I went into Toy Story 4 expecting an unnecessary add-on after the perfect closure of Toy Story 3, but it turned out far better than I feared. It’s not on the same emotional or narrative level as the original trilogy, yet it finds a sincere new angle: Woody’s journey of identity.
Forky is hilarious, Bo Peep’s reinvention is refreshing, and Duke Caboom (Keanu Reeves) steals every scene. The comedy lands, the pacing is brisk, and the emotions – while lighter – still hit when they need to.
What it lacks is the thematic heft of the first three; this is more of an epilogue than a chapter. But as epilogues go, it’s charming, funny, and beautifully animated.
Verdict: A solid 7/10 – not essential, but surprisingly heartfelt and worth the ride.
