Pixar’s Toy Story films are often considered the greatest animated features of all time and with good reason. Not only for the technological aspect but for the outstanding achievements in storytelling. Despite the rarity of having a near-perfect trilogy, most fans (myself included) questioned if Toy Story 4 was even necessary. However, this is Pixar we’re talking about so no one is getting away without a punch right in the feels.
With Toy Story 4, that punch is coming from a slightly darker place.
In Toy Story, Woody helps Buzz Lightyear realize there’s no greater power than a kid’s imagination. Toy Story 2 solidifies the notion toys aren’t meant to be collected but to be played with. It all comes full circle in Toy Story 3 when the gang is forced to accept all kids eventually grow up. Thankfully the toys get a second chance when Andy gives them all to a toddler named Bonnie.
Imagination is not only the job of these toys but it’s their sole purpose for existing. It figuratively and literally gives them life. When toys are not being played with they end up in this docile state of half-living, this universe’s closest thing to death. Even with various ways around it, the Toy Story franchise proves time and time again toys need kids just as much as kids need toys.
Making that story element work is the viewer’s longing for their lost child-like innocence.
It’s no secret Pixar films are mostly fueled by our sentimentality. Be it, Coco, Up!, Finding Nemo and even Cars (to a degree), all Pixar films are based around our need for a place to stay without compromising the quirks that make us who we are. With that said, Toy Story 4 goes for it in a completely unexpected way by contradicting the 3 films that came before it.
Toy Story 4 begins with Woody refusing to admit Bonnie plays with him less and less. Not only does this sort of un-do the sweet ending of Toy Story 3, but maybe even the original as well. During Bonnie’s first day of kindergarten, she nervously creates a new toy made up random crafts and junk. This toy (aptly named Forky) springs to life but not entirely sure why. Forky gives Bonnie the confidence to stay in school and inadvertently gives Woody a new lease on life. He may not be Bonnie’s favorite toy but protecting Forky’s well-being is as good as purpose as any.
It’s the addition of Forky that made me realize the depth of Toy Story 4.
Forky doesn’t know why he’s a living being, all he knows is he’s made up of trash and doesn’t want to be a toy. He spends most of his first few scenes trying to throw himself away as Woody tries to convince him to stick around. If not for his own sake but because it’s so important to Bonnie. As endearing as these sequences are, Forky is essentially on suicide watch. He doesn’t want to be a toy, he wants to go back to not existing.
This is a Pixar film’s take on suicide. Just let that soak in for a minute.
Later in the film, Forky gets lost while Bonnie’s family is on a road trip and the toys make it their mission to get him back. Along the way, Woody meets other toys such as the villainous Gabby Gabby, carnival plushies Ducky & Bunny, Duke Kaboom, as well as his former fling Bo-Peep. In pure Disney fashion, everything comes together and it’s happy ever after for most of the toys. But before reaching a wholesome and bittersweet ending, Toy Story 4 explores darker territory by touching upon things most its target audience has yet to experience.
Insecurity, abandonment, obsession, and even hypocrisy are all explored without resorting to the tired tropes found in most family films. Each main character’s world view is challenged in such interesting ways, it’s hard to deny art imitating life. Not all of the challenges are positive ones either. Some character arcs question their existence in previous films such as loyalty versus unconditional love. Or my personal favorite; the letting go and accepting things as they are.
Of all the life lessons dished out in Toy Story 4, none is more poignant than the freedom and imprisonment of the inevitable.
Every story arc comes back around to how we always find ourselves living for something that doesn’t always live for us. It was satisfying how Toy Story 3 ended with the toys finding a new owner. But just like Andy before her, Bonnie will grow up and apart from her favorite toys. The people we love the most will eventually die. Even our most sincere virtues are pointless in the grand scheme of things. Owning up to the idea that anyone and everyone is capable of letting you down, doesn’t mean giving up. It’s merely accepting life isn’t perfect and no matter how much we love something, it’s not guaranteeing immortality.
As we’ve seen so many times in this franchise, nothing means more to Woody than loyalty. Its what he has formed his entire identity around. But at what cost? Most of the toys in Toy Story 4 are miserable needy pieces of fluff and plastic waiting to be forgotten about or facing their impending doom of abandonment. Like Forky, we didn’t even ask to be created, much less be so important to someone else. In fact, most of us deep down know we’re trash and would love nothing more than to revel in it.
Putting it that way might sound cold and harsh but within this bleak honesty is a certain, indescribable beauty.
Each of us love something or someone more than they or we deserve. We devote our lives to passing ideas or morals. We’re constantly mistaking dreams for the real thing. If there’s one point Toy Story 4 drives home its that we’re all sad, insecure wrecks. Whether or not we care to admit it, we’re all looking for the even the smallest sliver of happiness. Regardless if it’s superficial, we all need a purpose to justify our existence and Toy Story 4 not only recognizes this, it embellishes it. Life isn’t about perfect endings, it’s about finding considerable amounts of happiness before life outgrows you and moves on.
If you thought Toy Story 3 was the perfect way to close-out a beloved franchise and anything after that ruins it, you’re completely right! Toy Story 4 does, in fact, ruin Toy Story 3 and probably parts 1 and 2 as well. But maybe that’s the point? Nothing lasts forever and the sooner we accept it, the sooner we can move toward finding our own peace. After 4 films over the course of 25 years, Toy Story 4 encourages us to finally put the toys away and find our happiness outside of nostalgic attachment.