Toy Story 5 Review: Pixar Officially Justifies Another Franchise Sequel - MCE Notices | California State Portal

The Toy Story franchise has already had two strong finales, with Toy Story 3 ending Andy’s story and Toy Story 4 (seemingly) ending Woody’s. Hearing of Toy Story 5 seemed like an unnecessary surprise to the beloved series that made Pixar famous, but it capitalizes on an issue that needs attention.

Toy Story 5 does a lot that’s different in its latest chapter while also sticking to what worked in the past, and that works perfectly for the film’s strengths. It’s not perfect in the traditional sense, but there’s a timeless quality in its message that makes this a must-see film for families.

Toy Story 5 Tells a Familiar Story From a New Perspective

Toy Story 5 reintroduces Bonnie and her toys to audiences and explores the struggles she has with making friends. To help, her parents get her a tablet called Lilypad to help her connect with more kids her age. In many ways, it works, but it also separates Bonnie from her toys and the true concept of playing.

There are a lot of similar qualities between Toy Story and Toy Story 5, with the most obvious being a new “toy” coming into the picture and replacing what came before. But rather than show the struggles of this between the toys, it adds the importance of the child they’re tasked with taking care of.

Both Jessie and Lily want what’s best for Bonnie, and that’s what puts them at odds because neither is perfect in their tactics, but both are stronger together than apart. Given it’s a children’s film, it’s also not a surprise how hard the movie has to drive home the dangers of tech. All these elements work together to deliver a story where the struggles of being replaced are revisited, but now Bonnie plays a larger role.

If there’s one thing Toy Story 5 excels at more than any other Toy Story movie, it’s how much focus Bonnie is given. It’s rare that these films truly take into account the human component, but without Bonnie, Toy Story 5 wouldn’t exist in every sense, and it offers a fresh look at the series that not only revitalizes it but also justifies why a fifth film needed to happen.

Toy Story 5’s Cast Gets a Surprising Mix-Up

Image via Pixar

For four films, the Toy Story movies have had a specific focus on Buzz and Woody’s relationship as they struggle with the hurdles of being lost, growing up without Andy, and ultimately having to leave one another for a new path. But rather than continue that trend, Toy Story 5 makes a daring move by focusing on another equally important character: Jessie.

Toy Story 5 is 100% Jessie’s film and, by extension. Bullseye, and her own trauma of being let go by her original owner, Emily. Jessie never quite got over that feeling when it happened the first time, and it remained a sore spot with her throughout the other films. Toy Story 5 finally gave her the agency she always needed to take charge and make a difference in another child’s life.

There are some other strange additions that ultimately pay off in the end, such as the army of new hi-tech Buzz Lightyears and Lilypad, who goes through her own arc without making the plot feel overstuffed. Even the more tech-based characters like Smarty Pants are fun new additions that may seem like added set dressing at first but really deliver by the end.

Of course, Buzz and Woody, while taking a backseat in this film, are still present and a delight to see on screen. Their arcs, especially Woody’s, aren’t as important, but they are nice to see. It feels like a long-awaited reunion for lifelong Toy Story fans and continues the notion that friendships don’t have to end forever even if they’re apart, something adults need to hear sometimes.

Toy Story 5 Has the Franchise’s Most Heartfelt Message

Toy Story 5 Jessie and Lilypad — Jessie and Lilypad in Toy Story 5

Every Toy Story film explores necessary messages about acceptance, change, and the importance of knowing when to grow up and pass on certain things to a younger generation. Toy Story may be about toys, but they’re the most mature family films ever, and Toy Story 5 is no different; in fact, it may be the most heartfelt message of all the movies.

More than anything, Toy Story 5 isn’t an attack on tech and combating the death of toys and the idea of playing. While these are topics that must be discussed, it’s more so about the importance of human connection and how toys can bring that together more than any tablet could. Bonnie needs friends, and that’s the only goal all the toys have in mind, and that alone is what makes Toy Story 5 so special.

Tech and toys will always be together and technically have been for the better part of the 21st century, but that doesn’t mean one needs to replace the other. The goal of all toys is to inspire imagination, bring like-minded people together, and, hopefully, form lifelong friendships. Toy Story 5 doesn’t outright say tech is evil. It’s inevitable. But through the plot point of technology, it reminds kids and adults that absolutely nothing will ever beat the importance of human connection.