Toy Story 4

Bo the Pig gets this summer's latest sequel.

Really? I thought Toy Story 3 was it. The last one. It ended so perfectly. I thought it was a silly joke when the Muppets mentioned it in Muppets Most Wanted. But we finally have Toy Story 4. And after all my misgivings ... it's actually pretty good. 

At least, I think that's what Jethro will say.

Yes.

Yay.

Woody (Tom Hanks) and Buzz (Tim Allen) and their plastic friends get plenty of playtime with their new owner, Bonnie. Or rather, everyone but Woody has. Bonnie prefers cowgirl Jessie (Joan Cusack) to be the sheriff of playtime. Woody still tags along with Bonnie to her kindergarten orientation day. He gives her the materials to make a friend - Forky the spork figure. Forky becomes her favorite toy.

Once Forky (Tony Hale) becomes sentient, he tries to trash himself. Every day, every minute. He finally makes a break for it when Bonnie and the folks go on a road trip. Woody pursues him, and they come to a small town antique store. An old doll named Gabby Gabby (Christina Hendricks) wants Woody for his voicebox to replace her broken one. They make a run for it but only Woody gets out.

Bo Peep (Annie Potts), who we saw given away at the start, comes to Woody's aid. A new bunch of toys, including Canada stuntdoll Duke Caboom (Keanu Reeves) and Ducky and Bunny (Key and Peele), tag along. But they better hurry, for Bonnie has noticed Forky's absence.

Jethro, go.

The film marks the directorial debut of Josh Cooley, who collaborated on Inside Out's screenplay. He and his seven co-writers find ways to top Toy Story 3's "concise ending." The existential crises the toys face are dramedic. Woody's feelings of obsolescence is relatable. Forky's runs for trash cans are subtly sad, but his over-persistence borders on hilarious. Bo, at least, has a purpose in life. And while Gabby Gabby starts off as a little creepy, she turns out to be sympathetic. The film's climax is about as emotional as Coco's, though we have the veteran toys messing with Bonnie's dad's RV.

The film's 100 minutes start off with a strong prologue. In it, Woody and the other toys team up to save RC the Car from going down a storm drain, while a man comes for Bo Peep. Editor Axel Geddes keeps us on edge for those first few minutes and beyond! The film's running gags, including Forky's trash runs and Ducky and Bunny's imagine spots, grab our attention. The climax, as previously mentioned, is an emotional rollercoaster.

And of course, we have a great soundtrack by Randy Newman. It's highlighted by a catchy, yet poignant song called I Can't Let You Throw Yourself Away. Another song, The Ballad of the Lonesome Cowboy, is the highlight of the ending credits. Speaking of the end credits, stay for the first half to see a nice epilogue.

Toy Story 4 is a welcome sequel which we never know we wanted. But for the sake of brevity, let's hope that this is the final, final Toy Story. We don't need a Toy Story where the toys really do get thrown into an incinerator. This Toy Story, meanwhile, is a strong human parable in toy form. Humans of all ages can relate to these plastic characters and their emotional struggles. See it now.