Toy Story 4 is more like Toy Story 3.5

Rating: 8/10 (7 December 2019)

"Toy Story 4" comes almost 10 years after the third - and what I had presumed to be the final - instalment in the beloved Pixar franchise. Yet, somehow, it feels as if no time has passed at all. I didn't have a Buzz Lightyear-shaped hole in my heart because frankly, I was satisfied with the way the story of Andy's toys had concluded. More than satisfied. It was cathartic. It was the perfect ending.
So when the trailer for a fourth film came bounding out of Pixar's toy box, I was confused. Why would they make another? After all, there had been plenty of Toy Story animated shorts in the interim to answer any questions about how Woody and the gang have been getting on with life with their new owner, Bonnie.
But there is something about the craft of "Toy Story 4" that makes it impossible to dislike - even if it is arguably an unnecessary addition. It is ultimately Pixar at its best: a charming blend of terrific voice acting, groundbreaking animation, and a story that is fairly deserving of a place in the franchise.
So, the story. Simply put, Bonnie, Woody's new owner, makes a toy fork and brings it home. Forky runs away, Woody follows, adventure ensues. The plot is fine, and as usual it is undercut by a heart-warming message about what a "lost toy" really is. It works well.
It's the same rag-tag gang of toys, too, save for a brand new addition: a plastic fork. The purpose of said fork - named "Forky" - is not just to be the film's main form of comic relief, but also to help unfold this narrative about what it truly means to be a toy. I'll be honest, I didn't take well to the character, but I *get* what he brings to the narrative, and it's appreciated. In the same way, I appreciate the return of Bo Peep with her totally refreshed look and even more refreshing companionship which she provides Woody on this all-too-familiar adventure (I think I've tired of the 'toy-gone-bad-because-their-owner-treated-them-badly' narrative, but that's just me).
On the other hand (and what has really pulled that review from a generous "9" to a solid "8"), Buzz's character really lost me this time round. His confusion about the notion of an "inner voice" was poorly executed and kind of pushed him back in the direction that he's spent 3 films moving away from.
Much more can be said about the plot, but there is truly little to set it apart from the films that came before. What I will add is that Randy Newman's score is as prominent and brilliant as ever before - it's Newman at his best.
From an animation standpoint, TS4 is a visual masterpiece. It's so pleasing, so intricate, and so technically brilliant (lighting, I'm looking at you) that I almost missed the film's underlying flaws.
On the whole, TS4 is a truly excellent film, and certainly is worth your while. Simply put, it just doesn't live up to its meatier and more necessary predecessors - no matter how much I wanted to.