Almost the best but not quite

Rating: 7/10 (22 June 2019)

The previous Toy Story films are some of the best animated films ever made. While the fourth installment is far from bad it doesn't live up as much to its predecessor. In the beginning of the film you see Woody struggle with not being the main toy played with yet he doesn't get jealous or angry showing how much the character has grown over the franchise. When Bonnie brings home forky woody makes it his job to look after him because he has nothing else to do. Forky is a great addition to the group, he is very funny and bring in some deep existential questions and choices that make this a very mature tone for the G rated film. However when forky jumps out of the car and woody saves him and explains to him what its like to be a toy, forkys arch ends there and he becomes a plot devices that the hero's have to get. It is great to see woody reunited with bo peep, showing the now very different lives they lead. When buzz goes looking for woody he gets some hilarious laughs and picks up new and interesting characters. While it is great to see the new characters that are multi dimensional and all have goal and an arch the film puts all of the original characters to the side with some loved characters only getting a few lines. Normally I would be fine with this but since this is the last movie in the franchise it would be nice to show more of the old characters. The villain is actually scary and has realist goals and motivations however she is not really a bad guy and half way through the third act she becomes a good guy leaving the final at with no villain or challenging obstacles. The ending is the main reason why this film isn't as good as the others. The ending of the third film was amazing and tear jerking leading me to believe that the end of the franchise would have a sadder ending, while the ending does shed tear after the film was over I had felt cheated. When woody decided to leave and stay with Bo Peep he says good bye to all of the old gang however this was a spilt decision and the goodbyes are quick without as much emotionally gravity. It also seems out of character for Woody because he doesn't even see Bonnie before he leaves. Also bo Peep could have easily gone with woody because she has nothing holding her to the carnival while woody has friends and family at Bonnies that Bo Peep knows. The movie overall was a lot of fun and had some great themes the only thing holding it back was the rushed ending.