Toy Story 4 Movie Review – Toys Believe in Second Chances
Woody and his pals hit the road to adventure and self-discovery.
Kidzworld reviews Toy Story 4. Woody and the gang take a funny, action-packed and heartwarming road trip that changes their lives for the better. A great extension or conclusion? to the Toy Story saga.
By: Lynn Barker
In a Toy Story 4 flashback, cowboy sheriff doll Woody (voice of Tom Hanks), his crush Bo Peep (Annie Potts) and the gang rescue a toy from the gutter only to see Bo Beep and her lamp be given away! Nine years later, Woody is slowly falling out of favor with his kid Bonnie (Madeleine McGraw) who plays more with Jessie (Joan Cusack) and other toys. On a summer road trip with the family, Woody reunites with Bo Peep as he and his buddies protect Bonnie’s new toy Forky (Tony Hale) and they face adventure in the big, outside world.
Toy Story 4 Trailer
A bumpy rideCourtesy of Disney•Pixar
Years Ago…
Back when Woody and his friends lived with first owner Andy, they save car toy R.C. from drowning in a street drain on a rainy night. Later Bo Peep, her lamp, and her three-headed sheep, Billy, Goat, and Gruff, get donated to a neighbor. Woody is heartbroken but Bo Peep knows things change.
Today
Woody feels a bit neglected by Bonnie who plays more with other toys. When she is off to a kindergarten orientation day, he stows away in her backpack and secretly helps her build a new toy out of trash during craft time. He is a plastic spork. Bonnie gives him a face, pipe cleaner arms and popsicle legs and names him Forky. Forky refuses to believe he is a toy, thinks he belongs in the trash and keeps hopping in the refuse can. Woody keeps retrieving him since Bonnie already loves him.
Bonnie creates ForkyCourtesy of Disney•Pixar
Road Trip
Before school starts, Bonnie, her parents and the toys go on a road trip in an RV. Still believing he is trash, Forky jumps out of the window forcing Woody to go out and rescue him while the family stops at an RV park. After finding Forky and convincing him that he’s wanted, Woody walks with him toward the RV park but discovers an antique store. When Woody sees Bo Peep’s lamp in the window, he reasons that his long lost love might be inside as well. He and Forky go inside via a mail slot to find her.
Woody and Forky walk toward the RV ParkCourtesy of Disney•Pixar
Scary Toys
The store is guarded by a bunch of weird-looking ventriloquist’s dolls called Vincent and a talking doll named Gabby Gabby (Christina Hendricks) whose pull-toy voice box is broken. She longs to belong to a child and thinks repairing it might do the trick. Hummm, Woody has one and she wants it.
Vincent and Gabby want Woody's voice boxCourtesy of Disney•Pixar
He is saved when a little girl takes him to a park leaving Forky behind. Meanwhile, Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) has gone to find Woody and been grabbed by a carnival game worker to serve as a prize toy! In the park, Woody discovers Bo Peep, her sheep and a tiny LEGO-like doll named Giggles McDimples (Ally Maki) who have been living in the park as lost toys for seven years!
Woody meets Bo Peep's tiny pal GigglesCourtesy of Disney•Pixar
Attempted Rescue
Bo Peep hates the antique store but Woody talks her into going back to save Forky while Buzz teams up with two stuffed animal prize toys named Ducky and Bunny (Jordan Peele and Keegan-Michael Key).
Buzz meets Ducky and BunnyCourtesy of Disney•Pixar
Jessie and the toys give the RV a flat tire so the family can’t leave before Woody, Buzz and Forky are found. Uniting with Buzz, the stuffed toys and Woody, Bo Peep leads the rescue attempt to save Forky in the store. After facing a feisty cat and other obstacles while trying to get Forky out of a locked glass case, the gang regroups.
The new team hopes to save ForkyCourtesy of Disney•Pixar
Adding Duke
Bo Peep introduces the gang to Duke Caboom (Keanu Reeves), a motorcycle stuntman toy that she is sure can help although he crashes a lot and has no faith in himself. Everyone gets out of the store safely but Forky is grabbed. Woody wants to go back in and get him but the others are just glad to escape. Even Buzz thinks they should go home. Woody bravely goes back inside because he thinks saving Forky is all he can do now for Bonnie. He trades his voice box to Gabby to get Forky released.
Will Duke Caboom crash again?Courtesy of Disney•Pixar
Second Chances
When it’s discovered that Bonnie has left her backpack at the antique store, the family heads there once the flat tire is changed.
In the RV, Bonnie's toys want to find WoodyCourtesy of Disney•Pixar
Meanwhile, Bo Peep and friends think they might just travel with the carnival and try to match toys with kids there. In the store, Woody’s voice box is transplanted to Gabby. The owner’s granddaughter notices her, picks her up, pulls the string and Gabby talks but the kid isn’t interested! Gabby didn’t get a kid! Woody convinces her that there are second chances. A child will want her for sure.
Final Outcome?
Will Gabby find a child to love her? Will Bo Peep and friends leave with the carnival? Will Woody and Forky be reunited with Bonnie or will Woody’s love for Bo Peep change his life?
Bo Peep might travel with the carnivalCourtesy of Disney•Pixar
Wrapping Up
Toy Story 4 has it all: heart, great animation, fun action, lots of laughs and great messages about second chances, listening to your conscience, loyalty and more. Yes the basic story fits the tried and true Toy Story formula…something goes wrong, the toys whip up crazy plans, are mostly successful and we get some life lessons but, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it! The film is a little slow in sections but is still fresh and fun. Whether Toy Story 4 is the last in the series or leaves room for more movies to follow, it’s one of the few sequels that works this summer so far!
Bonnie's toys watch as she goes to KindergartenCourtesy of Disney•Pixar
New characters are just great. Love the creepy ventriloquist dummies that scare humans and toys alike and the two new “plushie” carnival prize animals Ducky and Bunny (as well-voiced by comics Jordan Peele and Keegan-Michael Key) are hilarious! Forky, barely together and sooo minimal (people, he’s a plastic spork with a face), is somehow very sympathetic and winning. A new song featuring his desire to be trash “I Can’t Let You Throw Yourself Away” is super cute and entertaining.
Woody tells Forky he's a toy not trashCourtesy of Disney•Pixar
Be sure to stay in your seat during the first half of the credits at the end to see more of the story involving Woody, Bo Peep and efforts to match kids with toys and how Jessie and the gang help Bonnie at school.
Buzz to the rescue!Courtesy of Disney•Pixar
No matter what age you are, this film makes you want to rush home and dig out some once fave toys you have neglected and play with or at least hug them! Despite a few sluggish moments in the semi-long story, we were completely entertained and warmed and fuzzied. We award a full five stars.
Toy Story 4 Movie Rating: 
Courtesy of Disney•Pixar
See Toy Story 4 in theaters Friday, June 21st
Express Your Free-Spirited Self!
Hey, are you a Toy Story fan from when you were younger? Are you looking forward to this new film? Which Toy story toy is your favorite? Tell everyone about your fave toy at home. Why do you like it so much? Comment below and/or on your Kidzworld profile page!
