If you were like me you might have worried a bit over yet another installment in the Toy Story franchise. Afterall, Toy Story 3 ended pretty perfectly. Did we need a Toy Story 4? My Toy Story 4 review covers that question! And as always there’s a Toy Story 4 parent movie review for you to decide if Toy Story 4 is safe for kids (yes, there are a few things you need to be aware of!).
If you are new around here you might not know (yet!) of my overwhelming love of all things Pixar and Disney. One of the biggest thrills of my career as an entertainment reporter was touring Pixar Studios as part of the Incredibles 2 press event.
I’ll freely admit my bias here when it comes to Pixar- I puffy pink heart love the studio and the stories they tell. For the most part, anyway. I try not to think about Cars 2 or The Good Dino too much. Ahem.
That being said, it might surprise you that I wasn’t someone jumping up and down when the news of Toy Story 4 hit at the D23 Expo in 2015. In fact, I clutched my pearls, and said PLEASE DON’T MESS WITH PERFECTION, PIXAR!
TOY STORY 4 – (L-R) Trixie, Buttercup, Mr. Pricklepants, Dolly, Buzz Lightyear, Hamm, Rex, Aliens, Jessie, Slinky Dog, Bullseye and Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head. ©2019 Disney/Pixar. All Rights Reserved.
Guys- why do we worry so much? Pixar loves our Toy Story pals just as much (ok, so probably more) than we do. And they most certainly did not ruin the franchise with Toy Story 4.
Was this movie needed? Ah- I’m going to say no. Don’t hate me, Pixar! I still love you!
As I said, Toy Story 3 wrapped up the arc pretty well for me. However, Toy Story 4 is a wonderful story with depth, love, laughter and some tears which makes it a most welcome addition.
I have no regrets or issues with the movie as a whole, I just can’t go as far as saying we “needed” another story.
THREE-IN-ONE – He’s not a fork. He’s not a spoon. And most of all, Forky is not a toy! At least that’s what he thinks. Bonnie created him from an assortment of supplies Woody’s retrieved from the kindergarten trash can. So, it’s no wonder Forky feels strongly that he’s trash and not a toy. Featuring Tony Hale as the voice of Forky, Disney and Pixar’s “Toy Story 4” opens in U.S. theaters on June 21, 2019. ©2019 Disney/Pixar. All Rights Reserved.
Table of Contents
About Toy Story 4
Woody (voice of Tom Hanks) has always been confident about his place in the world, and that his priority is taking care of his kid, whether that’s Andy or Bonnie.
So when Bonnie’s beloved new craft-project-turned-toy, Forky (voice of Tony Hale), declares himself as “trash” and not a toy, Woody takes it upon himself to show Forky why he should embrace being a toy. But when Bonnie takes the whole gang on her family’s road trip excursion, Woody ends up on an unexpected detour that includes a reunion with his long-lost friend Bo Peep (voice of Annie Potts). After years of being on her own, Bo’s adventurous spirit and life on the road belie her delicate porcelain exterior.
As Woody and Bo realize they’re worlds apart when it comes to life as a toy, they soon come to find that’s the least of their worries.
Rated: PG
Run Time: 100 Minutes
No-Guilt Fangirls Podcast Toy Story 4 Review
Are There End Credit Scenes In Toy Story 4?
It’s Pixar! What do you think?
Yup- stick around until the full credits start rolling. There are end credit scenes to watch in Toy Story 4 and you don’t want to miss them.
Plus you know you gotta see the Toy Story production babies list at the end of the credits because awwwww! Fun fact: each Pixar film takes 4-6 years to produce, so you know there’s a lot of babies being born during that time. Pixar gives a nod to the families and their dedication at the end of every film.
When Can You Pee During Toy Story 4?
This one was tough for me. I kept looking for that hole to dash out knowing that little kids might have a hard time sitting still for a 100 minute movie. So when can you pee during this movie?
I think you can run to the bathroom during Toy Story 4 at these times and not miss too much of the action:
- When Woody declines help from Buzz in the RV. “We’re just stuck in the RV, I’ve got this!”
- When Bo & Woody climb the carousel
- After Duke Caboom has a big jump
ps- Disney took my phone so I was writing in the dark and don’t have the timing down as I usually do!
FRIENDS IN LOW PLACES — In Disney and Pixar’s “Toy Story 4,” the toys find themselves in the dusty shadows of Second Chance Antiques—a massive set that had to be stocked with thousands of objects, creating nooks and crannies that serve as the toys’ secret corridors. Featuring Annie Potts, Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Jordan Peele and Keegan-Michael Key as the voices of Bo Peep, Woody, Buzz Lightyear, Bunny and Ducky, “Toy Story 4” opens in U.S. theaters on June 21, 2019. ©2019 Disney/Pixar. All Rights Reserved.
Toy Story 4 Parent Movie Review
As a general Toy Story 4 review, I adored the movie- it’s sweet, it’s got a solid 4th story to tell, and it’s got more than a few good lessons tucked inside.
All good things from Pixar and all good reasons to see this movie opening weekend. If you love Toy Story, you will absolutely love this movie and be glad that Pixar doesn’t listen to me when it comes to things like making a 4th movie.
I was afraid that my Keanussance might be shattered if Keanu Reeves didn’t have a large enough role in the movie, but no fears: there’s plenty of Duke Caboom, Canada’s greatest stuntman, to go around. Fangirl on, Keanu Reeves lovers! He’s delightful.
YES HE CANADA! – In Disney and Pixar’s “Toy Story 4,” Duke Caboom is a 1970s toy based on Canada’s greatest stuntman. Riding his powerful Caboom stunt-cycle, Duke is always prepared to show off his stunt poses with confidence and swagger. However, Duke has an Achilles heel: He has never been able to do the awesome stunts advertised in his own toy commercial. Featuring Keanu Reeves as the voice of Duke, “Toy Story 4” opens in U.S. theaters on June 21, 2019. ©2019 Disney/Pixar. All Rights Reserved.
While we meet a lot of new and interesting toys- and I loved all of them- this story is mostly about Bo and Woody. That might be surprising and a bit disappointing for the Buzz Lightyear fans out there. He’s around, he has some fun moments, but he’s not the star of this show.
Will Your Kids Love Toy Story 4?
As far as what your kids will think: mine (ages 8 to 16) all loved it. They laughed, they clapped, and they smiled through most of the film.
My oldest daughter had some strong words and thoughts on the ending that I can’t go into for fear of spoiling things. But let’s just say that everyone had a lot of emotions over the way this story concluded.
Parents: be prepared with some tissues, this time for your whole family, not just yourself!
PICK ME! — Ducky and Bunny are carnival prizes who are eager to be won. But when their plans are rudely interrupted, they find themselves on an unexpected adventure with a group of toys who have no idea what it feels like to be tacked to a prize wall. Funny men Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele provide the voices of Ducky and Bunny, respectively. Directed by Josh Cooley (“Riley’s First Date?”) and produced by Jonas Rivera (“Inside Out,” “Up”) and Mark Nielsen (associate producer “Inside Out”), “Toy Story 4” ventures to U.S. theaters on June 21, 2019. ©2018 Disney•Pixar. All Rights Reserved.
I did not catch any language to be aware of or concerned about in this movie and felt Pixar kept things pretty clean. Huzzah, Pixar!
The biggest issue you need to be aware of as far as a parent movie review is a dark and sinister feel that comes about once the toys meet up in the Second Chance Antique Shop.
Gabby and her ventriloquist dummy henchmen are a bit frightening, to be honest. Like- super creepy. Uncomfortably creepy.
Gabby and her ventriloquist dummy henchmen are a bit frightening, to be honest. Like- super creepy. Uncomfortably creepy. GABBY GABBY – In Disney•Pixar’s “Toy Story 4,” Woody finds himself in Second Chance Antiques, home to an adorable, talking pull-string doll from the 1950s and her crew of voiceless ventriloquist dummies. Unfortunately for Gabby Gabby, a manufacturing defect in her pull-string voice box has left her sounding anything but adorable. Christina Hendricks lends her voice to Gabby Gabby. “Toy Story 4” opens in U.S. theaters on June 21, 2019…©2019 Disney•Pixar. All Rights Reserved.
My youngest and my oldest were both flinching a bit during some of these scenes. Be prepared to have a kiddo climb into your lap during these moments!
Sensitivity alert: without giving anything away, if you have super sweet and caring and emotionally sensitive kiddos, be prepared to comfort them a bit here. The story lines are emotional and sweet, but there may be some tears along the way as well.
Other than these two parental warnings, I can’t think of any reason NOT to take the family to this one!
Rating: 9/10
Toy Story 4 opens in theaters nationwide on June 21, 2019.
Need more Toy Story news? Be sure to read this interview with the Toy Story cast and this one with Annie Potts!
Patty Holliday is a parent movie reviewer, writer, and podcaster living in the Washington, DC area. Her goal is to bridge the gap between casual fandom and picky critic with parent movie and television reviews. As a lifelong fangirl and pop culture connoisseur, she’s been creating online since 2009. You can find her work at No-Guilt Disney.com, No-Guilt Fangirl.com, No-Guilt Life, and as host of the top-rated No-Guilt Disney Podcast.