Woody takes a look at his life

Rating: 7/10 (14 February 2020)

Toy Story 4
Directed by Josh Cooley. Written by John Lasseter, Andrew Stanton, Josh Cooley, Valerie LaPointe, Rashida Jones, Will McCormick, Martin Hynes and Stephany Folsom

Whew boy that is a lot of writers for this thing. It is usually not a good sign when you see that many writers are involved in a project. It is also not usually a good sign for a sequel to come after a movie that ended so perfectly. I'm talking about Toy Story 3 which had the most beautiful and perfect ending. Where do you go from there? What story is left to tell?
It turns out this is more story for Woody. He has always been about the other toys. At least since the ending of Toy Story one that is. He has been looking out for his kid's needs. Toy Story 4 starts out with Woody looking after Bonnie even though she has tired of him as children are wont to do. Being left out is not something that Woody is used to. He doesn't quite know how to handle it other than looking after his kid and whatever she needs. She creates a new friend named Forky who just wants to be in the trash.
This movie is really about thinking about the past and the choices you make and the path that leads you down. Woody finds himself with a second chance with Bo Peep. This is Woody's story. The other Toy Story movies have dealt more with an ensemble and even with Buzz and Jessie but this time this is all Woody. He begins his existential journey and I understand how bizarre that sounds when describing a family film but we are talking about Pixar. This is not that out of the ordinary. Pixar likes to make their stories have more meaning than just the surface.
This is also a very funny film. Forky's antics constantly trying to get himself thrown away had me laughing a few times. Duckie and Bunny are pretty funny as well but then again they are voiced by Key and Peele. Those guys are hysterical. The dummies were suitably creepy. Gabby Gabby is villainous but not quite. There are more dimensions to her than just being angry at a kid who threw her away. All these elements are in full display in this movie. It is a solid film.
It has the necessary moments that you've come to expect from a Pixar film. Something is missing though. It might be because of emotional resonance that the other Toy Story movies have that this one seems to lack. It tries for the romance between Woody and Bo Peep but I'm not entirely sure that made the impression on me the film might have wanted to. I can't fault Pixar for sticking to a formula with these movies but I think this is it. This series has completed its journey. There is nothing left to mine here. I give this film a B.