GoKawiilTechnology has always been central to Pixar's filmmaking process, but with Toy Story 5, it becomes part of the story itself. The result is a timely, relatable sequel that carries the franchise forward while staying true to its emotional core.
Like its predecessors, Toy Story 5 is brimming with witty humor, heartfelt storytelling and a cast of lovable characters. I was hooked from start to finish, alternating between fits of laughter and moments of genuine heartbreak. The narrative will be comforting to those who grew up with the movies while resonating with anyone entering this world for the first time.
Grounded in the core themes of loyalty, friendship and letting go, the film avoids hollow nostalgia and recycled plotlines in favor of a fresh, contemporary spin. Toy Story 5 hits theaters June 19.
Bonnie, now 8 years old in the franchise, is struggling to understand why no one wants to be her friend or play with her. She comes to a painful realization: Everyone would rather be glued to their gadgets. The toys that once dominated playtime have been relegated to dusty drawers and boxes in exchange for the bright, alluring screens of tablets, phones and computers.
Eventually, Bonnie gets her own tablet called Lilypad and is immediately entranced. She casts aside her toys and spends nearly every waking moment scrolling, tapping and chatting with new friends who have similarly excessive screentimes. This being a Toy Story movie, Lilypad naturally has a mind of her own, making it her mission to link Bonnie with friends online, even if it means her old toys get left behind.
The toys are wary of how much Lilypad commands Bonnie's attention. Pixar
Our beloved toy protagonists, including Jessie, Woody and Buzz Lightyear, are, of course, horrified by what they see. As Jessie grapples with being neglected, she gazes into the windows of nearby homes, where every face is lit by the glow of a screen. She says with equal parts alarm and wonder, "Look at them all, all on devices."
It's a sobering moment that mirrors the bleakness of our current tech-centric world, where real-life connections and experiences are often supplanted by hollow virtual ones.
As Woody succinctly puts it, "Toys are for play, but tech is for everything." How could they possibly compete?
The movie offers a poignant look at our digital lives, exploring the isolation that grows when fleeting virtual connections replace tangible, real-world bonds and imaginative play.
... continue reading