The Toy Story franchise has taken us through various emotional rollercoasters, asking fundamental questions about friendships and growing up. The fifth installment asks “What happens when tech interrupts playtime?”
Dear friends, grab your popcorn (and, maybe some tissues) as we reunite with the Toy Story gang! We’ll get to see how Jessie, Woody, and Buzz deal with the new threat to playtime.
Here are High Five reasons why you should check out Toy Story 5!
Toys vs. Tech
Photo from Pixar
A little spoiler for the previous film in the series, but Toy Story 4 ended with Woody leaving behind Bonnie and the gang and accepting his new purpose—helping toys find their owners. With this changeup, Jessie becomes the new leader of the toy gang as Woody hands her the sheriff’s star badge, which, interestingly enough, becomes an important symbol in Toy Story 5.
The film starts with Bonnie’s usual playtime. We see her struggling to make friends and invite other kids to her house to play. The reason? Kids these days are more drawn to their gadgets. And surely enough, the toys have heard about it and have seen it too.
In order for Bonnie to ‘fit in’, she requested her parents to buy her a frog-themed tablet called Lilypad. While initially a technological wonder that helps Bonnie make friends online, Lilypad eventually becomes a problem when she neglects playtime and uses the gadget more and more. The film tackles this conflict realistically, showing us the modern state of playtime as technology becomes more and more relevant in children’s lives.
Without spoiling too much, the movie leans more into Jessie’s perspective—we get to see her trying to protect the bond between Bonnie and the toys while also carrying the responsibility of being the new leader of the group. There are also scenes in the film that show throwbacks of Jessie and her former owner, Emily, who left her in one of the most poignant scenes in Toy Story 2. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t tear up during these parts!
Old Voices and New Friends
Stills from Pixar
One of my favorite things about Toy Story 5 is the return of the original cast, including Tom Hanks as Woody, Joan Cusack as Jessie, and Tim Allen as Buzz Lightyear. The film also introduces one of its most anticipated new characters, Lilypad, voiced by Greta Lee. We also meet Smarty Pants (Conan O’Brien), Snappy (Shelby Rabara), and Atlas (Craig Robinson)—new friends that Jessie makes on her journey.
Even though Woody is not as present compared to the previous films, his presence can still be felt throughout the movie. His relationship with Jessie and the lessons he left behind continue to influence how she leads the toys. Also, there may be some relationship upgrades between Jessie and Buzz that we’re not keen on spoiling.
A New Original Song
Taylor Swift at Toy Story 5 Premiere
Photo from Billboard
Toy Story 5 features a new original song from Taylor Swift, entitled “I Knew It, I Knew You.” Also produced by American singer-songwriter Jack Antonoff, the producer behind most of Swift’s hits, the song actually hits when you view it from Jessie’s perspective, capturing the bittersweet and nostalgic feeling of holding on to memories and relationships that eventually change as people grow up and move on.
Aside from the new song, the film features some inventive scoring that fit the overall tone of the story, making it an immersive experience for viewers old and new.
Impressive Animation Style, Awkward Pacing
Stills from Toy Story 5
Toy Story 5 kept imaginative sequences during playtime, but what we appreciate best is how the film shifts into a different animation style during these scenes where Bonnie’s imagination runs wild. The 3D look of the toys becomes a stylized, flat-shaded pastel and watercolor look inspired by children’s storybooks, which made the film feel even more magical.
However, the first half of the film felt a bit too disorganized. Some scenes felt overwhelming, with several plot points happening at once, and making the film feel cramped. But around the climax of the movie, we see the threads coming together and connect with each other as the story progresses, making for a satisfying second half.
Is “Toy Story 5” really necessary?
Stills from Toy Story 5
Truth be told, Toy Story 4 didn’t really stick with me as the conclusion of the film series. I understood Woody’s new path in life, but it felt a bit too abrupt an ending for this cast of characters that we all grew up to love. So I went to see this film with low expectations.
However, I found Toy Story 5 surprisingly relevant, especially these days when you can see kids everywhere holding an iPad instead of a toy. What makes this film different from the previous installments is that the idea of a child growing up is something that has always existed, but the way they spend their time has changed. Children are spending more time on screens instead of playing. Children are also connecting online instead of creating genuine friendships in real life.
Somehow, this film serves as an eye-opener. I’m not saying technology is entirely the villain or the bad guy. But just like what the film shows, technology and playtime should be balanced. Technology can even be used to preserve memories made during playtime—but it shouldn’t replace the experience of hands-on play and in-person social interactions.
It may not be the strongest film in the franchise, but it definitely leaves us with a strong impression and a good ending (for now).
SEA Wave Magazine rates Toy Story 5 3.5 out of 5 waves.