Toy Story 5

Directed by Andrew Stanton and Kenna Harris, Toy Story 5 follows Woody (Tom Hanks), Buzz (Tim Allen), and the rest of the gang as they attempt to stave off obsolescence in the face of encroaching technology. Filmmakers Stanton and Harris, armed with their own screenplay, deliver a slightly erratic yet completely satisfying sequel that boasts its fair share of engrossing, thrilling digressions and set-pieces, and it’s clear, too, that the movie benefits substantially from its recurring emphasis on the emotionally-devastating exploits of Scarlett Spears’ Bonnie – with the impact of Bonnie’s various scenes lending the picture a palpably grounded feel that proves impossible to resist. And while the film admittedly feels just a little long at 102 minutes (ie there are, unfortunately, a handful of regrettable lulls throughout), Toy Story 5, which boasts several laugh-out-loud funny characters and interactions (eg virtually everything involving Conan O’Brien’s Smarty Pants is terrific and hilarious), ultimately comes off as a first-class entry within a remarkable consistent animated franchise – which is no small feat, certainly, given the superlative bent of the series’ first three entries.

**** out of ****