The Toys Confront Technology in "Toy Story 5"

At the risk of sounding like an old man, it is crazy to think of how much the world has changed since the first “Toy Story” movie was released in 1994. Back then, the world was amazed that an animated movie - one without the use of artists behind desks physically drawing images - could be made at all. Now? We have computers in our pockets, making crude animated shorts with AI and apps that you download on the App Store.  While my nephews still love playing with toys, I see how they look when they get a chance to play with their dad’s iPad, and how he constantly has to remind them that there is a strict 15-minute time limit.

When I was a kid, my dad would treat me and my brother to an action figure from KB Toys once in a while when we would go to Sunrise Mall; these days many kids ask their parents for $10 in currency for “Disney Dreamlight Valley.” While the merits of whether this is positive evolution or a decaying society are questions better left to sociologists, “Toy Story 5” seems like the most logical place to explore the human emotions of what happens when we trade human interaction for screen time.  The story: Bonnie loves playing with her toys, but she is finding it difficult to make friends because almost all of the kids she knows have given up plastic play things in favor of tapping on brightly illuminated screens. Jessie (Joan Cusack) is finding herself at a loss, fearing that abandonment is right around the corner.

She reaches out to Woody (Tom Hanks), who, having given up his days of being a child’s plaything, is noticing more and more toys being abandoned once technology enters the picture, and is unsure if there is even a future for them as the primary source of a child’s love. Even Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) seems to be questioning if it is time to propose to a certain cowgirl (don’t ask how that works; that is above my pay grade).  When Bonnie’s parents get her a Lilypad (Greta Lee) though, all bets are off, as the tablet uses the connection of social media to bring Bonnie out into (what she perceives to be) the real world, while also introducing the young girl to peer pressure, online bullying, and the addictive nature of social media.

While the online discourse has been what the point of getting a “Toy Story 5” even was (and if Pixar has ruined their perfect ending to the series…twice), having seen the movie I have a very different opinion: this may be the most relevant ‘Toy Story’ movie since “Toy Story 2.” That film dealt with the very reality that kids grow up, and the question of what happens to the toys when they do becomes a legitimate question. In some ways, it's surprising it took Pixar this long to tackle the subject of toys being replaced with technology. However, they picked the perfect person to approach the subject.  The film was written and directed by Academy Award-winner Andrew Stanton, who previously wrote and directed “Wall-E.”

That film took a strong look at over-consumerism and how the human species was heading down a dangerous path by losing that human connection by being too ‘plugged in’ to tech. In some ways, “Toy Story 5” is a spiritual sequel, as it handles many of the same issues but on a kids level (while shooting some darts at the parents as well). The movie even tackles the fact that technology - for all the threats it poses to toys - is more vulnerable to be replaced by newer, better technology. A toy cowgirl can be passed down through generations, but an electronic device that teaches a kid how to go to the bathroom? That has a shelf life. Social commentary aside, “Toy Story 5” is another wonderful installment in this franchise.

While maybe verging on being a little long in the tooth in some aspects (Woody’s inclusion seems mostly unnecessary as Jessie takes on the role as main protagonist), the characters are still charming and as long as there are toys in the world the folks at Pixar will likely always want to jump in their toybox and play. Andrew Stanton has already hinted more ‘Toy Story’ movies are on their way. If they remain as funny and relevant as this one, maybe we should stop clinging to the idea of the ‘perfect ending’ and start embracing the exciting journeys we’re about to go on. Likely with technology involved, because as Stanton understands, these gadgets aren’t going anywhere, and we need to figure out what kind of relationship we want to have with them that is not socially destructive.

P.S. This is the first ‘Toy Story’ film in the franchise to receive a PG rating. If this doesn’t show that the MPA has completely lost their minds, I don’t know what does.