I know you are probably asking yourself where could Toy Story go following the natural conclusion of the third film? The answer is once again in new and exciting places with a story that fits into this franchise with ease.

Toy Story 4, directed by Pixar vet Josh Cooley from a script by Andrew Stanton and Stephany Folsom, does nearly the impossible and brings a new installment that provides the emotional rewarding joyfulness that the three previous films succeeded in achieving. We find all our favorite characters returning once again with Woody, Buzz & the gang as they now live with Bonnie after Andy gave them away at the end of the third film. This time around though our favorites are joined by some new characters who all steal the film, from Canada’s greatest stuntman Duke Caboom, voiced by Toronto-born Keanu Reeves. We also have the tough-talking plush toys Ducky & bunny voiced by comedian vets Key & Peele, Gabby Gabby voiced by Christina Hendricks as an unloved doll with a hidden agenda and of course our new main toy Forky voiced by Tony Hale.

This visually stunning animation film is a story that tugs at the heartstrings and lets us know that the minds behind these characters still had a story to tell.

This plot for Toy Story 4 reads “Woody has always been confident about his place in the world, and that his priority is taking care of his, whether that’s Andy or Bonnie. So when Bonnie’s beloved new craft project turned toy, Forky, declares himself as “trash” and not a toy, Woody takes it upon himself to show Forky why he should emrbace being a toy. But when Bonnie takes the whole gang on her family’s road trip, Woody ends up on an unexpected detour that includes a reunion with his long lost friend Bo Peep. After years of being on her own, Bo’s adventurous spirit and life on the road belie her delicate porcelain exterior. As Woody and Bo realize they’re worlds apart when it comes to life as a toy, they soon come to find that’s the lease of their worries.”

Toy Story 4 will remind you of the joys of the first film. While it doesn’t put you through the wringer like Toy Story 3 did on all of our emotions but this delightful film will still pull at your heartstrings, it’s consistently funny, witty and inventive. In many ways this film is better than it should be but can’t we say the same about the second and third film? This is another emotionally rewarding entry in the Toy Story franchise that delivers on what we have come to expect from Toy Story & Pixar.

5 out of 5 and a Must See!