Toy Story 4 – review

It has been nearly a decade between the release of Toy Story 3 and 4. The toys no longer live with Andy but are now owned by Bonnie, however Woody isn’t the favourite toy and he is struggling to adapt. Meanwhile Bo Peep has been living with no child for years as a ‘lost toy’. Maybe she can teach Woody something new?

While Toy Story 3 felt like a very satisfying end to the toys story, avoiding that incinerator is a fiery nightmare not easily forgotten. Toy Story 4 is very much a Woody solo story. The other toys have very little to do, Buzz doesn’t every have that many lines. But thankfully Woodys story of teaching Forky what it means to be a toy and Woody learning what it means to not be a toy is a strong enough adventure that makes Toy Story 4 a worthy addition to the franchise.

The animation is amazing, rain in a puddle and dust motes through a sunny window look real. The scale and depth of detail is very impressive. Sometimes you have to remind yourself that this is animated.

Everything we expect from Pixar is here, charm, humour, pathos. I do think that there is more for an adult to enjoy than child however. How much fun it is when you are an eight year old is questionable. The ideas of moving on, life changing and choosing romantic love over friendship, are all big, grown up themes. But it is enjoyable, which is pretty rare for a fourth movie instalment.