TOY STORY 4   4.0****

After the release of Toy Story 2 in 1999, many believed the franchise had ended, until a third film came along over ten years later. Really putting a capper on the Toy Story story as fans knew it from its  beginning, Toy Story 3 (2010) seemed like a definitive conclusion. So why was a third instalment even in the works? Until the release of the movie, that was the question on many viewers' minds (especially Toy Story enthusiast). But being a Toy Story fan, I was of course  going to check this one out, and I'm glad that I did

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Toy Story 4 has earned a worthy place in the franchise in my eyes. Picking up pretty soon after the events of the third film, we now see how our favorite, loveable toys have moved on from their previous owner (Andy) and how they've settled in with their new one in Bonnie. Without getting into the specifics of how or why a new toy (Forky) is introduced,  I'll just simply state that Bonnie on her first day of Kindergarten builds him from things she found in the school trash can and he miraculously comes to life, giving Woody a new job, so to speak.

The plot really kicks into gear, however, when Forky is accidentally dropped from the family car onto the street during a family vacation car trip.. Woody leaps after him and the Woody/Forky excursion begins. Each toy has a moment to shine, but this truly is a film about Woody. Some may say that Buzz Lightyear doesn't get enough screen time and there is some repetition of lines of dialogue from previous movies throughout  the movie, but that would just be me complaining about an otherwise near-perfect animated film. I just have to be honest and say that any complaints would just be scratches on a canvas that was painted beautifully as a whole.

As always, the animation is astounding and life-like at times, which feels a little funny when comparing it to how simple the animation was in the original film.  On top of that, this is a film filled with heart, that cares about its characters, and even takes the time to introduce many new, memorable faces along the way. From Ducky and Bunny to Duke Caboom, these new characters will actually remain in my mind as memorable side characters, which is what many sequels fail to do these days. In the end, fans of the first three movies are more than likely going to love watching this instalment and newcomers will get a fresh story and fans of comedy will also get many clever laughs here as well. I'm not ready to call Toy Story 4 my favorite film of the franchise, but in terms of character progression, emotion, and an overall extremely enjoyable film, I have to say  that I loved it. 

Rated: G (probably the only movie this year to get a “G”)