There's still some magic left in 'Toy Story 4'.

So old and so familiar and yet so fresh and new. Toy Story 4 offers a future development and possibly even a conclusion of the universe.

In the opening scene we are taken back 9 years, when Andy gave his toys to Molly. One evening, R.C nearly sinks, being swept away with the rain, Woody and other toys manage to rescue their friend, however, while being busy with the mission, Molly gives away her toys – Bo Peep and her sheep. Woody tries to stop them and save his friend, but Bo Peep explains to him that the part of being a toy is being taken away. Then the action goes back to the present - in its fourth installment, the events take place 2 years after Andy donated his toys to his younger sister, Bonnie.

The announcement of Toy Story 4 was not exactly met with universal enthusiasm. Many felt that the third part was a perfect ending and there simply wasn’t a need for the fourth installment, that it felt forced. And I myself was one of the skeptics – boy, I was wrong! As soon as the opening credits rolled and familiar faces appeared on the screen, I felt the nostalgic feeling, as if I was taken back to my childhood. I wondered if there was going to be anything more than nostalgia, and there was…

The animation progression is evident, even comparing the characters from the first movie (1996) to today’s version. The characters look almost identical, only more polished, more perfect. The surroundings around out animated characters are beautiful, the settings look realistic as if our favorite toys were walking inside the real world of ours, among the real trees, real stores, and real roads.

As a big plus the main cast - Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Bonnie Hunt and more all returned reprising their roles, providing so recognized and beloved voices, bringing back the magic of the original movies. There were also interesting new additions, such as Keanu Reeves and Christina Hendricks. For an animated movie, there couldn't have been a better cast then this ensemble. The big success of Toy Story 4 can be attributed to its writers - Andrew Stanton and Stephanie Folsom, as well as 8 other people co-credited for this achievement, including Parks & Recreation alumina Rashida Jones. The script was brilliant, smart and well-developed. It's a tricky job to write a continuation to what by many assumed series finale, but it was achieved here - working in so many ways.

The story itself feels satisfying – it answered the question that many kids, including myself, wondered about for all those years. What happened to Bo Beep? Why did she disappear so suddenly? The Toy Story universe was also expanded by introducing new characters, including Forky (who provided many some of the funniest moments and many laughs) or Gabby (starting off as a villain, shows her humanity as the story progress), as well as developing its older, well-known characters. The main character Woody has seen such rare character development for an animated film. It is so evident that Toy Story 4 was created post the #MeToo era, and that reflects even if subtly in the newest Pixar movie – female characters being constantly at the forefront of the movie.

Toy Story 4 was a charming adventure, and not only for kids but also for adults. It wasn’t only playing for laughs offering funny moments, it was much more than that – combining dramatic story arc and even some creepy moments and situations, it felt like the most mature and adult-like movie of the series. Despite all doubts, the risk that creators took with this film paid off. Smartly executed and so magical, this is another big win for Disney and Pixar. It wouldn't be such a bad thing after all if the fifth part was announced.

4.5/5

#toystory #tomhanks #2019 #timallen #keanureeves #christinahendricks #disney #pixar #rashidajones #animation