As the name says Terrible Toy Story 4, the movie is exactly that. Terrible. Before you say it’s a kids movie and that it is “fine” for kids, but that is not the way it should be. PIXAR has done a great job up until now (not including Incredibles 2) of making movies that were great for adults and children alike. Being that I grew up with Andy and his toys, this movie should probably have been made for my generation as equally as much for children who may just be getting introduced to the Toy Story saga. This isn’t my only issue though, and if it was I could probably accept the movie as at least decent. This movie had a plethora wrong with it but here are my thoughts on the biggest problems.
Buzz Lightyear and the rest of the toys
One of my biggest issues with the movie is Buzz Lightyear. He has degraded, for lack of a better term. During Toy Story 1, 2, and 3 Buzz came a long way from an idiot action figure who didn’t know he was toy. He grew and learned from Woody and the gang and accepted his place in Andy’s room. Buzz even came up with great ideas at times, like using the rocket in Toy Story 1 to get back on the moving truck.
This movie makes him out to be an idiot who can only push buttons on the front of his space suit to understand what his “inner voice” is. Where is the growth that Buzz would have no doubt experienced during his time with Woody, Andy, and the rest?
Maybe this is done for comic relief, but it didn’t hit that mark either.
What about the other toys? Where were they? I thought this movie was called Toy Story, not Woody’s Carnival Stroll. Most the toys are secondary and feel like they are more an afterthought. They then needed to be added in just because they have been around. Some of these beloved toys (Like Hamm, Rex, and Slinky) have been around since the first movie and were all a big part of them. Not this time, they stayed in an RV and waited and had what felt like 2 lines each the entire movie
The Antique Store
The Antique store was a decent add and had could have opened the movie up for a lot of different, unique and creative scenarios but again didn’t live up to its potential. It would have been nice to see more vintage toys play more of an integral role in helping Woody and Bo Peep retrieve Forky. Instead, we get a 1950’s doll and some ventriloquist dummies.
There are some cameos worth mentioning though, like the one-man band toy from the PIXAR original Tin Toy short. It also introduced the Canadian Daredevil Duke Kaboom. PIXAR missed the mark here and could have had more vintage toys for parents and adults to fawn over for a few minutes.
The Antique store, while being a potentially great setting, also feels like it was done before. We saw some vintage toys from Al’s Toy Barn in Toy Story 2 as he collected vintage and collectible toys and resold them. It was how Jessie and Bullseye were introduced. The antique store appears to be an updated take on that, just with old phones, dishes, vases, and chandeliers.
The Story
The Story itself is just boring. It follows Woody, as he again, gets himself away from his kid and must find his way back. It would have been great if this film followed a different direction and did something different. Toy Story at this point has become a template for all the next installments. The audience can pretty much figure out the ending to the movie well before it actually happens.
The other big issue with the story is that there is no antagonist. While Gabby Gabby, the doll in the antique store, appears to be one the issue is resolved rather quickly. The entire story is nothing but obstacles that these toys need to hurdle over. There is no real conflict at all. Really without conflict, how could the movie be any good? Most good movies are made by having an exciting villain and this movie lacks one.
Conclusion
The movie was simply not enjoyable on any level and lacked the PIXAR creativeness that fans have come to expect from the company. After the release of John Lassiter it appears that the company is going downhill and that he [Mr. Lassiter] may have been the heart and soul of these movies. Only time will tell, but as of Incredibles 2 and now Toy Story 4, I am starting to believe that John Lassiter maybe the Walt Disney of our time when it comes to animated movies.
We will see if PIXAR can bring the magic back with its next movie ONWARD. ONWARD appears to be a breath of fresh air as it is a new movie and not a sequel to anything already in the beloved PIXAR gallery. Fingers crossed that this new film hits the mark as I am a huge Disney/PIXAR fan.
If you want more details on my feelings of Toy Story 4 you can check out a more in-depth and clinical review of the film here.
Or feel free to comment over on our facebook page, this is a small snippet of the things I found wrong with this movie and will be more than happy to share.
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