Desperately shy and mostly happy playing alone, Bonnie owns her first piece of tech in the form of the all knowing, Lilypad. But will the online world give her the joy she had with her real world toys?
Over the last 3 decades, Toy Story has woven its colourful thread into our hearts so far covering two generations of adoring fans. With the series currently taking over $3billion, through the cinematic box office alone, this newest iteration is not only visually more attractive through increased smooth and more powerful graphics, but also as a story that has grown over the years and adapted with the changes Andy and now Bonnie are going through in amongst their developing and impressionable young ages.
Over the years Buzz (Tim Allen), who was infamously going to be voiced by Billy Crystal then turned the role down, and Woody (Tom Hanks) have both been centre of attention and adoration with their comedically opposing opinions forming the backbone of each differing story, from their introduction in the groundbreaking Toy Story in 1995, through to their emotional end in Toy Story 3 in 2010. Now however we are in a new world and under new writing and direction in the form of Andrew Stanton – who incidentally voiced Emperor Zurg – as he thrusts us into the 21st century where ever developing technology that is seen not only as our foe but also our friend. His previous writer/director roles included the also adored Finding Nemo, and the thought provoking WALL-E, which have also become revered by the masses over the years from the mostly stable Disney Pixar stables.
Our new story is based around Bonnie, originally voiced by Madeleine (The Black Phone) McGraw, in Toy Story 3 and 4, she has now passed her acting reins over to Scarlett Spears seamlessly dropping into her new position that will likely and hopefully involve a Toy Story 6 further down the line. Scarlett’s previous mega role was starring as young Galinda in Wicked: For Good in the rainbow birthday scene. Once again matching her character’s age in voice, Bonnie, an eight year old – at the time of recording – a child is mostly happy with her life and her imagination yet feels left out with children her own age across the street.
Bring in our 21st century children’s technology in the form of ‘Lilypad’ voiced brilliantly by Greta Lee, as she vocally conveys not only the wisdom of an all knowing internet connected device, but also of a technology that quickly learns from her new surroundings. Originally written for Anna Faris (Scary Movie) the choice was later changed late last year and the new casting I feel works extremely well leaning further into the intellectual with also a certain vulnerability required to portray a more rounded character.
Toy Story has created – like many other highly praised and loved films – its own gravitational pull drawing in the likes of Keanu Reeves as Duke Caboom who began his time with Toy Story 4, and is used here although all too briefly. However we do have a trio of new to the franchise names with Conan O’Brien as Smarty Pants, a ‘personal hygiene’ educational device; discovered as an abandoned toy by Jessie, low on battery and very low on self esteem; until he is reinvigorated with some new ‘old school’ alkalines. Making his connected device complete we have an excitable toy camera called Snappy, voiced by Shelby Rabara and Atlas the hippo voiced by Craig Robinson, who like the other amazing voice actors bring a larger than ‘toy life’ zaniness to proceedings.
With the ever expanding excellent voice cast we cannot ignore our centre of attention in the form of cowgirl Jessica ‘Jessie’ Jane Pride voiced charmingly once again by none other than Joan Cusack (School of Rock). Where Woody’s character is reserved in making rapid decisions, Jessie jumps first and asks questions later bringing us more jeopardy and action alongside her intrepid and loyal horse Bullseye. With our current offering, the makers at Pixar did not want to create just another story around Woody and Buzz, they were looking this time for a heroine to lead the way. To stand up in its own right with technology progression Pixar writers and animators wanted to once again push the boundaries and in doing so brought in a new character called Blaze. A young girl with tight black curls demanding once again a newer and faster animation pushing the boundaries of realism still in a hand drawn style within a designed computer world.
Toy Story 5 alongside its predecessors takes us on a journey that has humour and action; yet also delivers once again a large toy chest full of emotions. Bonnie seems happy yet lost at first and her interactions with fellow friends gives her a larger world perspective, yet it is with her beloved original toys and new found like minded friend that gives her her true happiness away from tech’.
Where the Toy Story universe has succeeded over the years is to deliver a contained film that has its arc of fulfilment but also its need to be told. Of course, everyone has their own favourite, requiring us to judge the new offering with love or possibly not only to still be revered years later. What we should do here is to be absorbed into a film that has taken four years to put together, which includes in the film’s end credits; a nod to the newly born babies over that period of time within the dedicated work force based at 1200 Park Ave, Emeryville, California.
Not only do we now have the technology to be able to faithfully and accurately create many Buzz Lightyears but also an ‘old school’ feel with a delightful pastel style animation as we view Bonnie’s world through her young eyes.
Recording each actor’s voice individually yet still being able to form a film that works so well is a credit once again to those writers and editors at Pixar. Go in once again with an open mind and leave with a full heart as Taylor Swift delivers another charm offensive with her new song written for the film; “I Knew It, I Knew You”.
“They’re not falling, they’re flying with style!”
Author: Piers, Maidstone Store
