Toy Story 4

I had fairly neutral expectations for this summer's TOY STORY 4.  Not low, mind you, as the Pixar team had never let me down before, at least with this series.  But TS 3 was capped so perfectly, an emotional powderkeg that brought the adventures of Woody et al. to a highly satisfying conclusion.  One which considered one's purpose in life so accurately that there just didn't seem anything left to say in this milieu.  How could they top it?  Have they?

I dunno, but I can tell you that TOY STORY 4 is a smashingly good film.  You could argue that it is unnecessary, another yarn spun from a satisfactorily concluded narrative.  If these guys continue to make films this good, there can be a TOY STORY 15 if they wish.

Woody has spent several years with Bonnie, who assumed he and his other toy friends from Andy in part three.  Lately Bonnie has been neglecting him during playtime.  He's a bit hurt, but his dedication remains steadfast when he sneaks into her backpack to accompany her to kindergarten orientation.  Woody knows the shy Bonnie may need some support in a new environment.   After Woody rescues some art supplies from the waste paper basket, Bonnie discovers them and creates a new toy - "Forky", made of a spork and pipe cleaner.  She may not engage with the other kids, but she now has a new friend.  Woody has again served his master.

But Forky, who comes alive on the way home, proves not only to be generally irritating, but mired in self-destruction.  He believes he is "trash", destined to be discarded.  His repeated attempts at jumping into waste receptacles and garbage cans provides laughs but also some existential pondering.  At least by the adults in the audience.

And there were plenty of them (many sans kids) at my matinee.  THE TOY STORY franchise has always had widespread appeal.  Its gentle (and often very funny) observations about self esteem and teamwork are universal, and within this kidfilm framework it always comes off as imaginative and respectful of its viewers, no matter what age.

Where was I? Oh yes.  So Bonnie's family takes a week long road trip with toys in tow, of course.  Forky still wants to be in a refuse bin ("it's so comfortable") and bails out the window, with Woody in pursuit.  This will touch off another rousing adventure in unfamiliar locations.  There will be many new characters and a reunion with some old faves we didn't see in TOY STORY 3.  The villains are inspired and will be downright terrifying (yet hilariously so) to some.  I'd love to tell you more but this, perhaps more than any of the previous TOY STORY films, is all about surprises, even if the eventual lessons are familiar.  We need to be reminded of them.  TS 4 is not as emotionally wrenching as TS 3, but there are a few moments where holding back tears is futile.  The climax is also of the highest Lump in Throat variety.

Director Josh Cooley and his team have created a truly stunningly animated movie, with outdoor scenes looking quite real at times and the lighting and shading beyond masterful.  I say this about all of these films, but this one sets new watermarks in every possible way.   I am not opposed to seeing it bested again in another ten years.