11 reasons to go see Toy Story 4

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I’m going to be the first to admit until this week, I hadn’t seen Toy Story 2 all the way through, or Toy Story 3 at all! I know, shocking, right? But when an invite came out to see Toy Story 4, I knew I had to catch up on the franchise. I’ll say this, if you haven’t seen them, I think it’s a good idea to catch up before watching Toy Story 4. Mandatary, no? But good for backstories? Absolutely! Plus, it will help you make sense of my 11 reasons to go see Toy Story 4. 

(Which has me gratuitously adding this picture of B with Big Baby! Yes, her doll was called Big Baby and we had no idea of the connection to Toy Story 3!)

“The ‘Toy Story’ films accomplish what timeless classics aim for,” says actor Tom Hanks, who has voiced Woody for 24 years. “They are full of innocent characters who face an endless trail of adventures. We all know the likes of Woody, Buzz, Bo Peep and Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head, and we wonder who we would be…if we were toys.” Pixar went all in with this one and I don’t think you will be disappointed. 

Without further ado, let’s just jump into the reasons to go see Toy Story 4!

1. All-star cast

Yes, Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Annie Potts and more are all back to lend their voices to our favorite toys Woody, Buzz Lightyear and Bo Peep. Honestly, it wouldn’t be the same without them and we’ve come to count on their rapport with each other. 

2. The gangs all here

You’ll get that satisfied feeling of knowing how everybody ends up after becoming Bonnie’s toys. 

3. All of the emotions

I’m not your typical movie crier. It takes a lot. Toy Story 4 will have you laughing yourself silly and hitting that sweet emotional spot that gets you all choked up during the less than 2 hour movie. 

4. Forky

We don’t know a lot about Forky going into the movie. But, we do know he’s actually a spork!  “As it turns out, he’s not really a toy at all. Underneath the googly eyes, pipe-cleaner arms and red waxy mouth, he’s a discarded spork. But Bonnie falls head over popsicle-feet for the little guy. When Woody and the gang join her and her family on the road, Forky’s innocence sends him—as well as Woody—on a wild adventure full of unexpected new characters—and his long-lost friend Bo Peep, whose extraordinary experiences and unique outlook on life as a toy challenge everything Woody believes.”

“Forky is like a newborn. He doesn’t know anything about life—he doesn’t even understand why he’s alive or what a toy even is. He makes Woody vocalize what it means to be a toy—what it means to be needed.” —Mark Nielsen

Check out how to make your own Forky!

5. Bo Peep

Whatever happened to Bo Peep and Billy, Goat and Gruff? You get to find out where she’s been the last few years and catch up on her experiences! And, just why is she wearing pants and a cape?

6. Girl Power

Without saying too much more, I’m loving that so many of the girl toys have very strong roles in Toy Story 4! They don’t need to be led and don’t need to always have to turn to Woody for the plan.

7. Inclusivity 

Check out the Kindergarten classroom. You’ll see a child with cochlear implants, and another with glasses. The classroom celebrated much diversity as well which reminded me of my own children’s classrooms at school.

8. Easter eggs

There are so many tie-ins to all of the other Pixar movies and shorts. My friend Meghan compiled all of the Toy Story 4 Easter Eggs we saw on the first screening of the movie. (FYI, they aren’t really actually Easter eggs, they are just fun things to look for that tie other Disney movies to this one.) Please do tell us if you find the Pixar ball!

9. More new friends

Toy Story 4 introduces us to many new characters! We get to meet Ducky and Bunny (you’ll laugh so much at these two), Gabby Gabby (there’s some empathy we can practice on her), Duke Caboom (“Yes we CANada!”) and Benson. Some of these characters I hope we get to see again in future installments (if there is one) and some I could do without seeing again. 

We also get to meet Bonnie’s dad and more of her mother and see their family dynamic. Yes, both of Bonnie’s parents are alive and present in the movie!!!

10. Resilience and Adaptability

These toys have all been through so much and it’s all because they love their child/children. See how they continue to show love and adaptability through all of their trials and setbacks (and adventures).

11. Stay for the credits

This isn’t a Marvel movie or anything like that, but you’ll definitely want to stay through the credits. Stay all the way to the end. I think you’ll find it very satisfying. 

Toy Story 4

Woody (voice of Tom Hanks) has always been confident about his place in the world, and that his priority is taking care of his kid, whether that’s Andy or Bonnie. So when Bonnie’s beloved new craft-project-turned-toy, Forky (voice of Tony Hale), declares himself as “trash” and not a toy, Woody takes it upon himself to show Forky why he should embrace being a toy. But when Bonnie takes the whole gang on her family’s road trip excursion, Woody ends up on an unexpected detour that includes a reunion with his long-lost friend Bo Peep (voice of Annie Potts). 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 least of their worries.

Parting Thoughts

This movie is funny, cute, emotional and lovely. The entire crowd was so bubbly after seeing the movie. There were quite a few proclamation that this might be the best Toy Story yet (and this was coming from people that saw the original when the original came out). I think the kids will love it, too! There are a couple parts with a set of characters that are creepy that had some people yelling out in the audience (adults included), but you’ll know pretty early on who it/they are. And, if you are like me, you’ll also want to look away from the screen.

Definitely go see it! Two thumbs up! Take the family! And if I left something out, tell me your reasons to go see Toy Story 4!

And if you haven’t yet, go watch Toy Story, Toy Story 2 and Toy Story 3!