323, Toy Story 5

Since re-starting the blog, Toy Story 5 is my first animation.  In fact, you have to go all the way back to July 2013 (#270 - Monsters University) to see my last full animation write-up and, as time goes by (and the kids get older), I expect way less animations to appear here than in the early days however, it seemed a potentially fitting way to end this genre of reviews with a movie franchise that has been around for just over 30yrs!

Yes, it's hard to believe that Toy Story came out in 1995 - before the Millennium Bug, in a time where John Major was Prime Minister and  Pierce Brosnan appears in his first Bond Movie.  Blur & Oasis were battling in the charts and Father Ted made it's UK TV premier. In other news, Everton won the FA Cup and Frank Bruno was WBC World Heavyweight Champion!

However - when Tom Hanks and Tim Allen (then aged just 39 & 42 respectively) got behind the mics for Woody & Buzz - who knew that a 31yr franchise was about to be born and that it would transition an entire generation.

For those in the know - Toy Story 4 ended with Woody and Bo leaving the Toy-Box and heading out into the wider world to help rescue lost toys.  Buzz was left with Jessie and Bullseye and our other long term characters with their kid 'Bonnie' who the original owner 'Andy' left them all to in Toy Story 3.

Bonnie now getting a little older and with all of her friends now into 'online' devices, tablets and phones - Bonnie is feeling very left out, as are her toys when she fails to make new friends to 'play' with and through sheer peer pressure, Bonnie's parents get her a Lilypad (basically a tablet) so she can 'fit in' and start making more friends.

Obviously, this is much to the annoyance of Jessie and the rest of the hoard who (along with the return of Woody) see it as their duty to convince Lilypad that 'Tech' isn't all it's cracked up to be and get Bonnie making real friends, which of course leads to some high-jinx and a morale that Tech can be useful and fun if used in the right way - but should not replace childhood make believe and imagination.

As parents - the story really does hit home - having boys ourselves who are constantly buried into consoles and phones we immediately saw the premise of the film, about real life connections being more important than on-line fakery but whether or not the message made it through to them is yet to be seen!

The Animation feels as fresh as it ever did - even after 30yrs it still looks as current now as it did advanced in the 90's - and when you see movies coming like Coyote Vs Acme where they have maintained original 2D cartoon artwork mixed in with live action - I don't think this genre is quite finished just yet!

All your favourites are back - albeit with some changes.  The Potato Heads are re-cast due to the sad passing of the legendary Don Rickles (Mr Potato Head) in 2017 - replaced for this outing by Jeff Bergman (Don did appear in TS/4 - but by using archived only footage) & Mrs Potato Head (Estelle Harris) - replaced by Anna Vocino.

Combat Carl (originally Carl Weathers of 'Rocky' Fame) is now Ernie Hudson and Timothy Dalton's, Mr Prickle Pants is now played by John Hopkins.   Bonnie also changed - but more because her voice actor(s) got older but, it was nice to see Keanu Reeves return as Duke Caboom - even though he's hardly in this one.  

New characters include Lilypad herself, voiced by Greta Lee (Stella from The Morning Show) and new '1st generation' Tech-toys Atlas, Snappy & Smarty Pants who are portrayed as an early Sat-Nav, a Digital Camera and a Toilet Trainer - voiced by Craig Robinson, Shelby Rabara and Conan O'Brien who, after only months of play are already placed into storage, evidencing how fast Tech moves on compared to the years woody and the gang spent being played with across multiple generations.

There are enough adult-based jokes and chuckles to keep the parents entertained and I have to say - the whole experience was thoroughly enjoyable.  I can't see any references to a Toy Story 6 and I think with the main cast now well into their 70's (even Joan Cusack "Jessie" is 64!) I just can't see them wanting to do another and there is no way you can replace the main cast!  

Tom Hanks said he's only return for this if the script had real meaning and relevance - which this definitely does so having it last 5 movies across 31yrs, is a pretty good innings for this Story about Toys.

There were quite a few young couples in the cinema when we all went - but when you think most of them would have grown up watching these movies as kids themselves you can understand why.  It's nostalgic, meaningful and very well executed and now that it's all over, you can definitely say this franchise went to Infinity - and Beyond!   

Click below to watch the Trailer..............