Movies

Toy Story 4 Review

October 6, 2025 · superuser

Review Ratings

Art/Style:

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final_score: 8.4

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final_score: 8.4

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final_score: 8.4

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final_score: 8.4

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final_score: 8.4

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final_score: 8.4

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final_score: 8.4

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Production Value:

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final_score: 8.4

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final_score: 8.4

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final_score: 8.4

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final_score: 8.4

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final_score: 8.4

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final_score: 8.4

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final_score: 8.4

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final_score: 8.4

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final_score: 8.4

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final_score: 8.4

Content:

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final_score: 8.4

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final_score: 8.4

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final_score: 8.4

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final_score: 8.4

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final_score: 8.4

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final_score: 8.4

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final_score: 8.4

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final_score: 8.4

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final_score: 8.4

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final_score: 8.4

Personal Enjoyment:

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final_score: 8.4

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final_score: 8.4

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final_score: 8.4

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final_score: 8.4

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final_score: 8.4

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final_score: 8.4

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final_score: 8.4

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final_score: 8.4

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final_score: 8.4

Overall Popularity:

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final_score: 8.4

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final_score: 8.4

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final_score: 8.4

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final_score: 8.4

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final_score: 8.4

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final_score: 8.4

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final_score: 8.4

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final_score: 8.4

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final_score: 8.4

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final_score: 8.4

Final Review Score

8.4 / 10

Great

Directed by Josh Cooley in his feature directorial debut and co-written by Andrew Stanton and Stephany Folsom, Toy Story 4 (2019) faced immense pressure following the acclaimed trilogy conclusion of 2010. Yet, by pivoting from Andy’s toys as a collective to an intimate character study of Sheriff Woody, the film justified its existence with profound emotional resonance. Grossing over $1.07 billion worldwide and capturing the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, it expanded Pixar Animation Studios’ iconic universe into uncharted existential territory. In this detailed Toy Story 4 movie review, we explore how Tom Hanks, Annie Potts, Tony Hale, Keanu Reeves, photorealistic lens technology, and Randy Newman’s score delivered a beautiful farewell.

Forky’s Creation, Second Chance Antiques, and Bo Peep’s Reinvention

Now living with young Bonnie, Woody (voiced by Tom Hanks) struggles to find his purpose as he is routinely left in the closet during playtime. At kindergarten orientation, Woody secretly helps Bonnie craft a new companion out of a plastic spork, pipe cleaners, and googly eyes—naming him Forky (voiced by Tony Hale). Plagued by an existential identity crisis, Forky insists he is trash rather than a toy, repeatedly jumping out of Bonnie’s family RV during a road trip. While rescuing Forky, Woody detours through an antique shop in Grand Basin, where he encounters a talkative 1950s pull-string doll named Gabby Gabby (voiced by Christina Hendricks) and her ventriloquist dummy henchmen. There, Woody is unexpectedly reunited with his lost love, Bo Peep (voiced by Annie Potts), who has embraced a fiercely independent, action-ready life as a “lost toy” alongside her tiny sidekick Giggle McDimples (voiced by Ally Maki).

Outstanding Vocal Performances, New Dynamic Characters, and Moral Nuance

Tom Hanks delivers one of his most vulnerable performances as Woody, capturing the anguish of a devoted caretaker coming to terms with changing roles. Annie Potts shines in Bo Peep’s reinvention, bringing athletic strength, tactical savvy, and emotional clarity. Tony Hale provides continuous comedic brilliance as Forky, while standout new additions—including Keanu Reeves as the bravado-filled Canadian stuntman Duke Caboom, and Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele as carnival plushies Ducky and Bunny—inject hilarious energy. Crucially, the script offers surprising empathy for Gabby Gabby, transforming a sinister antagonist into a heartbreaking figure seeking love.

Photorealistic RenderMan Upgrades, Antique Shop Lighting, and Randy Newman’s Score

From a technical standpoint, Toy Story 4 represents an astounding visual leap for Pixar. Utilizing advanced RenderMan ray-tracing software, depth-of-field camera lenses, and procedural cobweb/dust modeling, the film renders antique store glassware, weathered porcelain skin, rain reflections, and carnival neon lights with unprecedented photorealism. Composer Randy Newman returned with a rich score featuring new tracks like “The Ballad of the Lonesome Cowboy” alongside nostalgic motifs that mirror Woody’s emotional transformation.

The Final Verdict

Ultimately, this Toy Story 4 review celebrates an extraordinary, gorgeous, and emotionally resonant chapter in Pixar’s crown jewel franchise. Driven by Josh Cooley’s sharp direction, unforgettable vocal performances from Tom Hanks and Annie Potts, groundbreaking visual craft, and a tear-jerking message about self-discovery beyond duty, it serves as a triumphant epilogue.

Information

Title: Toy Story 4
Release Date: June 21, 2019
Director: Josh Cooley
Key Cast: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Annie Potts, Tony Hale, Keegan-Michael Key, Jordan Peele, Madeleine McGraw, Christina Hendricks, Keanu Reeves, Ally Maki, Jay Hernandez
Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Family

This post is part of Pixar Movies Ranked

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