Review by: John M Delia, Jr.
The entire gang is back and this time they find a new and exciting adventure that will keep you guessing. So, did you ever wonder if Woody had a girlfriend? Do they have true emotions and are able to experience love? Are there other interesting toys that we will grow to love? This story will answer all these questions and more.
Woody (Tom Hanks) had a relationship, we kind of suspected but now we get to see how much of a relationship there was between Woody and Bo Peep (Annie Potts). Before Bonnie when Andy was still young Woody had feelings for Bo, who was Andy’s sister’s lamp, and she has feelings for him. Back then Bo had a flock to tend, Billy/Goat/Gruff (Emily Davis) and was there whenever Woody needed help. Until one night when Andy’s Mom (Laurie Metcalf) decided it was time for Bo and her flock to have a new home.
Years have passed, now Woody and the gang belong to Bonnie (Madeleine McGraw) a little girl that is beginning to attend school for the first time. School can be scary for first timer and for Bonnie it’s just that. When Bonnie goes to kindergarten orientation she is terrified about making new friends, that she struggles meeting the other kids and decides to create a new friend instead, that she calls Forky (Tony Hale).
Bonnie’s family decides to go on a vacation, before school starts in hopes of making the transition easier for her. The whole gang comes along, Tim Allen (Buzz Lightyear), Jessie (Joan Cusack), Dolly (Bonnie Hunt), Rex (Wallace Shawn), Hamm (John Ratzenberger), Slinky Dog (Blake Clark), Mr. Potato Head (Don Rickles), Buttercup (Jeff Garlin), and Mrs. Potato Head (Estelle Harris), and the adventure grows from here. During the vacation Woody discovers and makes friends with some carnival animals, Ducky (Keegan-Michael Key), and Bunny (Jordan Peele), as well as a daredevil named, Duke Kaboom (Keanu Reeves).
Director Josh Cooley built a good storyline that brings these characters on an adventurous rollercoaster ride that is sure to entertain. This interesting adventure explores the many different emotions that a toy can possess. Josh as puts together spectacular animated special effects keeping with the same theme from the previous three films, but goes much further to bring almost a realistic look.
The story continues using the same track as its predecessors and does bring more to these characters, but lacks originality. This entertaining film is worth watching, but unless you plan to watch it in IMAX or digital 3D, it can wait until it’s on Blu-ray.
Final Comment: I based my grade on the entertaining storyline, and the excellent animated special effects. (3.5 out of 5 Stars)
Additional Film Information
Cast: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Annie Potts, Laurie Metcalf, Mel Brooks, Carl Weathers, John Ratzenberger, Wallace Shawn, Joan Cusack, Bonnie Hunt, Keanu Reeves, Jordan Peele, Keegan-Michael Key, Tony Hale, Estelle Harris, and Carol Burnett.
Directed and written by: Josh Cooley
Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Family, and Fantasy.
MPAA Rating: G
Running Time: 1 hour and 40 minutes
Release Date: Â June 21, 2019
Distributed By: Walt Disney Studies Motion Pictures
Release In: Standard, Digital 3D, Digital 4K, IMAX, and Dolby Digital