The “Toy Story” franchise sorely needed a reboot after the “meh” fourth installment, despite the fact that it was the most successful in the 31-year-old franchise.
That’s the benefit of a built-in audience, and there’s little doubt that “Toy Story 5” will also enjoy that type of a success with a distinct difference – it’s been re-invigorated courtesy of tech, screens, devices – something considered anathema to a series of films about old-fashioned, use-your-imagination toys.
That’s not the case here as the reboot comes courtesy of a look at real-world consequences of those devices that seem to have children and adults hypnotized much of the time (or outright converted into digital zombies).
Therein lies the intelligence of this outing of Buzz (Tim Allen), Woody (Tom Hanks) and Jessie (Joan Cusack) in “Toy Story 5.”
Andrew Stanton and McKenna Harris, who co-direct and co-write this installment, have crafted an intellectual, humorous tale that also finds the heart of the characters once again.
In this case, they center Jessie, the cowgirl doll who we learn has had her heart broken so many times by being passed down that she couldn’t bear to endure it once again.
Enter Lilypad (Greta Lee), a smart pad for children, which is given to Jessie’s current child Bonnie. Painfully shy Bonnie, who has had problems making friends, is immediately smitten with Lilypad because it has all of those sweet, sweet interactive features, including a chat function.
She finds in no time that she can make “friends” via chat and rushes headfirst into the opportunity. The problem: while the children she starts to hang out with are fully zombiefied, Bonnie still has the ability to use her imagination with her old friends Buzz and Jessie, a fact that she’s teased about with her new clique.
That situation sends Jessie and her trusted steed Bullseye on a journey to help Bonnie. When she gets into a jam, Woody and Buzz join the adventure.
Fans of the “Toy Story” franchise will recognize the characters and voices, but in this case the heart and intelligence return.
The latter comes in the debate that’s raged since the use of devices have become so ingrained in everyday life – for adults and children.
Arguably those computers, smartphones and tablets inflict damage on both groups. For adults, parents in particular, they lead to possible indifference to everything around them — including their children.
And for children, the danger comes in those screens being seen as a babysitter, a way to placate and entertain without human interaction.
By the same token, Stanton, who directed the brilliant “Wall-E” and “Finding Nemo,” and Harris (who is making her directorial debut), acknowledge technology isn’t the problem. The pair painstakingly show through “Toy Story 5,” in humorous fashion, that tech is a wonder of the current times that has its benefits when used correctly and in moderation.
It’s cliché to state about Pixar films at this point, but “Toy Story 5” is lushly animated with the studio further blending the border between what is computer generated and reality-based. Some scenes in the film look just that good.
Of course, this franchise would not be the same without the return of Hanks, Allen and Cusack, but the addition of new voice talents Conan O’Brien and Craig Robinson certainly complement the film.
The toys are back in “Toy Story 5,” and film audiences are better for it.
George M. Thomas covers a myriad of things including sports and pop culture, but mostly sports, he thinks, for the Beacon Journal.
Review
Movie: “Toy Story 5”
Cast: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Conan O’Brien
Directed by: McKenna Harris and Andrew Stanton
Running time: 1 hour 42 minutes
Rated: PG
Grade: B+
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Pixar continues its roll with return of ‘Toy Story’ franchise | Review
Reporting by George M. Thomas, Akron Beacon Journal / Akron Beacon Journal
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By George M. Thomas, Akron Beacon Journal | USA TODAY Network
