In order for the fourth film in a series to feel different than its predecessors, sometimes a change in storytelling is needed. In the case of Toy Story 4, this was true by changing the focus of the story to center on one character. Whereas the previous films largely focused on the ensemble of Andy’s toys — Woody, Buzz, Jessie, Bullseye, Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head, Slinky, Rex and Hamm — Toy Story 4 largely focused on Woody this time around.
That’s not to say that the other toys don’t have a role in the story. However, for the most part, the cast of toys is reduced to a supporting role, with the exception of Buzz, who does help Woody through most of his journey in the film.
The film opens with a prologue from Andy’s childhood days. Viewers finally learn what happened to Bo Peep (Annie Potts), who was absent from the third film. Bo was donated to a friend of Andy’s mom, who needed a new lamp, which Molly had outgrown.
Fast forward nine years later and Woody and the gang are still with Bonnie, as they were at the end of Toy Story 3 and the subsequent TV shorts that aired on ABC in the intervening years between films. Woody feels as though he has no purpose, since Bonnie has not picked him to play with during her playtime.
However, that doesn’t stop Woody from caring about Bonnie. When she has to go to kindergarten orientation and is scared, Woody sneaks into Bonnie’s backpack to make sure she has a good day. While Bonnie sits alone at a table, Woody manages to scrap some items from the trash and place them onto Bonnie’s table without Bonnie noticing. Bonnie uses the materials Woody found to create Forky, a sport with googly eyes and red arms made of pipe cleaner.
To Woody’s surprise, Forky (Tony Hale) comes to life just like the other toys. And similar to Buzz in the first film, Forky is convinced he is not a toy, but is trash. Woody makes it his mission to prevent Forky from tossing himself into the trash, convinced that Forky is needed to get Bonnie through kindergarten.
The toys join Bonnie’s family on vacation, where Forky continuously tries to throw himself away, much to Woody’s despair. Eventually, Forky jumps out the back of the RV and Woody goes after him, promising to meet the gang at the next RV stop. Once reunited with Forky, Woody opens up about his past life with Andy and his current status with Bonnie, and how he feels useless because Bonnie doesn’t play with him like the other toys.
Soon, Woody and Forky reach the RV spot, which is near a carnival, and stumble upon an antique store, where Woody spots Bo’s lamp. The two meet Gabby Gabby (Christina Hendricks), an antique doll who wants to be loved, but her voice box is broken. She quickly discovers Woody has a voice box and wants to do everything she can to obtain it.
Woody eventually reunites with Bo after escaping the shop. Bo has since become a “lost toy,” on the streets and on her own with her sheep. She helps toys reunite with children, and helps other lost toys find kids who will take them home.
From there, the story continues as Woody tries to return to Bonnie with Forky. Buzz helps him along the way, while the rest of the gang tries to prevent Bonnie’s family from leaving the park.
Also introduced are the duo Ducky (Keegan-Michael Key) and Bunny (Jordan Peele), who were prize toys at the carnival, who are the film’s comedic relief. Ducky and Bunny are the Toy Story version of Fred and George Weasley, full of mischief and constantly making the audience laugh.
Another addition is the Canadian toy Duke Caboom (Keanu Reeves), who spends most of his scenes posing to show off his “bod,” but he does play a heroic role in the film. Rounding out the cast of new toys is Giggle McDimples (Ally Maki), a small action figure dressed in a police officer’s uniform.
The climax of the film is a roller coaster of emotions. Though Gabby Gabby is a villain, Woody and the others still try to help her, despite the sacrifice it causes Woody to make. And in the film’s closing moments, it’s hard to imagine a dry pair of eyes in the audience as Woody is faced with a difficult decision. Appropriately enough, the film’s final lines are Buzz and Woody saying the ultimate catchphrase of the series: “To infinity and beyond.”
Toy Story 4 features performances by Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Wallace Shawn, John Ratzenberger, Estelle Harris, Kristen Schaal and Laurie Metcalf. The late Don Rickles also lends his voice to Mr. Potato Head for the final time through the use of archival sound from previous films, video games and amusement park rides. The film is rated G for general audiences.
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