9/22/2023 0 Comments Pixar to infinity and beyond![]() ![]() The film chiefly crafts its analysis of Woody through interplay with a new character, Forky - a spork-turned-toy created by Bonnie. Then, “Toy Story 4” finds the only possible story thread worth coming back to: Woody’s emotional state in a world where Andy is gone and the toys’ new owner, Bonnie, doesn’t particularly care for him. Overall, we have one film in which Woody is the catalyst for Buzz’s development, one in which it’s the other way around, and one in which they can both see how well this development served them throughout Andy’s childhood. Finally, in “Toy Story 3,” Woody and Buzz realize their mission with Andy is complete, and that keeping the toys together is what’s most important. “Toy Story 2” then cleverly turns this relationship on its head: When Woody is tantalized by the prospect of being shipped off to a museum with a set of dolls he was meant to be a part of, it is Buzz who reminds him of his commitment to Andy and what being a toy is really about. He also helps the naive Buzz realize he is not a space ranger, but rather a toy meant to be played with and loved by Andy. In the original film, Woody grapples with the fact that he was replaced by Buzz Lightyear as the top toy in Andy’s room. One of the reasons the initial “Toy Story” trilogy works so well is that it offers a perfectly symmetrical narrative. During the aforementioned earnings call, Iger - who is known for Disney’s acquisitions of Pixar, Marvel Studios, and Lucasfilm - cited “Toy Story 5” and other announced sequels for “Frozen” and “Zootopia” as a “great example of how Disney is leaning into its unrivaled brands and franchises.” While Iger’s sentiment is undoubtedly spot-on, Disney doesn’t seem to have considered the full implications of revisiting “Toy Story” in particular. Long-time CEO Bob Iger, who recently returned to his post after Bob Chapek was ousted from the role, seems to be looking to restore faith in Disney’s storytelling, following a string of unfavorable business decisions that dominated Chapek’s time in office. In terms of business, “Toy Story 5” unfortunately makes more sense than most other projects Disney could greenlight, and that seems to be why they’re opting to extend the series yet again. Barring some sort of anthology story set during Andy’s childhood, it seems that “Toy Story 5” will be re-opening a can of worms on a narrative that has not only ended twice, but in a conclusive and satisfying fashion both times. Now, with the announcement of a fifth addition to the series, it simply feels like there’s nowhere left to go. ![]() So, while “Toy Story 4” is certainly no match for any of the first three, it provides what it feels is the true conclusion for the series’ main character, thus making a valid argument for why it deserves to exist. The fourth film in the series confronts feelings of self-doubt and purposelessness in a post-Andy Woody, interestingly challenging the penchant for loyalty central to his character. Just as Woody watches Andy drive away and utters the devastating line, “So long, partner,” it too seemed that Pixar was bidding a difficult goodbye to its most well-known series.Īt the time of the film’s development, it seemed everyone had the same question: Why disturb something that already feels so complete? Well, thankfully, Pixar’s answer was as thoughtful as it could’ve been. Even though the third entry in the series delivers this tough blow, it still manages to match the comedic and narrative highs of the first two films, and ultimately serves as a satisfying send-off to the characters audiences had come to know and love since the original “Toy Story” was released 15 years prior. When “Toy Story 3” was released in theaters in 2010, it was widely hailed as the perfect trilogy-capper for a series that focuses on the lives toys lead and the emotions they exhibit when their owners aren’t around, there was some hefty bittersweetness to the idea of Andy - the toys’ owner in the films - growing up and heading off to college. 8, and the choice to return to the world of “Toy Story” is confusing to say the least. ![]() It’s not common for a story to definitively conclude on three separate occasions, but alas, that’s the reality Pixar is headed for with the recently-announced “Toy Story 5.” The next sequel in the animation studio’s flagship series was confirmed by Disney CEO Bob Iger during a Quarter 1 earnings call on Feb. Against all odds, Woody and the gang are back for one last rodeo… again. ![]()
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