Toy Story 4 Review

 

 

The toys are back on the big screen in TOY STORY 4 and if you are a fan (Toy Story Fun Facts) of the first three Toy Story movies, you will love the latest in the series of one of Pixar’s most popular movie franchises.

About Toy Story 4: Woody (voice of Tom Hanks) has always been confident about his place in the world, and that his priority is taking care of his kid, whether that’s Andy or Bonnie. So, when Bonnie’s beloved new craft-project-turned-toy, Forky (voice of Tony Hale), declares himself as “trash” and not a toy, Woody takes it upon himself to show Forky why he should embrace being a toy. But when Bonnie takes the whole gang on her family’s road trip excursion, Woody ends up on an unexpected detour that includes a reunion with his long-lost friend Bo Peep (voice of Annie Potts). After years of being on her own, Bo’s adventurous spirit and life on the road belie her delicate porcelain exterior. As Woody and Bo realize they’re worlds apart when it comes to life as a toy, they soon come to find that’s the least of their worries.

 

Fans of the first three Toy Story movies will not be disappointed in Toy Story 4. The movie is filled with everything you expect from the Toy Story franchise: adventure, great camaraderie and team building amongst the toys and funny quips.

There are new toys and friends in Toy Story 4 starting with Bonnie’s new friend that she makes, literally “makes” in kindergarten orientation. Bonnie loves Forky even though he is not really a toy. Forky is is a spork covered with googly eyes, has pipe cleaner for arms and popsicles for feet. It’s pretty funny to see Bonnie interact with Forky. Oh, Kids!

But when Forky—Bonnie’s craft-project-turned-toy—declares himself trash and not a toy, Woody takes it upon himself to show Forky why he should embrace being a toy and stop throwing himself into the trash. These are some very funny scenes of Woody saving Forky from the trash heap.

“Alright, Forky. You have to understand how lucky you are right now. You’re Bonnie’s toy. You are going to help create happy memories that will last for the rest of her life.” —Woody, “Toy Story 4”

 

The adventure begins when Woody and the gang join Bonnie and her family on a road trip. Yes, a lot so hijinks ensue when Forky escapes the van and Woody goes to save him so Bonnie doesn’t lose it when she can’t find her beloved  new toy.

One of the key locations in the movie during the rescue adventure is an antique store, Second Chance Antiques. While searching for Forky, Woody just happens to see  his long-lost friend Bo Peep’s lamp in the antique store. He can’t help himself and goes in search of Bo Peep.

The antique store is where we are introduced to a host of new toys – Christina Hendricks as Gabby Gabby, Keanu Reeves as Duke Caboom and three evil ventriloquist dummies.

The scenes in the antique stores with Woody interacting with the new toys is both scary (yes scary) and hilarious. Did I mention the evil ventriloquist dummies who are actually Gabby Gabby’s henchmen? Even adults will be freaked out!! Be forewarned if you have younger kids, they may be freaked out by the ventriloquist dummies.

To counteract the scariness of the henchmen, we are introduced to Duke Caboom (voiced by Keanu Reeves) as a 1970s toy based on Canada’s greatest stuntman. I love that the Duke Caboom is Canadian playing into the fact that Reeves is Canadian – Yeah Canada! Duke riding his powerful Caboom stunt-cycle is always prepared to show off his stunt poses with confidence and swagger. This interlude of his stunts is hilarious.

However, Duke has an Achilles heel: He has never been able to do the awesome stunts advertised in his own toy commercial.

 

Leaving the antique store,  it’s all out race for Woody to save Forky and reunite with other toys including Buzz Lightyear. It’s a hilarious and raucous ride of an adventure which you will enjoy. And it goes without saying that there have to be some sentimental moments that will make you shed a tear or two. I won’t give it away but I did cry and if you don’t at least get a sniffle, you have no heart.

I totally recommend Toy Story 4 for everyone from 4 and up and I know there are people who were kids when this movie was introduced. You will not be disappointed.

 

 

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“Toy Story 4” opens in U.S. theaters on June 21, 2019

 

Disclosure: NYC Single Mom attended a screening of Toy Story 4 to facilitate this review. Opinions and tears are 100% my own.