Film Review: Toy Story 4 Will Make You Cry
I am absolutely disgusted by Pixar’s innate ability to make me cry within 10 minutes of their films. I am a grown adult crying at a kids’ movie, but, truthfully, I was not alone. Toy Story 4 had not finished its intro before my waterworks ruptured and sniffles attacked grown people. While I was curious how Disney could make a story after Woody and Andy’s journey together ended, I foolishly did not realize that that, in itself, is a story.
If you have ever lost someone, whether through a fatal or simple end to the relationship, then you know, for awhile, your life feels purposeless. All your care, love, and attention was happily given to make this other person feel safe, loved, and happy. Woody (Tom Hanks) did that for Andy for nearly 2 decades and then it was over, life happened, both moved on, or, at least, Andy did. Toy Story 4 picks up right in the epicenter of Woody’s grief at realizing he doesn’t have a person that needs him anymore, which pushes him on a journey to see what he needs: which might be a new family/life with Little Bo Peep (Annie Potts).
Toy Story 4 | Official Trailer 2
What is so amazing about Toy Story 4 is how it makes you shamelessly care about its characters and their journeys. One of the toys broke a little in a scene, and I was ready to stop the movie and grab glue, a sewing kit, and fresh batteries. I was invested in these characters’ hearts; completely forgetting they were toys. Imagine if we could show and tell stories like that of people from all over the world and all walks of life; what compassion would this world reach! Such a capacity for care and empathy is ignited by Rashida Jones and Will McCormack’s writing; giving us a children’s movie that approaches adult grief with pure thoughtfulness.
TOY STORY 4 – 10 Minutes Clips + Trailers (2019)
It is so simple and has been told to us so many times in life; no one stays with you forever. Yet, one day, a person really is gone, and, lo and behold, new people come into your life to love; not in replacement of the one you lost but in memory of them. Frankly, I was surprised that Toy Story 4 was very Woody centric. While you see Buzz (Tim Allen), Jessie (Joan Cusack), and our favorite gang of toys, they are not as featured compared to other Toy Stories. This film is truly about Woody moving on, and, for that I love it. We get to laugh and meet characters like the hilarious, trash-obsessed Forky (Tony Hale), the tragic Gabby (Christina Hendricks), the “take no prisoners” Officer Giggle McDimples (Ally Maki), the “Oh Canada” daredevil Duke Kaboom (Keanu Reeves),and the comedically dynamic duo of Bunny And Ducky (Key & Peele). These characters are so memorable I could see a Toy Story 5 with all of them running through a carnival again, especially if Little Bo Peep and Woody guiding them.
Directed by Josh Cooley, visually, Toy Story 4 is stunning and crisp; making every scene’s beauty feel touchable. It was like a Dylan’s Candy Shop of color. Thus, it was hard not to pull for the romance between Little Bo Peep and Woody; two people learning to grieve and love again after the kids they loved grew up and went away. Such a story is not only fresh in its uncommon telling but needed. Everyone needs a film that tells them that after a loss will come a gain, and you will be happy again. Toy Story 4 does that and comes our June 21.
