The original Toy Story — made, I’m sorry to report, a full 31 years ago — was a minor masterpiece of animation. Even more so, it was a technological marvel. The first fully computer-animated film, it was a herald of the future, both rich in promise and laden with questions about the role of human artists in an increasingly digital world. Three decades later, the series is now casting modern technology as the enemy, as its living toys contend with the arrival of a child-distracting tablet computer in Toy Story 5.

Toy Story 5 Movie Review: You’ve Got a Friend in Lily

Bonnie (Scarlett Spears), the young girl that ended up with our cast of playthings a few movies ago, has an imagination that can’t be matched — but she has trouble relating to other kids. Her parents gamble on a high-tech solution and buy her a tablet named Lilypad (Greta Lee), hoping that its kid-friendly social functions will help her connect with other children.

Lilypad can’t quite fit Bonnie into its algorithm, however, quickly matching her with a mean-girl trio who mock her for her affinity for IRL play. The bullying sends Bonnie into a spiral of shamed silence — and makes our toys, particularly the tenacious cowgirl Jessie (Joan Cusack), desperate for a solution and questioning their own purpose.

If you noticed that I haven’t mentioned many of the series’ main characters yet, that’s because they’re sidelined from the main action, one of many flaws in the script. The plot in Toy Story 5 is fractured, jumping between threads in a desperate attempt to keep everyone involved. Woody (Tom Hanks) comes back from self-imposed exile when Jessie calls for help; a trio of obsolete gadgets attempts to convince Jessie that progress has its place; a fleet of waylaid Buzz Lightyear toys (many instances of Tim Allen) attempt to find … Star Command, I think? It’s a bit muddy.

Talent — and Nostalgia — Keep the Batteries Charged

Toy Story 5 is certainly the weakest entry in the series; while many bemoaned the previous sequel spoiling the perfect ending delivered in Toy Story 3, the fourth installment was far more cohesive and inventive than this chapter.

Fortunately, this world is so rich and charming that story flaws can’t sink the ship. The performers are clearly happy to be back, and newcomers including Conan O’Brien, Craig Robinson and Melissa Villaseñor fit right in. A marvelous score, once again by Randy Newman, helps ground the action.

For many, the characters and world of this franchise provide a direct connection to the heartstrings. (That certainly includes me; the first film came out when I was 10 years old.) And Toy Story 5 finds, amid its too-many threads and contrivances, moments of really emotional impact. When Bonnie discovers a piece of her past, you’ll fight off tears — even if some other dramatic scenes left you cold.

Does it have anything profound to say about the incursion of technology into children’s lives? No — in fact, the script could be accused of hand-waving those concerns. But, as always, this series is about childhood and the pain of growing up; those matters, while complicated by modern developments, are timeless.

After 31 years, it seems this series might be, too.

A Feature-Length Song Adaptation and More

Actress and singer/songwriter Hayley Kiyoko struck a chord with Girls Like Girls, a ballad of adolescent love that she later adapted into a music video and a young-adult novel. This week, she turns the tale into a feature film of the same name, starring Maya da Costa and Myra Molloy; Kiyoko directed and co-wrote the adaptation (with Stefanie Scott). Early reviews are positive; writing for The Hollywood Reporter, Angie Han called it “beautifully shot and tenderly acted.” Girls Like Girls is in wide release this week.

Less glowing reviews are out for Never Change!, an absurdist, fish-out-of-water comedy debuting this weekend on Hulu. The film follows a group of poorly behaved thirty-somethings forced back to high school due to a legal loophole. Actor John Reynolds, known for roles on Search Party, Stranger Things and Yellowjackets, writes and co-stars.

Celebrate a pair of anniversaries with screenings at AMC Theatres this week, as Ocean’s 11 celebrates its 25th and Raiders of the Lost Ark marks its 45th. If you only see one, there are few better in-theater experiences than Raiders, but if you have a great deal of free time ahead, both are absolutely worth revisiting.

Story by Sean Collier
Photos Courtesy of Pixar

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