(Review) “Toy Story 5” is the comfort movie families need right now
Pixar has never been afraid to make audiences cry, but after attending an early screening of Disney and Pixar’s “Toy Story 5,” the feeling that stayed with me wasn’t heartbreak. It was comfort. After attending an early screening of the movie, I am sharing a spoiler-free review of “Toy Story 5” aimed at informing parents and fans alike.
At its core, “Toy Story 5” explores what happens when childhood collides with technology. Bonnie’s toys find themselves facing a new challenge when Lilypad, a tablet device with her own ideas about what’s best for their kid, enters the picture.
Thankfully, this isn’t an anti-screen lecture. This thoughtful look at how children grow up in a world increasingly shaped by devices is timely. It’s a reminder of how important it is to protect space for imagination, friendship and play.
As the parent of a child only slightly younger than Bonnie, the message resonated deeply. My son and I have had conversations about screen time before, but now we’ll have a shared story to point back to. “Toy Story 5” offers families a way to talk about growing up without rushing through childhood. It’s a goal I constantly have to reorient my family around.
Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios
Andrew Stanton brings Pixar back to its roots
This is the first “Toy Story” feature directed by Andrew Stanton, and his influence is unmistakable. The filmmaker behind “Finding Nemo,” “WALL-E,” and “Finding Dory” understands emotional storytelling. After worrying that Pixar might be drifting toward louder, more shocking storytelling (I’m eyerolling at you, “Hoppers”), “Toy Story 5” feels like a return to what made the studio special in the first place.
The character moments are spot on. The humor comes from personalities audiences have loved for decades. There is nothing overly dramatic, frightening, or designed simply for shock value.
It feels like one of the first major family films in a long time that trusts children to engage with sweetness instead of shock and spectacle.
Photo by Dani Meyering
Related: What the revamped Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin gets right.
Friendship still comes first
Over the past few months, Attractions Magazine has covered Disney’s renewed focus on play with experiences like Cool Kids’ Summer and Jessie’s Roundup at Magic Kingdom. During our visit to Jessie’s Roundup, the biggest benefit was watching kids play games together and become active participants during performances.
That same spirit runs through “Toy Story 5.” Even while exploring technology’s place in childhood, the film ultimately celebrates connection over convenience. It never feels preachy, just timely.
Photo by Dani Meyering
Props to the movie’s cast
Thirty years after audiences first met these toys, hearing the cast return carries its own emotional weight. Tom Hanks and Tim Allen slip comfortably back into their iconic roles, while Joan Cusack’s Jessie sounds a little rougher around the edges than she did in 1999. Rather than distracting from the experience, it serves as a reminder that time has passed for all of us.
The actors have aged. We’ve aged. But these characters still feel like home.
Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios
For years, “Toy Story 2” has been my favorite film in the franchise. After seeing “Toy Story 5,” I’m not sure that’s still true. This newest installment comes remarkably close to taking the top spot.
One final tip: stay through the credits for a fun mid-credits scene.
In a world that often encourages kids to grow up too quickly, “Toy Story 5” gently reminds families that they don’t have to. And right now, that kind of comfort feels like exactly what we need.
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