Toy Story 5 (2026)
This was all in all okay, but I had hoped for something better. It was about time that Toy Story at least acknowledged that world has moved since the 1990s, but it still mostly playing catch up and the result is close to being reactionary. I did like that it centered more around the actual human children this time around, and it takes queues from Inside Out. Less focus on Buzz and Woody was also welcoming, and Jessie’s story was the most compelling as she shows real insight and growth when it comes to what the purpose of being a toy really comes down. The conflict with the screens has the right intentions, but how it is handled ended up being almost didactic, pretty predictable and not very interesting, as it never really challenges the audience. That said, the kids liked it and now they have seen it twice with pleasure, but honestly, it probably wont change their own view on how to play or their use of screens. Even from their young perspective, I think the films presentation of screens, regular toys and friendship are too simplistic and doesn’t even try to acknowledge the complex dynamics that kids these days navigate in.
Rating: 3