Toy Story 5 Review: Pixar’s Beloved Franchise Still Has Plenty of Heart
- Lance
- 3 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Toy Story 5 releases in theaters this Friday, but I had the opportunity to see it last week, and I'm here to tell you with 100% certainty: this movie is amazing.
From start to finish, Toy Story 5 delivers a story packed with heart, humor, and one of the most relevant messages Pixar has tackled in this franchise. The film explores how much childhood has changed over the years and how technology has slowly replaced some of the things kids used to love, including toys.
All of your favorites are back. Woody, Buzz, Jessie, Rex, and the gang return, and yes, we get plenty of Buzz Lightyear in this movie, complete with some new technological twists that lead to some genuinely funny moments.
What I loved most is that Jessie serves as the emotional center of the story. As the film unfolds, she begins to grapple with the changing role toys play in children's lives. It's a storyline that feels incredibly timely without ever losing the warmth and charm that has defined the franchise for nearly three decades.
Pixar uses that premise to explore bigger themes about friendship, connection, and what it means to feel seen in an increasingly digital world. The movie never comes across as anti-technology, but it does ask important questions about how people connect with one another and the value of genuine relationships.
There's one sequence involving a group of forgotten toys that had me laughing harder than I expected. It almost felt like something out of a family-friendly horror movie in the best possible way. Pixar knew exactly what it was doing there. The film's greatest strength is its message. At its core, Toy Story 5 is about perseverance, empathy, and the importance of holding on to meaningful connections. It's a reminder that even as the world changes, some things never go out of style.
The animation is gorgeous, which is pretty much expected from Pixar at this point, and the voice cast is fantastic across the board. But for me, the story and emotional core are what make this movie special. Jessie carries much of the film's emotional weight, and her journey gives the story a surprising amount of depth.
If I have one complaint, it's that some of the original toys feel a little underutilized. There were moments where I wanted more Rex, more Hamm, and more of the classic crew. Still, the movie makes up for it with some fantastic scenes between Woody and Buzz.
Tom Hanks and Tim Allen continue to prove why they're one of animation's greatest duos. Every time those two characters share the screen, it just feels right.
Overall, Toy Story 5 is funny, emotional, heartfelt, and surprisingly timely. It's a movie that both kids and adults can take something away from, and by the time the credits rolled, I had a huge smile on my face. Do yourself a favor and go see this movie this weekend. I genuinely think you're going to have a great time.