The Toys Are Back in Town: Toy Story 5 Reviewed

For the fifth movie in a franchise, Toy Story 5 is anything but stale. It’s fun for the whole family, both old and young!

In a movie climate where sequels are becoming increasingly overdone and boring, Toy Story 5 is a shining beacon of storytelling genius and childish imagination, with messaging and morals aimed at both children and parents, and a beautiful story of what it’s like to grow up not fitting in with others.

Three decades of Toy Story

Thirty-one years have passed since the release of the first Toy Story film. With this amount of time passing, major changes to the films are to be expected. None of these changes appears to be negative, though. The best change that has occurred within 31 years of technological cinema developments is the most obvious one – the animation.

From tiny little details like the stitching on the toys to the fibres in Jessie’s hair, Toy Story 5 showcases the skill of modern animation as a storytelling device. The film immerses us in the world of toys in a way that is incredibly beautiful. The attention to the tiniest details really brings it all together by making the audience believe the toys and their stories are real. Whilst this level of detail will more than likely be missed by the younger audience members, it is truly appreciated by the parents and adults in the room.

Jessie (and Taylor Swift) take centre stage

Toy Story 5 contains three main storylines that all converge at the end in a way that is unexpected and heartwarming. We spend the most time with Jessie in her storyline, which is a tale Toy Story lovers have been waiting to see for a long time. Her story is accompanied by Taylor Swift’s latest hit “I Knew It, I Knew You” – an original song written for Toy Story 5. 

As with any Pixar film, there are easter eggs and references to other films hidden throughout. The iconic Pizza Planet truck is seen whizzing by in one scene, a ‘blink-and-you-miss-it’ moment shows a still from Finding Nemo, and there’s even a hidden reference to Sully from Monsters Inc.

Giggles for all ages – and a teaching moment too

This is a film for the whole family, with messages and comedy for all ages and comprehension levels. The only jokes that didn’t seem to land with the kids were the ones that exclusively had the adults in the room giggling. Whilst there were some cruder jokes (Talking Toilet Trainer, I’m looking at you), these still felt light enough not to disrupt the flow of the film. Besides, who doesn’t love a good bit of “silly” comedy?

Toy Story 5 perfectly encapsulates growing up in an increasingly technologically advanced world, managing to simultaneously warn us of the dangers of misusing technology while refusing to put the blame solely on that technology. One of the main plotlines and themes is cyberbullying, and this is set up in a way that is easy for children and adults to understand. Whilst these themes are sad and do carry a dark air to them, it is not a scary moment for children. Instead, it is a teaching moment and a show of empathy.