Toy Story 4 (2019)
★★★½ — Toy Story 4 (2019)
Toy Story 4 (2019) may not have seemed necessary after the emotional perfection of Toy Story 3, but it proves itself as a worthy (and surprisingly poignant) coda to Woody and Buzz’s journey. The animation is nothing short of astounding: every thread on Woody’s plaid shirt, every glint in Forky’s googly eyes, and every rain-slicked street in the carnival-lit town feels rendered with meticulous, heart-filled care. Pixar’s technical mastery has never been more evident, turning plastic and fabric into vessels of profound emotion. The story wisely shifts focus, giving Woody a final arc centered on identity, purpose, and letting go, not just of Andy, but of his own definition of loyalty. Along the way, we meet new characters who instantly earn their place in the pantheon, none more so than Forky (or “Sporky,” as he insists), a spork-turned-toy whose existential confusion is both hilarious and oddly touching. His wide-eyed panic (“I’m trash!”) delivers some of the film’s biggest laughs, but also its quietest truths about self-worth. While the plot occasionally meanders through familiar chase sequences, the emotional beats land with sincerity, and the ending (gentle, bittersweet, and beautifully understated) honors decades of friendship without overstaying its welcome. It’s not as thematically rich as TS3, but it’s warmer and wiser than it has any right to be. Toy Story 4 didn’t need to exist, but now that it does, it feels essential. With stunning visuals, genuine humor (thanks, Sporky!), and a finale that closes the book with grace, it’s a joyful, heartfelt farewell to old friends… and a quiet nod to the idea that every toy (and every story) deserves a proper goodbye.
Rating: ★★★½ | Year: 2019 | Watched: 2026-04-27
