Toy Story 5 Can’t Possibly Top The Previous Movies
Last February, Bob Iger announced that Toy Story 5 would be going into production, as part of an effort to bring the flagship franchise back to its roots. I, like everyone else on Earth, received this news with crippling existential dread. I don’t mean to be a downer, but there is simply no possible way to recapture the magic of the original Toy Story trilogy, as the franchise has made an annual tradition out of toying with the public’s emotions.
The First Two
If you’re over the age of 5 years old, you likely have a distinct memory of seeing the first Toy Story film, loving it, and requiring no additional closure for the emotional story. Despite this, Pixar managed to shock the world by following up their critically acclaimed venture with a thrilling and satisfying sequel four years later. The likelihood of replicating this success with Toy Story 5 is about as likely as Star Wars putting the Midi-chlorian toothpaste back into the tube.
Toy Story 3
Toy Story 3 was wildly unnecessary, and had fans far and wide anticipating a lackluster legacy sequel desperately clawing at relevance. Shockingly, the filmmakers behind the 2010 release managed to offer yet another conclusive ending to the franchise, with an emotional closing scene that perfectly ends the entire Toy Story IP, leaving absolutely, positively no need whatsoever for additional entries into the series. Obviously, Disney didn’t get the memo regarding the public’s attachment to the tear-jerking finality of the third film, prompting the studio to green light Toy Story 4 and 5 respectively.
Toy Story 4
The fourth film managed to move away from the original characters and story of the trilogy, in a bid to differentiate itself from the IP that really required no additional adventures. While the film had its moments, most fans tend to agree that Pixar could have just as easily made an original film with these story beats and ideas at play, or at least given Forky his own spinoff title, completely emancipated from the adventures of Buzz and Woody. I have no clue what the team at Disney have in store for Toy Story 5, but I can firmly say that I’m over it, as I have no more tears left to shed for the misadventures of the plastic playthings.
One Finale After Another
Each time Buzz, Woody, and the rest of the gang are trotted out to engage in a deeply emotional climax, it cheapens the emotional resonance of the previous installments. Why did I feel so strongly about the finality of Toy Story 3 in the first place, when installments 4, 5, and beyond were secretly just around the corner? Imagine concluding an emotional binge watch of the MCU through Endgame, only for Tony Stark to pop back up in Avengers 5 sipping a soda like nothing ever happened.
It’s Time For Toy Story To End
Finales need to mean something, and every adventure must eventually have a clearly stated end. While it is technically possible for Toy Story 5 to impress audiences, it inspires very little hope in me to keep showing up at the theater to get invested. Given Bob Iger’s decision to limit additional ventures within the Marvel and Star Wars franchises, it’s surprising that he fails to understand this concept.
