As for Buzz, he is supportive of the mission at hand and instrumental in ensuring that Jessie succeeds in her pursuit to save everyone, as he sees how affected she has become by the inhabitants of a device. The overall need to support Jessie causes a playful yet nostalgic skirmish between Woody and Buzz, which works really well, as it has been a while since they have been at each other’s necks. Even the additions of the Buzz Lightyear army were effectively utilized in comparison to what was originally planned (they were originally supposed to be the film’s antagonist).

The new supporting cast, while not as big as the previous film, still makes their mark in this film as essential key players. Conan O’Brien’s portrayal of Smarty Pants, a potty-training device, was hugely entertaining and woven into the plot. His banter with Jessie was tied to her disdain for technology in general, and even more to her belligerent behavior. Greta Lee’s portrayal of the protagonist, Lilly Pad, was top-notch, as the role was not about being a villain but about showing how a system can do more harm than good. Lee’s voice acting fits well for voicing a technological device and embodies the objective tone most devices offer when assisting others. Overall, Lee understood the plot, not just playing into the role as a protagonist but as someone who cared for Bonnie in their own systematic way, programmed to indulge in an anti-contact epidemic that has taken place. The overall tone set by Lilly Pad makes her stand out as a Toy Story protagonist because it’s more experiential than driven by a narrative or a specific motive, which isn’t always an angle highlighted in Pixar films. 

Technological Advances

The span of the Toy Story franchise’s 30-year run has been an interesting evolution. The animation style showcased in all the films has a unique sense of style that has only progressed. The history of the first film, as the first animated film of its caliber, has continued to prove that there is room for growth in animation and that the scenes can be innovated, not just through a practical lens. The franchise has always been aware of the setting it wants to show and how to make a world around that moment and make it meaningful. This time, with a return to Jessie’s origins, the setting was warm and nostalgic. This worked well because the audience understood Jessie’s past from previous films. The cinematography just confirmed what was told about Jessie’s story that hadn’t been seen. The nuances that weren’t explored before offered a motion-paced picture that was worthy of the film’s narrative due to the personal aspects that it takes on, and it worked out well overall, leaving many moments of catharsis. 

Randy Newman’s score remains a key factor in Toy Story’s success. The innovation of his score continues to help tell a wildly compelling story. Thanks to Newman’s score, there is so much ground left to cover for this franchise as the story continues to expand. The sentimentality of the score this time around works to pull the audience in, with a franchise that has gone beyond its prime, which is hard to do, but Newman knows how to reel the audience in with his spectacle-heavy sensibilities from the beginning. It’s packed with nostalgia and helps remind the audience that Pixar has not lost its touch when it comes to telling stories that move them to tears. Toy Story 5 feels like a Pixar reclamation of meaningful storytelling, not just about making a moment, but about crafting a timeless classic that remains timely. Overall, this film’s tone was meant to cater to the older fans who grew up with this franchise, and the payoff was well-intentioned and worth the expansion.

A Grand Closing

With the franchise spanning over 30 years, Toy Story 5 still sets a high bar in juxtaposition to its predecessors. The story was timely and relevant to the times the audience is living in, even more so for those who grew up with the previous films. Jessie’s story was worth exploring and long overdue, and it was more successful because it really hit home where it mattered most. Overall, the success and classic storytelling that the franchise has held on to all these years serve as an inner-child moment that works for audiences of all ages, and that’s where the entertainment stands out. 

Watch Toy Story 5 in theaters now!