I was skeptical when I went into the theater on Thursday, June 18th, for an early preview screening of Toy Story 5, and when I left, I was essentially blown away with what I saw. Jessie’s story arc is a great one, and it was one that truly makes her shine for infinity and beyond, showing that just because something is newer doesn’t always mean that it’s worse.
Lilypad also had a very welcome story. Started off bad, by thinking that she was supposed to do what was best for Bonnie by having no toys trying to hold her back. But in the end, as the story progresses, we get to see her realize that it’s not those in the group chat on a screen that matter, but true connections with other people. It is such an interesting concept.
The rest of the Toy Story gang, outside of Woody and Buzz, took a little bit of a backseat, but that’s okay. Sometimes, in a story, more is less.
And speaking of Woody and Buzz, their relationship seems a little bit chaotic and argumentative. But I suppose that the power of becoming second in command to the sheriff and have its detriments. But it’s still nice to see that they are still the best of friends at heart, dating all the way back to the first Toy Story back in 1995! They’ve truly got a friend in each other.
When it comes to Bonnie in particular, I kind of connect with her in a sense. I will be one of the first to admit that being on a screen and on social media all the time is not healthy. It can really change your perceptions and pervert what the actual world is to a person. Sometimes it’s best to put down the device and actually talk to somebody. Sometimes it takes another person who is unique in their own right and has similar interests to break you out of the shell. Blaze is an excellent character and new friend for Bonnie to be with.
I enjoyed seeing that Emily, Jessie’s first owner, really loved her so much that when she grew up, she named her own daughter after her. It shows that Jessie was truly an irreplaceable part of her heart, even if it was only like a flash in the pan to a toy’s life.
I find that much of the humor also came from the upgraded High-Tech Buzz figures. I first heard that it was going to be an army of evil Buzz Lightyears that ultimately betrayed the gang, but I’m glad to see that they didn’t. They really balanced both parts toy and technological innovation.
And I was quite surprised that Bad Bunny in the film really wasn’t as bad as I had thought. Just a simple cameo, and that was it. Much of the Toy Story gang was like that. So much so that Blake Clark reprising the role of Slinky Dog into his 70s and 80s never really felt out of place. The same thing could be said regarding Mr. Potato Head, who had very few lines as a result of Don Rickles’ passing before Toy Story 4. And even though I left the theater with the credits song by Taylor Swift playing in the background, I don’t think it was too bad.
Andrew Stanton really knocked it out of the park with Toy Story 5. While it isn’t quite up to the same standards as the original trilogy, I would say that it is a very solid and innoffensive film with a very relatable premise.
I believe that Pixar is in a good spot. Having tempered expectations heading in can really blow the door handles off. And I am glad I enjoyed it. I hope to share it and that others can enjoy it as well, as it speaks to today’s world quite a bit.

8 out of 10. B+