Toy Story 4 Movie Review

Last week my daughter and I were so honored to be invited to a special sneak peek media screening for Disney and Pixar’s Toy Story 4 at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood! We have been anxiously waiting to see this newest installment of the Toy Story franchise for months and we couldn’t wait to make a Disney Daughter Date out of the experience. We even dressed up for the occasion!

For the first time I tried a Disneybound. I knew Bo Peep was given a fresh new look in Toy Story 4 and that’s what inspired me for the movie screening! And now that I’ve seen the movie and how independent, strong-willed, and empowered Bo Peep is in this film I was excited to represent such a strong female character!

I bought my Bo Peep Action Staff from Shop Disney, the jumper and bow from Amazon, pulled out some black flats from my closet, and wore the brand new Bo Peep cinch belt from Buckle-Down to pull the entire outfit together! They actually have an entire Toy Story 4 collection and this belt is my favorite! My daughter wore her new Toy Story 4 tee from Target, new Forky shoes from Shop Disney, and even brought her Forky toy with her, too!

When we arrived at the theatre we were able to take some photos and grab our complimentary popcorn and drink before finding our seats. One of my favorite parts of seeing media screenings and or movie premieres is how enthusiastic the crowd is before, during, and after the movie. When the lights go dark everyone claps and cheers and there is so much magical Disney energy! And at the end everyone stays until the end of the credits with enthusiasm (which I highly recommend you do when seeing this movie because there are some fun surprises up until the very end).

But let’s get to the movie itself. Toy Story 4 is made 9 years after Toy Story 3, but the movie takes place only a couple of years later where Bonnie is just a tiny bit older than she was in the last film. I liked this because it makes you feel like some time has passed but you are able to leave off right where you were 9 years ago. This movie is a sweet, energetic, heartfelt, action-packed, sincere, and fun film for the entire family. I can’t tell you how many times I laughed out loud throughout the movie. There are so many clever lines that evoked pure joy from me. Just like the previous films, the writing in this movie is clever and witty, yet wholesome and comforting. But I do have to say that I teared up at least once or twice as well – which pretty much happens for me when watching every Toy Story movie.

I have always loved the innovation of Toy Story and it’s honestly one of my favorite Disney movies of all time. So to say I am a little biased is somewhat true but if I can be honest, what is there not to love about Woody, Buzz, and all of their friends? I believe every child imagines their toys coming to life at some point during childhood, which is why this movie franchise is so magical and relatable. The main premise of it is appealing to everyone. Plus, many of the toys used in the film are ones adults grew up with when they were young, which makes it all the more nostalgic. Toy Story has always been a movie based on play, imagination, childhood, love, creativity, and a movie chalked full of emotion that pulls on your heart strings just a little in a very endearing way. And Toy Story 4 lives up to the same mold as the previous films but with a fresh, new storyline.

“Play is a child’s language and toys are their words” – Gary Landreth

One of my favorite parts of the film is the development and evolvement of the characters that we have come to love over the years. I have grown so attached to these characters since I was in high school back when the first Toy Story was released in 1995. At that time, Toy Story was the first fully computer-animated feature film – breaking records in its time. And now, 24 years later, the animation in this movie is at a whole new level! This movie franchise has been part of my life for decades and now I get to share it with my own children so they can grow up with the same love, passion, and memories of these endearing characters. Best of all, Woody’s loyalty to children is so admirable and it’s truly remarkable in this film how far he goes out of his way to try to make Bonnie happy just like he did for Andy.

And there are so many new characters in this film that are introduced like Forky, Duke Caboom, Gabby Gabby, Bunny, Ducky, Giggle McDimples, and more! Forky is the obvious favorite because he is the new “it” toy for Bonnie who thinks he is trash but soon learns he is the most important toy in her life!

“Alright, Forky. You have to understand how lucky you are right now. You’re Bonnie’s toy. You are going to help create happy memories that will last for the rest of her life.”—Woody, Toy Story 4

As a play therapist, I love that Disney and Pixar created a toy made from arts and crafts. It just goes to show you that random items that may look like trash may be someone’s imaginative treasure! The creativity to be innovative and make your own toy from your imagination is one of my favorite aspects this film offers. As a mom, I can’t tell you how many times my children have played with their store bought toys but also make a world for them to play in from things around the house that they make from boxes, craft items, and art. Anything can become a special toy and comfort item to a child, and this film brings that home.

In addition to play and loyalty, another main theme of this film is about transition. It comes up often in different ways and as a mom who is currently going through a lot of transition in her life right now, this movie hit me harder than if I saw the movie a few years ago or maybe if I saw it 10 years from now. My daughter, like Bonnie, is entering Kindergarten so this part of the film was extra bittersweet for me. That’s why I love these movies, they mean different things to everyone and you can see it decades later and have a different response to them.

I do have to say that there are maybe one or two scenes of the film that might be a little surprising or startling for little ones – not in a drawn out scary, suspense kind of way but in a funny, short, take you by surprise and jump at you kind of way – especially with the voiceless ventriloquist dummies – but don’t let it detour you from seeing the movie. As a therapist, trust me, your children will not have nightmares or be traumatized. This is a Disney movie after all and the movie is colorful, light, and fun. But my daughter jumped once or twice because it just takes you off guard for a second – but then she laughed and thought it was funny. I just didn’t want to say I didn’t warn you just in case! It’s all very funny and lighthearted!

I don’t want to give too much away, but overall I would RUN out to theaters this weekend to see the movie with your children! I was a little surprised how it ended and I may have been expecting or wanting something different, but it makes sense and all ties together. It’s a similar feeling I had at the end of Toy Story 3 in 2010 when Andy goes off to college and gives his toys to Bonnie. It’s emotional but it makes sense and its just the Toy Story way. Transition and change can be difficult for many of us – especially when it has to do with growing up or saying goodbye. Toy Story 4 is certainly one of those movies you never want to end. These characters are part of our lives and we are so invested in them it’s hard to let go and move on. I know I’ll be seeing this one again and again for years to come. So it’s really not goodbye, it’s more like I’ll see you again soon the next time I watch the movie!

Disney + Pixar’s Toy Story 4 comes out this Friday, June 21 and is highly recommended for people of all ages! You can click here to find tickets in your area. After you see it, let me know what you think!

You can also print out these coloring pages and printable on how to make your own Forky! In the photo below, the Forky on the far left is from Shop Disney, the one in the middle is from Target, and the one on the right was made from home with a plastic fork, play dough, popsicle sticks, marker, different sized eyes, and pipe cleaner!