A sequel that I never knew we needed, but am definitely glad was made

Rating: 9/10 (20 June 2019)

Toy Story 4 is the fourth film in the Toy Story series and Pixar's 21st film overall. Directed by Pixar storyboard artist Josh Cooley and featuring the voices of Tom Hanks and Tim Allen, it is a sequel that I never knew we needed, but am definitely glad was made.
Two years after the events of Toy Story 3, Woody (voiced by Tom Hanks), Buzz (voiced by Tim Allen), and the rest of Andy's former toys have adjusted to their new lives with their current owner Bonnie. However, over time, Bonnie has neglected playing with Woody in favour of the other toys, and this causes him to reminisce over his old friend Bo Peep (voiced by Annie Potts), who was sold off to a mysterious buyer several years ago. One day, Bonnie brings home a new toy she made out of a plastic spork named Forky (voiced by Tony Hale), who believes that being played with is not his purpose but instead is merely "trash". After Forky and the rest of the toys are taken on a roadtrip with Bonnie and her family, Forky runs away and it is up to Woody to find him before Bonnie discovers he is lost.
As heartfelt as its predecessors, Toy Story 4 is one of the greatest unexpected sequels ever conceived and adds so much more to its already long lasting legacy. Just because the toys' time with Andy is over, does not mean that there aren't any more stories to be expanded upon. Anybody who thought Toy Story 3 could not be topped with its touching ending needs to think again. This ending was so poignant that it reportedly reduced Tom Hanks and Tim Allen to tears while they were recording for Woody and Buzz, respectively, and it is easy to see why after watching. The vocal performances of these two veterans certainly hasn't dulled over the past 24 years and they sound as lively as ever, alongside newcomers to the series. This film also features the vocal talents of comedians Key & Peele as the hilarious stuffed toy duo Ducky and Bunny, who provide some great comic relief, as well as Keanu Reeves voicing Duke Caboom, a toy Canadian stuntman struggling with his own personal insecurities. In addition to all this, the beautiful animation and use of colour truly shines this time around and it shows how far Pixar have come since their feature film debut with the original Toy Story back in 1995. Will there be a Toy Story 5 in the near future? As this film has proven, we just may end up needing one after all.
I rate it a solid 9/10