Toy Story 4

Rating: 7/10 (6 July 2019)

The original three Disney Pixar films are fantastic, there were people that were sceptical that it should have remained a trilogy. The cast and crew claim this will be the final film in the series, and it went on to break the world record for biggest box-office opening for an animated movie. Basically, nine years ago, when Woody (Tom Hanks) and the gang were still with Andy, there is a rescue operation to save R.C. from being washed away in a drain. While the toys save the remote-controlled car, they are unable to stop Bo Peep (Annie Potts) and her sheep being given away by Andy's sister Molly. Woody tries to convince Bo Peep to escape and stay, but she reassures him that she will be fine, and he knows he cannot go with her, because Andy still needs him, so they bid each other farewell. Two years after Andy gave his toys away to Bonnie (Madeleine McGraw), Woody and the gang have settled and are happy in their new life. But Woody has been neglecting Woody recently, and he observes that she is overwhelmed about starting kindergarten. Woody sneaks into Bonnie's backpack, hoping he will help her cope, he watches her become nervous and almost cry during an arts and crafts session. Woody covertly sneaks materials, including pipe cleaners and googly eyes, along with a spork, Bonnie turns the spork into a handmade toy she names "Forky". Forky (Tony Hale) comes to life in Bonnie's backpack, shocking Woody, he introduces him to the other toys back at home. But Forky experiences an existential crisis, he believes himself to be trash and continually tries to throw himself in the garbage, and Woody repeatedly retrieves him. Bonnie and her parents go on a road trip, Forky throws himself out of the window, forcing Woody to follow him out. While walking to return to Bonnie, Woody explains why he makes Bonnie happy, he accidentally mentions Andy during this. Forky becomes enthusiastic about being Bonnie's toy, and they eventually reach the RV park where Bonnie's family are staying. But Woody spots Bo Peep's lamp in the window of an antique store, he sneaks inside, with Forky following, hoping to find Bo inside. Woody and Forky encounter a doll named Gabby Gabby (Christina Hendricks) and her creepy ventriloquist's dummies, the Bensons. Gabby offers to take them to Bo, but her true plan is to obtain Woody's voice box, her own is broken and no child will purchase her. Woody and Forky, but they are separated, Woody is surprised to be reunited with Bo Peep at the playground, while Forky is captured by Gabby. Bo is now living a free lifestyle as a "lost" toy, but she agrees to help Woody save Forky and get back to Bonnie. Meanwhile, Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) searches for Woody on his own. In an earlier conversation, Woody claimed he had an "inner voice", Buzz mistakes him for meaning his voice box, so Buzz often presses his buttons, activating his own voice box phrases to use as guidance. Buzz accidentally causes himself to become a carnival prize at the fairground taking place between the RV park and the antique store. He escapes with plush toys Ducky (Keegan-Michael Key) and Bunny (Jordan Peele), and they meet up with Woody and Bo. Along with pocket toy cop Giggle McDimples (Ally Maki) (inspired by Polly Pocket) and Canadian stuntman toy Duke Caboom (Keanu Reeves) (a spoof of Evel Knievel), they try but again fail to rescue Forky. Woody tries to convince them to try again, but Bo is not willing for them to risk their lives again, she and the others leave when Woody indirectly insults her. Woody encounters Gabby Gabby again, who tells him of her longing to belong to the store owner's granddaughter, Harmony (Lila Sage Bromley.) Having been told about Andy by Forky, she convinces Woody to give her his voice box in exchange for Forky. Woody and Forky enter Bonnie's backpack, which she left at the store when she and the parents popped in. As Bonnie is retrieving it, Forky and Woody watch Harmony reject Gabby. Woody sends Forky back alone, with a message for Buzz to meet them at the carnival's carousel, while he comforts Gabby and invites her to become Bonnie's toy. While Bo meets with the gang and they head for the carnival, with Trixie (Kristen Schaal) impersonating the RV's GPS and others manipulating the RV controls. Gabby sees a crying girl lost in the carnival, Woody convinces her to approach the child, to find her and help her, the little girl is given confidence to approach a security guard and find her parents, the others are happy Gabby has found a new owner. At the carousel, Woody and Bo share a bittersweet goodbye. Buzz realises that Woody feels torn, and perhaps lost without Andy, he tells him that Bonnie will be okay without him. Woody decides to stay with Bo and gives his sheriff badge to Jessie (Joan Cusack). The RV departs, and Bonnie's toys leave with her. Woody, Bo, Giggle, Duke, Ducky, and Bunny continue to travel with the carnival, and help children to win prize toys. On her first day of first grade, Bonnie makes another new toy: a female plastic knife, to whom Forky eagerly introduces himself. Also starring Jay Hernandez as Bonnie's Dad, Lori Alan as Bonnie's Mom, Bonnie Hunt as Dolly, Emily Davis as Billy / Goat / Gruff, Wallace Shawn as Rex, John Ratzenberger as Hamm, Blake Clark as Slinky Dog, June Squibb as Margaret the Store Owner, Carl Weathers as Combat Carls, Don Rickles as Mr. Potato Head (archive sound), Jeff Garlin as Buttercup, Estelle Harris as Mrs. Potato Head, Laurie Metcalf as Andy's Mom, Mel Brooks as Melephant Brooks, Alan Oppenheimer as Old Timer, Betty White as Bitey White, Carl Reiner (Rob's father) as Carl Reineroceros, Bill Hader as Axel the Carnie, Patricia Arquette as Harmony's Mom, and Timothy Dalton as Mr. Pricklepants. The characters we have grown to love for the last twenty-four years all remain appealing, the new characters are likeable, the voice cast to bring them to life are great, it makes you laugh, and it tugs at the heart strings at the right moments. You could argue that Bo Peep's personality has changed significantly, there is that little something missing that causes it to be not quite as magical as the previous movies, and the ending is a little questionable, it is probably a good idea this will be truly the last film made, but I guess it concludes Woody's story, all in all, it is an enjoyable computer-animated comedy adventure. It won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature Film, and it was nominated for Best Original Song for "I Can't Let You Throw Yourself Away" by Randy Newman, it was nominated the BAFTA for Best Animated Featured Film, and the BAFTA Children's Award for Feature Film, and it was nominated the Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture - Animated. Very good!