Toy Story 4 (2019)
June 24, 2019 12:24 PM - Subscribe
When a new toy called "Forky" joins Woody and the gang, a road trip alongside old and new friends reveals how big the world can be for a toy.
We were.... disappointed. It seemed to lack something. Heart? I don't know.
Although Bo Peep as a strong female character was awesome. The ventriloquist dummies and semi-creepy talking doll were scary as hell, until they weren't. Animation was AMAZING. It sort of seemed like the movie was an excuse to show off how amazingly they could animate everything.
Keanu as Duke Caboom was a delight, as were Key & Peele as a pair of stuffed toys. Listen close for Mel Brooks, Carl Reiner and Carol Burnett in an early scene.
Forky REALLY got on my nerves... and as a parent with zero patience for a kid whose tantrum du jour over a favorite toy stops the show... I just could not muster up any real sympathy for the humans in this iteration.
posted by I_Love_Bananas at 2:35 PM on June 24, 2019
Although Bo Peep as a strong female character was awesome. The ventriloquist dummies and semi-creepy talking doll were scary as hell, until they weren't. Animation was AMAZING. It sort of seemed like the movie was an excuse to show off how amazingly they could animate everything.
Keanu as Duke Caboom was a delight, as were Key & Peele as a pair of stuffed toys. Listen close for Mel Brooks, Carl Reiner and Carol Burnett in an early scene.
Forky REALLY got on my nerves... and as a parent with zero patience for a kid whose tantrum du jour over a favorite toy stops the show... I just could not muster up any real sympathy for the humans in this iteration.
posted by I_Love_Bananas at 2:35 PM on June 24, 2019
I liked it! Thought I kind of spaced out at the beginning before Woody goes on his adventure.
I'm very glad that Woody and Bo finally break free from the obsolescence cycle imposed by their child bosses.
I have already forgotten the name of Duke Caboom’s kid, and it’s bothering me.
Réjean, this is for you!
posted by haemanu at 4:22 PM on June 24, 2019 [10 favorites]
I'm very glad that Woody and Bo finally break free from the obsolescence cycle imposed by their child bosses.
I have already forgotten the name of Duke Caboom’s kid, and it’s bothering me.
Réjean, this is for you!
posted by haemanu at 4:22 PM on June 24, 2019 [10 favorites]
I loved it, maybe not as much as 2 but it's still a solid entry in an amazingly consistently inventive series. I wasn't sure how they'd follow the closure of the end of 3 but it makes sense that they'd make it Woody's story and I love how this one ended for him. Turning Bo into a toy Furiosa did seem very 2019 but she was so much fun and Annie Potts is a treasure that it felt like a breath of fresh air in a movie that was feeling a little morose by the time she showed up.
I was impressed at how they managed to cram so many character arcs into a 100 minute film and how mostly satisfying they were. Forky was annoying but he was supposed to be, none of the other toys wanted to deal with him either but that made Woody's self-appointed task of saving him more meaningful. We needed to see how obsessive and compulsive Woody is about making sure that Bonnie gets her toy back even if no one else can understand it and then make it that much more of a hard decision when he finally stays behind with Bo.
Maybe I'm remembering but I don't think that there were as many gorgeous shots in the the earlier films and this one has a few that I just loved. There was one when Buzz flies up in the air over the carnival and you see the hills in the background and my favorite was when Bo and Woody are looking at the scores of antique lights from the top of the cabinet in the store.
And who can't love Duke Caboom? Or maybe it's just someone like me who obsessively followed the exploits of Evel Knievel when he was in middle school and had one of those damn wind-up motorcycles. The fact that he was Canadian was just one of those weird little touches that Pixar used to be so good at.
posted by octothorpe at 4:36 PM on June 24, 2019 [4 favorites]
I was impressed at how they managed to cram so many character arcs into a 100 minute film and how mostly satisfying they were. Forky was annoying but he was supposed to be, none of the other toys wanted to deal with him either but that made Woody's self-appointed task of saving him more meaningful. We needed to see how obsessive and compulsive Woody is about making sure that Bonnie gets her toy back even if no one else can understand it and then make it that much more of a hard decision when he finally stays behind with Bo.
Maybe I'm remembering but I don't think that there were as many gorgeous shots in the the earlier films and this one has a few that I just loved. There was one when Buzz flies up in the air over the carnival and you see the hills in the background and my favorite was when Bo and Woody are looking at the scores of antique lights from the top of the cabinet in the store.
And who can't love Duke Caboom? Or maybe it's just someone like me who obsessively followed the exploits of Evel Knievel when he was in middle school and had one of those damn wind-up motorcycles. The fact that he was Canadian was just one of those weird little touches that Pixar used to be so good at.
posted by octothorpe at 4:36 PM on June 24, 2019 [4 favorites]
When Chicky and Bunny slowly rise up over the antique owners bed I had to hold my breath in between gasping for air guffawing for a good few minutes.
posted by PenDevil at 4:12 AM on June 25, 2019 [4 favorites]
posted by PenDevil at 4:12 AM on June 25, 2019 [4 favorites]
I really enjoyed it - it is funny and looks beautiful.
I'm very glad that Woody and Bo finally break free from the obsolescence cycle imposed by their child bosses
Yeah, the message I got was definitely a move from "kids need you" to "you need a kid", as in the toy comes first and if it is allowed to do what it does best then both toy and kid win, and I love that Bo & Woody will become crusaders giving toys their chance.
The fact that he was Canadian was just one of those weird little touches that Pixar used to be so good at
Could this also be a nod to Keanu Reeves' background?
posted by jontyjago at 4:43 AM on June 25, 2019
I'm very glad that Woody and Bo finally break free from the obsolescence cycle imposed by their child bosses
Yeah, the message I got was definitely a move from "kids need you" to "you need a kid", as in the toy comes first and if it is allowed to do what it does best then both toy and kid win, and I love that Bo & Woody will become crusaders giving toys their chance.
The fact that he was Canadian was just one of those weird little touches that Pixar used to be so good at
Could this also be a nod to Keanu Reeves' background?
posted by jontyjago at 4:43 AM on June 25, 2019
"I think all the Canadians that were on the movie immediately requested to animate him"
posted by Huffy Puffy at 5:26 AM on June 25, 2019 [4 favorites]
posted by Huffy Puffy at 5:26 AM on June 25, 2019 [4 favorites]
I don't buy it that Bonnie wouldn't eventually notice that woody was gone and become upset....I was happier with the end of TS3 closing the series.
nthing loving a bo who kicked ass
I noted star wars and muppet references...not as familiar with Marvel, so someone else can chime in there
posted by brujita at 6:13 PM on June 26, 2019
nthing loving a bo who kicked ass
I noted star wars and muppet references...not as familiar with Marvel, so someone else can chime in there
posted by brujita at 6:13 PM on June 26, 2019
First act left me wondering why we paid to see this in the theater, but acts 2 & 3 completely won me over, what a delightful and funny movie. I do like that it directly takes on, in thematic terms, the existential horror raised by its own premise.
The scene that made me laugh heartily for over a minute was the one when Bo and Woody reconnect and are talking around the RC skunk, and two Combat Carls keep icing out a third one (who was Snow Gear Combat Carl or something), ignoring him and leaving a high-five hanging; no other characters notice or comment on it, it just happens. It is hysterical and subtle.
I also really appreciated that key emotional moments between characters were shown and not spoken, e.g., when Bo and Woody are arguing outside of the antique store after the failed rescue attempt, and realize that their understanding and perspective of duty and responsibility (to kids) differs in a basic way that will keep them apart, there is no dialogue--the characters mutual realizations and sadness is just shown on their faces, reacting to what was just said and then understanding its implications. That's really terrific animation, that can be expressive in a significant, nuanced way, nonverbally.
posted by LooseFilter at 5:17 PM on June 27, 2019 [7 favorites]
The scene that made me laugh heartily for over a minute was the one when Bo and Woody reconnect and are talking around the RC skunk, and two Combat Carls keep icing out a third one (who was Snow Gear Combat Carl or something), ignoring him and leaving a high-five hanging; no other characters notice or comment on it, it just happens. It is hysterical and subtle.
I also really appreciated that key emotional moments between characters were shown and not spoken, e.g., when Bo and Woody are arguing outside of the antique store after the failed rescue attempt, and realize that their understanding and perspective of duty and responsibility (to kids) differs in a basic way that will keep them apart, there is no dialogue--the characters mutual realizations and sadness is just shown on their faces, reacting to what was just said and then understanding its implications. That's really terrific animation, that can be expressive in a significant, nuanced way, nonverbally.
posted by LooseFilter at 5:17 PM on June 27, 2019 [7 favorites]
I don't buy it that Bonnie wouldn't eventually notice that woody was gone and become upset.
The movie clearly sets up a final beat where Bonnie says "wait, where's Woody?" (like Andy did at the beginning) and this time he chooses to go with Bo anyway. I wouldn't be surprised if it was in test screenings and it bummed the audience out too much, but it's the right ending...
posted by gerryblog at 5:44 PM on June 28, 2019
The movie clearly sets up a final beat where Bonnie says "wait, where's Woody?" (like Andy did at the beginning) and this time he chooses to go with Bo anyway. I wouldn't be surprised if it was in test screenings and it bummed the audience out too much, but it's the right ending...
posted by gerryblog at 5:44 PM on June 28, 2019
The scene that made me laugh heartily for over a minute was the one when Bo and Woody reconnect and are talking around the RC skunk, and two Combat Carls keep icing out a third one (who was Snow Gear Combat Carl or something), ignoring him and leaving a high-five hanging; no other characters notice or comment on it, it just happens. It is hysterical and subtle.
There's a stinger at the very end of the credits that you'll want to hang around for.
The best thing for me? Even with all the other satisfying bits (like, not just a Key & Peele reunion, but a hysterical one), that they had an honest-to-gosh redemption arc for the designated villain.
posted by Halloween Jack at 8:55 PM on June 30, 2019 [5 favorites]
There's a stinger at the very end of the credits that you'll want to hang around for.
The best thing for me? Even with all the other satisfying bits (like, not just a Key & Peele reunion, but a hysterical one), that they had an honest-to-gosh redemption arc for the designated villain.
posted by Halloween Jack at 8:55 PM on June 30, 2019 [5 favorites]
I loved that Gabby Gabby starts out pumping Forky for information in order to manipulate Woody, but that she actually listens to his story so that in the climactic speech she seems to be really empathizing with him rather than just envying him and is able to simply ask for what she wants and why. And Woody agrees.
Listen. Listen well enough that you can repeat it to the other person in a way that makes them feel understood. State what you want.
That's some textbook non-violent conflict resolution.
posted by straight at 5:44 PM on August 17, 2019 [9 favorites]
Listen. Listen well enough that you can repeat it to the other person in a way that makes them feel understood. State what you want.
That's some textbook non-violent conflict resolution.
posted by straight at 5:44 PM on August 17, 2019 [9 favorites]
Finally saw this. I liked it more than I thought I would (hated the trailers), but less than a lot of Pixar movies. I loved how creepy-scary they were able to make the antique shop scenes. I loved the facial expressions - this is the first animated film I've seen that really got the subtle eye movements and muscle responses that you see in really good actors (and in real life).
Loved that Bo's sheep are male (or at least generic) looking, with male (or at least generic) names, and they're still all female. More of that please.
Loved the voice work and all the fantasy sequences with the Bear and Ducky team. And I agree that Bonnie's parents were really disappointing.
It bothered me on an existential level that we ended TS3 with the thought that it was okay that Woody didn't go with Andy to college, because he was getting a new kid. Only to leave him a lost toy which we're supposed to celebrate as a happy ending? I mean, I know it's just stuff, but Andy wanted to keep him. If he's not getting played with, this isn't the ending he deserves - he should have gone with Andy to college. #TeamAndy.
The other thing that got me is that the film started with where we left off in TS3, we are supposed to be living in a world not long after the events of TS3, where Woody and the rest of them ALMOST DIED VIOLENTLY FROM BEING TAKEN OUT WITH THE TRASH, and not one of them could take a moment to tell Forky that being put in the trash is bad?
posted by Mchelly at 9:03 AM on August 29, 2019 [2 favorites]
Loved that Bo's sheep are male (or at least generic) looking, with male (or at least generic) names, and they're still all female. More of that please.
Loved the voice work and all the fantasy sequences with the Bear and Ducky team. And I agree that Bonnie's parents were really disappointing.
It bothered me on an existential level that we ended TS3 with the thought that it was okay that Woody didn't go with Andy to college, because he was getting a new kid. Only to leave him a lost toy which we're supposed to celebrate as a happy ending? I mean, I know it's just stuff, but Andy wanted to keep him. If he's not getting played with, this isn't the ending he deserves - he should have gone with Andy to college. #TeamAndy.
The other thing that got me is that the film started with where we left off in TS3, we are supposed to be living in a world not long after the events of TS3, where Woody and the rest of them ALMOST DIED VIOLENTLY FROM BEING TAKEN OUT WITH THE TRASH, and not one of them could take a moment to tell Forky that being put in the trash is bad?
posted by Mchelly at 9:03 AM on August 29, 2019 [2 favorites]
Finally saw this on Disney Plus. (Who would have seen that coming when Toy Story came out?)
The stinger scene, at the very end of the credits, was a nice play on the traditional stinger, and showed that everyone belongs.
posted by ZeusHumms at 6:06 PM on February 29, 2020
The stinger scene, at the very end of the credits, was a nice play on the traditional stinger, and showed that everyone belongs.
posted by ZeusHumms at 6:06 PM on February 29, 2020
Finally got round to watching it. I think my wife and I engaged with the story more than our kids did, as a lot of the emotional beats are a little too complex for them; this is not unusual for Pixar films of course.
I liked it a lot, it was very funny, and there were some lovely gags; loved the high five joke. I also love that the villain actually wasn't one in the end, thats a lot nicer than the irredeemable ones in two and three.
I think ultimately the central arc of the film is a little odd, and is really a repeat of the last film, apart from it contradicts it slightly. Surely the lesson of toy story three wasn't that woody needed to be with bonny, he needed to be with his friends, and he'd be fine as long as he was with them. Sure, woody being obsessive about helping bonny is a not completely unrealistic arc for him, but the conclusion being that he should abandon bonny to be with Bo ignores that he would be abandoning all his friends! In general this film really short changes the ensemble, some of whom barely get a line. Woody has been the lead in all three films but the rest have had plenty to do, in this to motivate woody essentially never seeing his friends ever again they downplay their relationship enormously, and I think that's a shame.
Also, while amusing, buzz's subplot where be thinks his inner voice is his buttons seems to cast him as much dumber than he is
posted by Cannon Fodder at 11:37 AM on August 22, 2020
I liked it a lot, it was very funny, and there were some lovely gags; loved the high five joke. I also love that the villain actually wasn't one in the end, thats a lot nicer than the irredeemable ones in two and three.
I think ultimately the central arc of the film is a little odd, and is really a repeat of the last film, apart from it contradicts it slightly. Surely the lesson of toy story three wasn't that woody needed to be with bonny, he needed to be with his friends, and he'd be fine as long as he was with them. Sure, woody being obsessive about helping bonny is a not completely unrealistic arc for him, but the conclusion being that he should abandon bonny to be with Bo ignores that he would be abandoning all his friends! In general this film really short changes the ensemble, some of whom barely get a line. Woody has been the lead in all three films but the rest have had plenty to do, in this to motivate woody essentially never seeing his friends ever again they downplay their relationship enormously, and I think that's a shame.
Also, while amusing, buzz's subplot where be thinks his inner voice is his buttons seems to cast him as much dumber than he is
posted by Cannon Fodder at 11:37 AM on August 22, 2020
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“How am I alive?”
“I don’t know”
posted by Huffy Puffy at 2:05 PM on June 24, 2019 [1 favorite]