Great but not perfect.

Rating: 8/10 (21 June 2019)

When the news broke that there was to be a fourth Toy Story I did worry that this was just a money making decision and not a creative one. However, the fourth film more than holds its own in the now quadriology. It is beautifully animated, the best quality Pixar film thus far. The story follows a similar format to the previous three, although there isn't a moment in this film when you truly feel the main characters are in any form of danger. It's nice to get an understanding of where Bo Peep disappeared to all those years ago. This really is Woody's film, the culmination of the past 24 years. Tom Hanks is, as you'd expect, great as Woody struggles to find a purpose now that Andy has gone and Bonnie doesn't require him quite so much. The new additions all play their part, Keanu Reeves, Jordan Peele & Keegan-Michael Key provide the majority of the humour ( and in parts this film is properly funny). Overall, the film is satisfying but it doesn't reach the perfection of its predecessors. Most of the main gang are sidelined during the film. Forky is quirky but at times I found him annoying. The ending felt a tad rushed and that blunted the emotional impact for me. I wasn't overly keen on the Gabby Gabby character either, I felt she was one new character too many. Overall though, another great entry in to the Pixar catalogue & if this really is goodbye it is a more than satisfying way to say it.