In an attempt to capture lightning in a bottle for the second time in a row, Pixar was going to need to pull all of the tools out of their chest (and maybe even some dark magic) to make Toy Story 5 work. While definitely more controversial than its predecessors, Toy Story 4 ended up being a worthwhile addition to a franchise most people had written off as being finished (at least in my opinion). So by all accounts, a fifth entry in a series that had seemingly spent the rest of its luck squeezing out a surprisingly good fourth entry after its third entry proved to be the ending to end all endings … yeah, this was always going to be an uphill battle.

And yet, Toy Story 5 succeeds in redefining its franchise by setting itself so staunchly apart from its last iteration. Toy Story 4 chose to justify its existence by finding new ways to explore its characters, whilst this entry justifies itself on the exploration of its world and concepts. How do toys continue on in a world that’s dead set on leaving them behind? Can they coexist with technology, or is it truly one or the other? A Toy Story film with this premise practically writes itself; it has so much potential, particularly in the ways Pixar can add nuance to the conversation.

It’s that subversion of expectations that goes a long way in making the film’s exploration of technology so compelling. We’ve seen so much media warning us of the dangers of social media and the rise of iPad babies. Speaking as someone who was growing up right as smartphones were really taking off, I found the way this movie tackled these themes to be quite refreshing, because it doesn’t paint tech as the ultimate evil. Not only is it a fun distraction, but it can allow us to meet people we never would have otherwise (I mean, this website is a testament to that).

However, when it comes to actual social interaction, we need a certain level of real-world tangibility, we need a distance from the absurd pressure social media imposes, and we need a place where imagination can run free with our friends, and I think that’s a lesson both children and adults can take note of. And heck, with the current state of the animation industry, having a movie that emphasizes the importance of the human element in an increasingly digital age is great to see from such a titan of the artform.

For a story about trying to combat the changing of the times, it makes total sense for Jessie to slide in as the main character this go-around. Her past experiences with abandonment sets her up as the primary opponent against technology that threatens to make her and her friends obsolete, and the characters and obstacles she encounters along the journey help to shape her arc about finding her place in all of this. She comes to accept that technology does have a helpful role to play, but that it doesn’t make the job she does any less valuable. If anything, in a world where kids are getting glued to their screens earlier and earlier, the time they spend playing with toys matters even more, because the memories they make together can last a lifetime.

It’s fantastic to see Jessie take the lead, as it serves as a refreshing change of pace. And even though Woody and Buzz take a backseat, I still really enjoyed their characters. Buzz is actually given interesting things to do here, and I found his plotline with Jessie to be really endearing. I also appreciate that they didn’t undo the ending of Toy Story 4 to have Woody here; I like the idea that he can pop back in at any time to give the toys a hand while still enjoying his new life. It’s great to see this duo paired up again; this feels like the most time the two have spent together since the first movie, considering the plot tended to separate them in each subsequent entry up until now.

While most of the older toys don’t get much time to shine (though, to be honest, I’m not really sure what’s left for them to do), the newer characters do a good job filling in the gap. Lilypad works really well as the main antagonist while not being an outright villain. She wants what the toys want, but their philosophies put them at odds with each other. Smartypants and the other gadgets are really fun characters, and as superfluous as they may be, it was a delight to see the army of Buzzes running around and causing chaos like they’re in the Scrat sideplot of an Ice Age movie. They’re such a random inclusion, but I welcome their absurdity. And for once, Bonnie feels less like a plot device and more like an actual character. I think anyone can relate to her struggle of fitting in on some level, especially her tendency to change herself or deny aspects of herself just to fit the mold that her so-called “friends” want.

And, of course, Toy Story 5 certainly knows how to hit you in the feels. As with any film in this franchise, there is going to be that one scene that just punches you in the gut, and this one definitely had me tearing up in the theater. Perhaps that should be your main takeaway: that even 5 entries in, the Toy Story franchise is still able to keep intact what made it so special in the first place. Just like the toys themselves, these movies may not be the new kid on the block anymore, but there’s an undeniable charm that keeps them relevant for audiences of any generation. Pixar continues to tell timeless stories with these endearing characters that anyone at any age can find some solace in, be it a child with a long road ahead of them, or an adult looking back on yesteryear.

Rating: 4/5