Toy Story 5 – do we need it? One worries for the narrative integrity of characters when an IP is thrashed to death like this. The latest instalment, however, does address one of the most pressing dilemmas of modern childhood (screen time) and whether it will be the end of toys. (‘Extinction… Not again!’ cries Rex, the dinosaur.)
It is timely, with some delicious touches – Woody now has a bald spot
So it is timely, with some delicious touches – Woody now has a bald spot. And while it isn’t as entertaining as the first three and stumbles at the finishing line, it may be better than the fourth, with its horrible doll Gabby Gabby. In other words, I’d advise you to steer clear of the ‘it should have stopped at three’ crowd on Reddit, as they seem highly aggressive and is this really the hill you want to die on?
This one is written and directed by Andrew Stanton and McKenna Harris, with a score by Randy Newman and an original song from Taylor Swift (‘I Knew It, I Knew You’) which, considering what it must have cost, doesn’t figure memorably, but it may be the kind to grow on you.
Our favourite toys still belong to Bonnie, and the gang is all here: Mr Potato Head, Slinky, Forky, as well as cowgirl Jessie (Joan Cusack) who moves front and centre with her abandonment issues, and spaceman Buzz (Tim Allen).
At the end of the fourth film (keep up) Woody (Tom Hanks) had opted not to be anyone’s toy anymore, even though he had been devoted to his kid, and I was pleased to see him break free. (For Toy Story 766, perhaps they could all rise up like in Animal Farm? That would be an interesting twist.) For now, Woody is a ‘lost toy’ who helps other lost toys find homes but he’s only a Fisher-Price walkie-talkie call away should his old friends need him, and of course they do.
Bonnie has been given a Lilypad tablet and is immediately obsessed and stops playing with her toys. Woody is summoned – who not only has a bald spot but also, when he forgets to suck it in, a paunch. His stuffing has gone to his middle. Happens to us all. As the toys seek to fight their obsolescence, the predominant mode is that of an action caper, which works at the expense of character. The film is also busy with subplots. There’s a consignment of 50 Buzz toys that have washed up on a desert island and are making their way to Bonnie’s. There’s a girl across town who lives in what was once Emily’s house – Jessie’s first kid – and if only her and Bonnie could meet, they’d make the ideal pals, but as social lives are now all online, how might they connect for real?
The emotional depth we’ve come to expect often veers into sentimental territory and the ending is weak
It is still superb to look at, even though it’s starting to feel a little generic. And while I believe there were some decent jokes, I can’t recall them. Most frustratingly the emotional depth we’ve come to expect often veers into sentimental territory and the ending is weak. But as this is the franchise that essentially saw off handdrawn animation I suppose we can’t expect it to come out strongly against the negative impact of new technology. Because nostalgia now plays such a large part – it is like meeting old friends – this is a story that’ll probably never be over and will run and run regardless.
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