Movie Review: Toy Story 5

https://youtu.be/QftAW9TTmuQ?si=CA_k_2yB9uy3I1N0

Directed by Academy Award winner Andrew Stanton, Toy Story 5 takes the franchise in a modern direction by pitting traditional toys against the ultimate contemporary rival: screen time. The story follows Woody, Buzz Lightyear, and Jessie as they face an existential threat from Lilypad, a frog-shaped tablet device that captures the obsession of their kid, Bonnie. This fifth installment explores the struggle of analog playthings trying to stay relevant in an era of digital distractions.

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I'm going to say this upfront: I think Toy Story 5 might be the best sequel in the franchise since Toy Story 3.

If I had to rank all the movies, my list would probably go: Toy Story, Toy Story 3, Toy Story 5, Toy Story 2, and finally Toy Story 4. Of course, nothing can top the original. It introduced us to these incredible characters more than 30 years ago and completely changed animated movies forever. I literally grew up with Woody, Buzz, and the gang. And considering I'm still buying and collecting toys today, I'd like to think my toys are pretty proud of themselves for doing their job right.

What makes Toy Story 5 special is that the story feels long overdue.

When Disney first announced Toy Story 3, I remember imagining a future installment where the toys would have to compete with technology for a child's attention. Back then, smartphones and tablets were becoming a bigger part of everyday life, and I wondered how Woody and Buzz would react if they were no longer a kid's first choice for entertainment. So finally seeing that idea brought to life all these years later was surprisingly emotional.

After Toy Story 4, I honestly thought the franchise might need a break. It felt like the story had reached a natural conclusion. But somehow, Toy Story continues to find ways to stay relevant to the generation it is released for. This time, the movie tackles children's relationship with technology, and I think it does so brilliantly.

What I appreciate most is that the film doesn't try to lecture parents or become a public service announcement about screen time. It simply presents a situation and allows audiences to draw their own conclusions. It shows what can happen when technology becomes a child's primary source of entertainment and lets parents reflect on that themselves. The message feels organic rather than preachy, which makes it much more effective.

Of course, this is Toy Story, so you already know there will be tears.

The magic of this franchise has always been its ability to make us emotionally attached to objects that aren't even alive. From the very first movie, Pixar somehow convinced us that our toys have feelings, dreams, fears, and insecurities. This installment continues that tradition beautifully.

What hit me the hardest was seeing the toys question their purpose. Watching them feel like they had failed because they could no longer keep their kid entertained genuinely broke my heart. Seeing them struggle against technology wasn't just about toys versus tablets—it was about feeling replaced, forgotten, and no longer needed.

Maybe that's why this movie affected me so much.

I never want anyone—or anything—to feel like they're not enough. Watching Woody, Buzz, Jessie, and the others wrestle with those feelings made me want to go home and thank my own toys for all the years they spent keeping me company and fueling my imagination. I know that sounds ridiculous, but if you've grown up with this franchise, you'll understand exactly what I mean.

Now, is the movie perfect?

Not quite.

There are a few questionable plot points, and some of the ways technology is portrayed feel a little exaggerated. The transitions between the main story and the subplot can also feel slightly choppy at times. But honestly? I don't even care.

Because when the final act arrives, everything comes together in such a satisfying and emotional way that I was willing to forgive every little flaw.

This is easily the best animated movie I've watched this year after Hoppers, and honestly, it's one of my favorite movies of the year overall.

The nostalgia? Check.

The humor? 10/10.

The action? Check.

The emotional damage? Absolutely.

I'm giving Toy Story 5 a 10/10 because it simply does everything I want a Toy Story movie to do. It made me laugh, made me cry, made me nostalgic, and reminded me why I've loved this franchise for more than three decades.

To infinity and beyond, indeed.