Once more, Pixar digs back into the toy box with Toy Story 5, directed by returning writer Andrew Stanton. For a franchise three decades old, it’s astonishing that these toys still have some play left in them. The times are changing for the toys of Bonnie’s room. Playtime seems to be going well under the leadership of Jessie, once more voiced by Joan Cusack. There might even be a marriage proposal in her future as Buzz Lightyear, played by Tim Allen, prepares to pop the question to Jessie. But the many toys once more find their existence threatened. This time, it’s the terror of technology.
The toys are tossed aside as Bonnie embraces the electronic appeal of the tablet Lily. Armed with numerous games and an Internet connection to group chats, Lily has everything the toys fear they do not. Unlike past villains, there’s no threat of Lily being discared so quickly or worry of being powered down anytime soon. She is pompous, but also still holds the philosophy of the other toys, that Bonnie comes first. When Bonnie struggles to make friends, the conflict becomes far more personal and emotional than old toys versus new tech.
There is a lot going on in this movie, given that the ensemble has ballooned to an absurd degree. Jessie still hasn’t gotten over the heartbreak of being abandoned. As her memories drift back to her first owner, she is forced to confront her past. That’d be enough of an arc, but it’s compounded by her relationship with other technology. A commonality she shares is that electronic devices for kids also get tossed aside, even worse than toys.
Consider the plight of the potty-training Smarty Pants, played by Conan O’Brien, a technology built for usage of the toilet. Having served his purpose, this character has experienced what all toys fear in record time. It’s also a chance for Jessie to open up to these odd folks about the joys of playtime.
As if that weren’t enough, there’s the continued rivalry between Woody and Buzz, with Woody once more voiced by Tom Hanks. The two still try to assert their dominances when handling the latest threat to their existence. It would seem tiresome if it weren’t for the effortless charisma between the two. There’s more than nostalgia amid their reunion, even if they do spout a few familiar phrases.
And as if the many additional toy characters weren’t enough, there’s an entire C plot about some high-tech Buzz Lightyears lost at sea. Their adventure could’ve made for a sweet short film. Thankfully, they do serve a purpose as the intersection between old toys and new technology. They’re also pretty funny when their first words are limited to “Star Command.”
The biggest problem with the Toy Story movies is that there’s just too many toys. While the original characters remain, like the pensive Rex and snarky Hamm, they have so little to do this time around. Bonnie might still be playing with these toys, but the movie seems to favor them less. It’s honestly surprising the casting bothered to bring back voice actors like Wallace Shawn and John Ratzenberger with so little dialogue.
Despite how much of the characters get pushed to the background, what remains front and center still works. There is so much going on, but the core mission remains with ensuring the development and happiness of Bonnie. Like concerned parents, the high-tech Lily and low-tech Jessie want what is best for Bonnie. The toys want Bonnie to connect with other kids, but realize they might not be enough on their own. Lily believes she is improving Bonnie’s socializing with group chats and online games, but didn’t expect the isolation and shame this obsession might bring. The toy and tech characters that converse in corners fear not so much being abandoned by Bonnie, but not being good enough. It’s a compelling concern that makes words like “obsolete” and “useless” dirty words in the domestic world of manufactured protagonists.
But even with all these weighty themes, Toy Story 5 is still fun. The comedic banter of the toys remains as clever and zippy as ever. Their antics are at their best in the handful of imaginative play sequences, where they really ham up their roles. Every scenario from a wedding drama to a spy thriller, is adorned in colorful visuals and absurd twists. There’s a handful of in-jokes for the parents involving dated technology and an unfortunate name for a pig. Even the many potty jokes of Smarty Pants didn’t grow stale with the sparing usage of easy gags that are guaranteed to make children giggle.
While the characters and comedy remain as strong as ever, the driving force of these movies is their embrace of creative play. The fear of losing that sense of imagination is not just a concern that has cropped up in the digital age. As far back as the advent of television and video games, there has always been a worry about how much development children receive through play. Today’s parents can feel a bit more reassured by the Toy Story movies, for never losing that focus. Even with the addition of a tablet foe for this sequel, that genuine spirit of wonder hasn’t diminished. That devotion to how children feel and grow still brings tears to a film like this.
Whatever picture the marketing might’ve painted, Toy Story 5 is more emotionally and thematically meaty than a battle against screentime. Even with the attachment that older audiences have to these Pixar icons, it’s not about the toys. It’s about giving children something relatable, amusing, and healthy to watch beyond the abundance of slapstick and silliness. The animation has improved, and there are some hilarious new additions to the cast, despite the story becoming crowded and the arcs being reduced.
For a film franchise that has been around this long, it’s still refreshing to know the heartfelt batteries still have some juice left in them. Toy Story 5 is a comforting return to some familiar friends, ready to be played with by the next generation.
Director: Andrew Stanton (with Kenna Harris serving as co-director)
Screenwriters: Andrew Stanton, Kenna Harris
Cast: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Conan O’Brien, Scarlett Spears, Greta Lee, Shelby Rabara, Mykal-Michelle Harris, Craig Robinson, Lori Alan, Jay Hernandez, Bonnie Hunt, Kristen Schaal, Tony Hale, John Hopkins, Wallace Shawn, Ernie Hudson, Krys Marshall, Jeff Bergman, Blake Clark, Anna Vocino, Bad Bunny, Jerome Ranft, Annie Potts, Matty Matheson, John Ratzenberger, Keanu Reeves, Melissa Villaseñor, Alan Cumming
