After Toy Story 3 very neatly wrapped up the story of Woody, Buzz and the rest of Andy's toys, Disney Pixar has defied the odds and provided us with another adventure in Toy Story 4. The whole cast of characters return, and while the beginning of the film confusingly starts straight after Toy Story 2, it quickly moves back to Woody living with his new owner, Bonnie. Unlike with Andy, Woody isn't Bonnie's favorite and so there are times where he wouldn't be played with. Compounding this is when Bonnie goes to kindergarten and comes back with a self-made toy made from a plastic spork and various other bits and pieces. Forky, as he comes to be known, is a clever, imaginative and funny character, and while his charade can get tiring at one point, he is the focus of the film. Each film in the series had a clear moral but Toy Story 4 is muddier. It seems to retread the same things, and at the same time, throws them away. Once again, Woody finds another toy who had been discarded or who had never felt loved by a kid. As a result, Woody tries to help them. He ponders over the same topics, over the cycle of toys as owners grow up, and what to do when he is not being played with anymore. Like Toy Story 3, the ending seemingly leaves no room for any sequels, but unlike that film, Toy Story 4 has nowhere near the same amount of emotional impact. Toy Story 4 isn't a bad film, but it just feels like it doesn't quite reinvent itself like the first three did.
