[Movie Review] Toy Story 5: A Nostalgic Battle Between Classic Toys and Big Tech

I recently caught the preview screening of Disney and Pixar’s Toy Story 5 with my son Asher. After enjoying a slew of Toy Story 5 themed drinks and snacks like Magnolia milk, Luckin coffee and Wall’s ice cream at pop up booths outside the cinema halls, we settled in for what turned out to be a super nostalgic recap of all the previous adventures.

It is understandably hard to keep making a better movie four more times after the original classic, but this latest instalment is a decent attempt. The film is worth watching, especially considering it took 7 years before this 5th movie finally came to our screens.

The plot this time around shifts the spotlight away from the usual dynamic duo of Woody and Buzz Lightyear. Instead, the narrative heavily focuses on Jessie the cowgirl, voiced once again by Joan Cusack.

The central conflict is crucially current for parents today. Eight year old Bonnie is struggling to make friends in a world where physical toys are deemed obsolete by her peers. To help her fit in, her parents buy her a Lilypad, a frog shaped smart tablet voiced by Greta Lee. Bonnie immediately becomes obsessed with the device, leaving Jessie, Buzz, and the rest of the gang abandoned in the garage.

This setup launches Jessie and her trusty horse Bullseye on a wild adventure that eventually leads them to a farm where a young girl named Blaze still appreciates good old fashioned imaginative play.

When the film portrays true imaginative play, it bursts into dreamy comedy sequences with fluorescent colours that attempts to illustrate a child’s raw creativity. We love this creative treatment and found the audience laughing the most when these scenes were playing.

Along the way, we are introduced to a hilarious crew of obsolete battery powered tech toys.

The standout character is undoubtedly a potty training device named Smarty Pants, brought to life with manic energy by Conan O’Brien. The film also features a whole new gang of discarded gadgets like a GPS hippo named Atlas voiced by Craig Robinson and a kiddie camera named Snappy voiced by Shelby Rabara.

Meanwhile, Woody, who now sports a bald patch and a bit of a paunch, teams up with an army of Buzz Lightyear action figures stuck in demo mode to help save the day. For those whoe grew up watching the first Toy Story movie, seeing the former aged with a “bald patch” on the big screen is well worth the ticket alone.

While the movie is visually stunning and packed with engaging moments, the multiple subplots can get a little distracting. You have Jessie trying to unite Bonnie and Blaze, Buzz trying to build up the courage to propose to Jessie, and Woody grappling with his own aging. However, the story does manage to converge quite nicely into one cohesive message by the end. Pacing was also done fast and efficient, leaving no room for any dull moments.

Globally, the film has split critics right down the middle.

Some reviewers praise it as a nimble and irresistible sequel that boldly takes on the very real threat of big tech and screen addiction. They appreciate how it highlights the importance of real world connection and forces audiences to reflect on how technology is changing childhood.

On the other hand, more cynical critics feel the franchise is finally showing its age. They argue that the emotional stakes feel underwhelming compared to earlier editions, and they point out that the movie ultimately delivers a slightly compromised message about finding a balance with technology rather than taking a firm stand.

Critics being critics, it is impossible for them to be aligned. For us, as part of the ordinary public, our overall experience was generally positive.

Toy Story 5 manages to integrate classic characters with new faces while tackling a subject that strikes terror in the hearts of modern parents everywhere. It might not reach the absolute perfect heights of its earliest predecessors, but it remains a warm, funny, and relatable family adventure. Best of all, for parents with young kids, it prepares you for the much needed conversations with them about screen time once the credits roll. This is the perfect entertainment for the whole family this June holiday.

Disney and Pixar’s Toy Story 5 is now showing in Singapore. Go catch it!