By: Lana K. Wilson-Combs
"TOY STORY 5" FINDS NEW MAGIC IN OLD TOY BOX
Disney and Pixar score another big win with
"Toy Story 5." Directed and written by
Andrew Stanton ("In the Blink of an Eye") and McKenna Harris ("Gallo"), this delightful, funny, and timely adventure is sure to awaken the inner child in audiences of all ages.
It's the fifth installment in Pixar's beloved "Toy Story" franchise and the film picks up two years after the events of "Toy Story 4."
This time, Jessie (Joan Cusack, TV's "Homecoming"), Woody (Tom Hanks, TV's "The American Revolution"), Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen, TV's "Shifting Gears"), and the rest of the gang find themselves facing an unexpected challenge: the growing dominance of technology in kid's lives.
When eight-year-old Bonnie (Scarlet Spears, "Wicked: For Good") receives a frog-themed tablet named Lilypad (Greta Lee, TV's "The Morning Show") from her well-meaning parents (voiced by Lori Alan, TV's "Spongebob Squarepants") and Jay Hernandez, "The Long Game") to help her connect with her peers, she quickly becomes captivated-check that--obsessed with her new digital companion. Before long, the traditional toys she once cherished are left gathering dust.
As Woody and the others struggle with the possibility of becoming obsolete, they set out to remind Bonnie--and perhaps all of us--of the magic that can only come from imagination, creativity, and the simple joy of play.
Rather than simply revisiting familiar territory, "Toy Story 5" finds fresh energy by putting Jessie at the center of the adventure. Cusack slips back into the role as if she never left, giving Jessie a warmth, determination, and vulnerability that make her the emotional heartbeat of the film.
While Woody and Buzz remain essential to the story, this is ultimately Jessie's journey and one that explores what it means to feel left behind in a world that seems to be moving faster than you can keep up with.
The film smartly uses Bonnie's growing dependence on technology as more than just a plot device; it becomes a reflection of modern childhood and the constant peer pressure many kids face when trying to fit in.
Bonnie still loves her toys, including favorites Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head (Jeff Bergman, "Coyote vs. Acme" and Anna Vocino, TV's "Snapped: Killer Couples"), Rex (Wallace Shawn, TV's "Young Sheldon"), and the ever-hilarious Forky (Tony Hale, TV's "Office Romance"). They remain part of her world, but she is painfully aware that other children seem more interested in devices and social media than flat out playtime.
The film doesn't wag its finger at technology; instead, it asks how children can stay connected to each other when screens increasingly dominate their attention.
That message lands because it is wrapped inside an endlessly entertaining adventure filled with Pixar's trademark charm. Greta Lee ("The Last House”) is terrific as Lilypad, bringing just enough personality and sincerity to a character who could have easily become a villain.
The humor throughout is clever, playful, and sharp enough to keep adults laughing while remaining completely kid friendly. Some of the biggest chuckles come courtesy of Conan O'Brien's ("If I Had Legs, I'd Kick You") wonderfully eccentric toilet trainer Smarty Pants, and Craig Robinson's ("The Bad Guys 2") laid-back Atlas, a talking GPS hippo.
Along with the energetic toy camera Snappy (Shelby Rabara, TV's "9-1-1: Lone Star"), they are relics of yesterday's technology tucked away at Emily's old farmhouse, where Jessie and Bullseye the horse (Alan Cumming, TV's "RoboGobo") unexpectedly find themselves. Their interactions create many of the film's funniest and memorable moments, proving that even outdated gadgets have stories worth telling.
The arrival of the high-tech Army Multi-Buzz figures, determined to return to Star Command, adds another layer of excitement and gives the film several inventive action sequences that feel fresh while honoring the series' roots.
Beneath the laughs, however, lies Pixar's most mature storytelling in years. "Toy Story 5" examines what nostalgia truly means. Whether it's Woody showing signs of wear--including a subtle bald spot that quietly symbolizes the passage of time--or Jessie confronting memories of her past at Emily's farmhouse, the film explores aging, relevance, loneliness, and belonging with surprising depth.
The introduction of Blaze (Mykal-Michelle Harris, TV's "Disney Jr.'s Ariel"), the cheerful and imaginative young girl who now lives in Emily's former home and really loves toys too, becomes a key focal point.
Blaze represents the kind of friendship Bonnie desperately needs. As Jessie realizes that helping Bonnie connect with Blaze is more important than simply finding her way home, the story expands into something much richer. It becomes a touching examination of friendship, socialization, and acceptance.
The evolving relationship between Jessie and Buzz gives "Toy Story 5" its sweetness as well. Buzz's quiet struggle to find the courage to tell Jessie how he feels adds an unexpected tenderness, while Woody's return reminds audiences why these characters have remained so beloved for nearly three decades.
By the time Bonnie and Blaze discover that their shared love of imagination is far more meaningful than chasing approval from others, "Toy Story 5" has earned every laugh, every adventure, and every emotional moment.
In the end, Pixar delivers an installment that is charming, clever, and not only celebrates the enduring power of friendship and play but easily wins its way into our hearts.
Editor's Note: Be sure to catch my N2Entertainment.net movie talk segment on the Kitty O'Neal Show Fridays at 5:17 p.m. and 6:47 p.m. on radio station KFBK 93.1 FM and 1530 AM.
Watch This Trailer For
"TOY STORY 5"
Lana K. Wilson-Combs is a member of the Broadcast Film Critics Association (BFCA), The American Film Institute (AFI), and a Nominating Committee Voting Member for the NAACP Image Awards.
