The Power of Pixar: Toy Story 4
Article by Joana Kim and photo by Kristy Leung
After getting Disney+ this month, I took the liberty of re-watching Toy Story 4 on a weekend whim. It was my first time re-watching it after seeing it in theatres last summer. Funny enough, both experiences of watching the movie instilled in me feelings of being young and old at the same time, and I think many of those who grew up familiar with the long-lasting franchise can relate. Although Toy Story 1 and 2 did come out before I was even born, I grew up watching the films; so when hearing about the release of Toy Story 4 coming almost a decade after what many assumed to be the ending, there was a hint of hesitancy on my mind whether a fourth would be able to step into the big shoes left by the previous three films. After all, it’s not always that an original movie even gets a sequel, or three for that matter.
But before digging further into my personal notions of what is most likely the finale of the Toy Story series, I think a few questions must be asked.
What makes Toy Story so good? Or stepping further back: What makes Pixar movies so good? Like many, I loved watching Pixar movies as a kid: the Incredibles, Up, Finding Nemo - you name it. And now being older, it’d make sense to say that a large factor for my enjoyment of these movies is attributed to the same reason why my favourite movies from when I was age 10 aren’t exactly my top picks now - my range of taste and entertainment has grown over time.
But, child or not, I still find that there’s something about Pixar that can keep me thoroughly entertained and emotionally invested in movies like Toy Story. And the truth is, as Pixar veteran Craig Good explains it, “Pixar does not make children’s films.” Good further goes on to say that Pixar produces movies their employees would want to see; their audience reach is extended to everyone and anyone who enjoys a good story. In fact, if a storyline or “look” doesn’t keep an audience interested or producers passionate, it signals a need for an immediate improvement or it’s just never executed. Even the first story hook draft for Monsters’ Inc. was initially rejected after being met with boredom.
Pixar’s movies reach a wide range of ages because within the new world perspectives of toys, monsters, and cars, its storytelling is simply and genuinely human, and the audience is able to feel the emotional depth seamlessly woven into the film. And this is no exception for the Toy Story saga, or in this particular case, Toy Story 4.
When Toy Story 4 came out in theatres last summer, there were critics who said that the long-lasting franchise should have ended at Toy Story 3, while others professed that the ending of Toy Story 4 was just what was needed. Creator Josh Cooley explains the decision behind the continuation saying, “...we loved the end of Toy Story 3 and feel like that’s the completion of Woody and Andy’s story, but there’s more of Woody’s story to tell.”
And just so, one of my favourite parts about the movie was being able to see the character development of Woody, the toy sheriff and beloved leader of “the gang.” Starting off in the first Toy Story feeling threatened by Buzz Lightyear potentially replacing him as Andy’s favourite toy, Woody’s fear of becoming useless and losing his purpose is evident in the fourth movie too, but there is a noble growth in how he handles it this time around. To the new, wide-eyed (literally and metaphorically) spork Forky experiencing an existential crisis, Woody stays by his side, constantly reminding the toy that Bonnie, the owner, needs him - despite Woody’s own struggles in believing that for himself. As the characters struggle to find their places in a toy’s world, it holds a parallel message to the audience as a lesson that there is always purpose to where one is and to the direction they must head towards next.
In regards to the movie, Tom Hanks, who voices Woody, states: “When I realized what they were going for, I realized, ‘Oh, this is a moment in history. The emotional range of the movies has become more and more deep and profound and affecting.”
It’s true. To be honest, I don’t know if this movie was necessary in officially ending the Toy Story chronicles since what I loved the most about the movies - the strong friendships among the toys - were in my opinion, abundantly exemplified in the third movie. However, Toy Story 4 was definitely historical, not only in its incredibly advanced animation and computer graphics, but also in how well it represented what Pixar does best - connecting and broadening perspectives of children and adults alike. And in doing that Toy Story, with all its four films, offers you the heartfelt, authentic experience of growing up with a movie that also grows up with you.
Sources
https://www.businessinsider.com/why-pixar-movies-are-so-good-2015-7
https://slate.com/human-interest/2017/04/what-makes-pixars-movies-exceptional.html
https://www.today.com/popculture/tom-hanks-calls-emotional-toy-story-4-ending-moment-history-t141209
https://www.cinemablend.com/news/2475031/toy-story-4-director-explains-why-the-toy-story-movies-didnt-end-with-3