Review of Toy Story 4 (2019) by Thequietgamer — 28 Jun 2019

This might be my favorite Toy Story thematically. It hit me right where I live. These films (and Pixar's catalog as a whole) have always had elements aimed at a larger crowd than the children that are the target audience at face value, but this is the first one that seems so directly focused on those who grew up on with these characters. It actually feels like the kids might have been a little bit of an afterthought.

You can dive really deep into all of the stuff going on with the messages and morals. The movie has things to say about body image, suicide, and self-worth, all of which stems from the main theme of desiring romantic love. While it's pretty subtle with the darker, more complex stuff Toy Story 4 is a bit on the nose when it comes to the lesson of not giving up on finding someone. I mean there's a point where Woody literally says something along the lines of "there are other kids out there" in an obvious nod to the old saying "there are other fish in the sea.".

I'll admit, I unfortunately have to count myself among the portion of the fan base this was trying to reach and I definitely felt like Pixar was beating me over the head with their message. Yet, I don't hold anything against the movie for that as it was strangely comforting to see the characters I grew up with suffering alongside of me. There's a catharsis to Toy Story 4's bluntness that allowed real emotion to pour out of me (I never full on cried, but tears did slip out of me). I may not agree with the final imparting that everything will end up being okay and someone will finally desire to be with me as to say that is ignoring the bitter harshness of reality, but this is a movie and an animated family one at that. Escapism is just part of the deal.

Of course on top of all that depth is a hilarious and sometimes harrowing ride. One that's gorgeously animated and perfectly voice acted. There's a real sense of danger running throughout that honestly made me think not all of these toys were going to make it out alive. The "villain" of the movie is one of the most sympathetic characters I've ever experienced. The very embodiment of what it feels like to shoot for love only to end up rejected time and time again. Every tear I shed was the result of literally being able to feel exactly what she and everyone else was going through. There's such a power to the writing hidden under the unassuming veneer of comedy and cuteness.

To think I went into this a little bit worried that it would undo the excellence of Toy Story 3 and it's ending. 4 however completely justifies its existence and concludes in a manner that's just as satisfying. It's hard to say how it stacks against its predecessors, but on its own rights it's an emotional and joyous adventure. One that made me laugh, absolutely wrecked me, and gave me the tools to help me put myself back together. Essentially everything I could ask for from another Toy Story.