Toy Story 4 Review

Toy Story 4
Director: Josh Cooley
Cast Headliners: Tom Hanks , Tim Allen, Annie Ports , Joan Cusack, Tony Hale, all of your old favorites
Original Release Date: June 21st ,2019

   On one hand this shouldn't exist . The Toy Story trilogy is perhaps the only perfect or nearso amazing trilogies of not just animated films but ant film or media in general. It has reached it's perfect stellar end with treat memories. However, on the other hand there's nothing quite as amazing and special in Pixar's pantheon as these films. It's with great fortunes and smiles that Toy Story 4 definitely lives up to the legacy of the past. Consider it an epilogue and also get another ending in ways ...with simple colorful fun along the way.
     An exhilarating,funny, and at times emotional opening  sequence / montage starts things that feels just like it's back in the 90s and 00s again . However the plot proper smartly is just two years after the last film instead of taking into account real time. With Andy long gone the toys are under the ownership of Bonnie ( Madeleine McGraw). There's alot of familiar faces but of course the biggest too are in the old friends Woody(Tom Hanks) the sheriff and Buzz Lightyear( Tim Allen ). They're joined by iconic favorites like Jessie(Joan Cusack), Rex(Wallace Shawn), Hamm(John Ratzenberger ), and Mr.Potato Head(the late Don Rickles).
    This is very much a Woody film. One could argue that all of them  are up to  their best t this one more than ever with some important new character growths gone in. Hanks does an incredible job like anything in this film filled with laughter and warmth. Allen is great ( more silly quips this time again ) and so on. Some classic characters are a bit lost in the shuffle but that's understandable in the ensemble effect of things.
    There's some great totally new characters of course. Ducky(Keegan Michael-Key) and Bunny(Jordan Peele) are slapstick gold amongst a lavish carnival backdrop. A big part of things is Forky(Tony Hale) a bewildered spoon toy made from trash by Bonnie ( even if the joke is slightly repeated ...but like many things even the tenth time it causes a chuckle).  Gabby Gabby (Christina Hendricks) and her creepy ventriloquists and cat nearby bring a villianous angle with some surprising nuances sympathy. Somewhere between it all there's Duke Caboom(Keanu Reeves) who's so humorously Canadian one can taste the Tim Horton's and maple syrup. Don't forget the toy short connecting Combat Carl (Carl Wearhers) or miniature Giggle McDimples(Ally Maki) either .
   Through old and new there's actually a bit of a great fusion. Bo Peep ( Annie Potts) sat the last one out but is very much a main important character this time. The film effectively closes all loops and has her do some great things with her heroic "lost toy " angle. The epic  story of the lost lovers of her and Woody is a great part of the tale with many feels and twists and turns with some great heroics by her.
    There's really nothing wrong with the film at all. The CGI visuals are incredible with some of the most realistic colorful looks to date. The script is on point for characters old and new. The action and shots ( perhaps aided by director Cooley) are fun and funny. Everything is perfect ...and beautiful. It scratches that Pixar touch.
   That's what Pixar is...art . A fine craftsmens touch in the best of times which is what this is. While the story ended perfectly in the past this is a worthy of a bit arubpt and simple adventure. Fans have to see because it just about belongs with the best of them. This may be the end if so so long pardner and if not or no matter what....you got a friend in me (always ). 9 out of 10.