When a new toy called “Forky” joins Woody and the gang, a road trip alongside old and new friends reveals how big the world can be for a toy.
It’s difficult not to be cynical these days about studios cashing in on franchises, remakes, and sequels. Most of this recycled output tends to lack the inspiration/creative spark of the original piece that spawned it. Pixar subverted that truism with “Toy Story 2,” which added depth and complexity to the established characters and story. But then the studio went on to make an inferior third part, as well as three lackluster “Cars” and the forgettable “Monsters University.” Its announcement about the fourth chapter of Woody & Co’s adventures was hence met with a healthy dose of suspicion. Cast your “sequelitis” fears aside, folks – “Toy Story 4” may just be the most visually-polished, succinct and entertaining addition to the series yet. With a plethora of new, lovable characters joining our old friends, this feels like a natural continuation of the saga as opposed to a dispassionate cash-grab.
Now owned – and neglected – by the adorable Bonnie (Madeline McGraw), Woody (Tom Hanks) projects his own insecurities onto her, desperately and forcefully trying to make sure she doesn’t feel alone. His shenanigans lead to Bonnie concocting a new anthropomorphic toy for herself on the first day of kindergarten. Barely glued together from pieces of trash, Forky (Tony Hale) becomes the little girl’s favorite thing ever, yet all he wants is to escape and return to his roots, a.k.a. the trash bin. When Bonnie’s parents take her on an RV road trip, Woody tags along, “rescuing” Forky over and over again, as the loopy lil’ guy attempts his getaway.
Things take a drastic left turn at an antique shop, where Woody’s old flame Bo Peep (Annie Potts) resurfaces, along with a wide-eyed doll, Gabby Gabby (Christina Hendricks), who has a broken voice-box and an entourage of hilariously sinister, limp-footed ventriloquist dummies. With Bonnie and his diminutive plastic/fluffy gang parked at a nearby funfair, Woody has to rescue a kidnapped Forky and confront his own insecurities. Good thing he has Bo Peep by his side, as well as a quirky crew of new friends. Amongst them: conjoined Bunny (Jordan Peele) and Ducky (Keegan-Michael Key), tiny Giggle McDimples (Ally Maki), and the Evel Knievel of action figures, Duke Caboom (Keanu Reeves).
Yet again, Pixar surpasses itself on the visual front. The attention to detail is breathtaking from the very first frame. Every wisp of the wind, every flutter of an eyelash or a muted glimpse of a car headlight in the foggy darkness is caught to photorealistic degree. Perhaps my favorite sequence involves Woody and Forky just walking down the side of a highway at deep dusk – an atmospheric reminder that Pixar’s at its best when it does “low-key.” The toys never looked so life-like; while their artificial skins may shine more radiantly – and their hair flutter more authentically – it’s the emotions they convey through the most miniature of gestures (befitting their miniature nature) that resonates the most. A true feast for all senses, “Toy Story 4” is an absolute triumph of computer animation, with nary a glimpse of the dreaded “uncanny valley” to be seen.
The tight plot zips along, every scene – scratch that – every SHOT brimming with ingenuity and clever asides. Bunny and Ducky’s evil attack plans alone would make a fantastic, side-splitting short film (laser eyes!). Unlike the previous entries, chapter four avoids (at least, for the most part) overt heart-on-the-sleeve sentiments – and is much more touching for it. Mind you, it still deals with mature themes of facing adulthood, making life-altering choices, sacrifice – even, arguably, middle-age crisis – but the story (credited to eight writers!) masterfully incorporates those concepts into the plot, never halting to finger-wag or tear-squeeze.
Hanks and Allen are ever-reliable as Woody and Buzz, respectively – although the latter gets sidelined to a side-quest of sorts. Keanu Reeves reinforces once again that 2019 is the Year of Reeves, stealing every scene he’s in as the motorcycle-loving Cabook, who never misses an opportunity to pose and has a dark past all of his own. I also can’t imagine anyone else but the magnificent Tony Hale voicing the slightly-demented Forky, bound to become one of 2019’s most beloved characters. Mel Brooks has a cameo as Melephant Brooks, and Betty White as Bitey White – and then, of course, there is Timothy Dalton, Jeff Garlin, Don Rickles, Carl Weathers, Bonnie Hunt, Laurie Metcalf – the list goes on and on.
Like all major studios, Pixar surely wants to capitalize on much-beloved characters. Unlike most major studios, they do so lovingly, crafting each element as if it were meant for their own children, and themselves. “Toy Story 4” is the purest fun I’ve had at the cinema all year. Now I have to take my daughter to see it.
In theaters Friday, June 21st
