Toy Story 4 released this weekend, and going in I was both excited and scared. While Pixar generally puts out good films, this would be the fourth installment in the Toy Story franchise. After the third, many believed the story was over. Some were even angry at the announcement of the fourth film. Until Forky had been introduced, I was one of those people as well.
Regardless, this film was amazing. The ending was somehow more fulfilling than the third. The animation has improved so much over the course of the series. The music was, as always, amazing. I wasn’t sure what to expect despite them keeping some similar beats to keep true to Toy Story fashion.
I was partially correct in my predictions based on the previous films but was happy to see I was also wrong. The story writing team really knew which plot points would work and which wouldn’t.
The new characters were all endearing in their own ways. I feel that none of them had too much screen time. The focus was still very much on Woody, despite so many characters to meet and a large world to explore. Additionally, I feel that a road trip was the most proper way to expand the world once again, as we got small sections of the city Andy lived in throughout the first three, and moving across the state or country was only proper.
The animation and lighting have improved so much that I was sitting there gasping at things like water, background blur, and hair follicles. It was a small detail but the fact that I could see those details just amazed me.
All in all, the film is certainly worth a watch. It gives a compelling story with a more fulfilling ending than the previously believed end, the animation is beautiful, and the score is a masterpiece.
