We got a full trailer for Toy Story 5, and I have to say, I am intrigued. It’s no secret that the idea of a 5th Toy Story is something most people approach with hesitation. Heck, I wrote a whole article addressing my concerns for the movie back when the first teaser came out. However, with a clearer look at the film and what its focus is, I feel that it might actually work out.
Over the past few years, people have complained to no end about Toy Story 4 and how “it ruined the ending of the series” and “doesn’t feel like a Toy Story movie” even though, at least from my perspective, a lot of the discourse is either extreme overexaggeration of minor issues or just a stubborn refusal to meet the movie on its own terms. Online discourse sort of poisons the well regarding the discussion of films since it usually pivots to extremes. It’s no different here since another Toy Story film seems ridiculous even after the 4th tried to put an even more definitive close to the series. But even so, I will argue that there hasn’t been a bad Toy Story film yet, and I am open to this one being good.
The focus of this film is the rise of technology having a huge role in the lives of kids, and how the Toy Story world would react and have to adapt to such a huge shift in childhood dynamics. So many parents just hand kids a tablet or phone from day one, and most of their free time is on their devices. It’s not to say that there isn’t value in using the technology, but it’s gotten to a point where many are concerned regarding balance and growth with how much screen time is typically used by the average kid these days. The fact that one of the biggest animated film franchises for kids will be addressing this topic head-on, honestly, makes Toy Story 5 a film that has something to say as long as it sticks the landing and could be important given how many kids and families still watch the series.
In the film, the toys have to deal with Bonnie getting a new tablet called LilyPad, who wants to encourage more screentime and push toys out of the way as she sees them as unnecessary to the needs of a modern playtime. We even see that Bonnie struggles to make friends with other kids with her toys, as they all use tablets, which is probably why she asks for one herself. The lead this time around is Jessie. After being given the role of head toy, she has to figure out how to navigate this new obstacle and likely come into her own as a leader. Given that the last film barely focused on her and she was important but still secondary in the other movies, I’d say that she’s overdue to be the main focus of the film. It seems that she is going to go through a similar conflict that Woody had when Buzz arrived in the first film, where she has to adapt and grow while facing a new challenge to the status quo.
The big question about this film before this trailer was about Woody. In 4, he decided to leave the gang to be with Bo Peep and have a more fulfilling life helping lost toys. Many assumed that he would be coming back without an explanation, especially since the initial teaser’s just showed him being back with the other toys. However, I feel they were overreacting, and the new trailer proved it by showing that he’s only coming back to help his friends, and the ending of the last film isn’t just magically reset. It does feel that the shift in focus with the characters does mean we might get more interesting and new dynamics, considering how Woody and/or Buzz have been the leads of the last 4 movies, but now seem to be supportive.
The usual cast is back as expected. Notably, most of them do sound even older than before (which, granted, makes sense, most of them are in their 60s to 80s at this point). However, I feel that it might add to the film since age and wear is an element the toys are confronting in the face of tech crowding them out. Rounding out new additions, Greta Lee of Past Lives fame will play LilyPad, Conan O’Brien, Craig Robertson, and Shelby Rabara will play a group of small electronic toys that help Jessie. The most interesting part, though, is the castings that will voice old characters. Timothy Dalton won’t be coming back, which just highlights to me the issue of trying to get big names for characters that have 10 lines tops. However, the others will be replacing actors who have sadly passed. Ernie Hudson will replace Carl Weathers as Combat Carl after he voiced him in 4 and the Halloween special. Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head will be recast with noted voice actors who will be imitating Don Rickles and Estelle Harris. While it is a bit somber to see these long-time characters be recast, especially Don, since they tastefully used archival recordings in 4 for his character, it’s understandable to pass these characters on in some manner, especially since it was already done with Jim Varney and Slinky back in 3.
Overall, I feel that Toy Story 5 might actually be really good. It all depends on if it sticks the landing, but I do have confidence. It’s no secret that Toy Story 4 had a troubled production. Between taking years of development to get going, John Lasseter (who spearheaded the project initially) getting kicked out of Pixar for his misconduct, and even the initial team of writers leaving the studio due to John’s aforementioned behavior and the issues with culture at the studio. All things considered, it’s miraculous it ended up being good, even if it didn’t quite feel like it hit like the original 3. 5, however seems to have all the cards in its favor. Not only has it had a smooth production, but it has longtime director Andrew Stanton in charge. Given his track record of the Finding Nemo films and Wall-E, as well as the fact that he has been heavily involved with all 4 of the other Toy Story films, I’d say he’s a good fit. His direction really pops since there are a lot of well-framed shots that take advantage of it being animated to make it look really good and cinematic. Even the paintbrush style during the playtime scene shows a lot of confidence and how, even 30 years later, Toy Story is still pushing forward the technology of computer animation. But even beyond a strong head and good direction, the focus on the issues of technology with kids and having Jessie, a character who has so much potential for great pathos, as the lead means that the movie could hit really hard emotionally and thematically.
I still want original and new things out of Pixar. The fact that they became the sequel factory in the 2010s, with most of their output being average, dampened the studio’s reputation and overall output. The days of Pixar being kings of animation are kind of over (mostly because of Disney’s handling, the aforementioned culture problems, and that families don’t go to theaters for most animated films as much due to streaming, but that’s another conversation). However, if we are going to get a sequel, it better be something worthwhile and interesting, and we might have something here. This might be one of the first big movies to really focus on how technology has affected kids and their habits, and I personally believe that it’s an important thing to give focus to. Media can impact culture, and if this movie portrays this issue in a nuanced and interesting way, it might help some kids. It’s a big thing to say, especially with how Disney as a company has played into these issues, including their recent embrace of AI. However, I know that kids can still take important things away from the media they watch, regardless of where it comes from. Not to mention that the artists at the studio probably have a more reasonable perspective and message regarding the issue they want to put in the movie that isn’t influenced by upper management. Given the state of what kids consume online, I feel that anything that tries to say something meaningful is genuinely important for younger audiences, and if this movie does get a good message across, then it will mean a whole lot. Just don’t try to sell a replica LilyPad Disney. I know for a fact you have considered it, and it would be very ill-advised.
