Movie Review - Toy Story 5

Director: McKenna Harris, Andrew Stanton
Genre: Animation/ Family/ Drama
Runtime: 102 minutes
Year: 2026
Starring: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Conan O’Brien, Greta Lee, Bonnie Hunt, Wallace Shawn, Kristen Schaal, Ernie Hudson, John Ratzenberger
 
Description: Woody (Tom Hanks), Buzz (Tim Allen), Jessie (Joan Cusack) and the rest of the gang’s jobs are challenged when they’re introduced to electronics, a new threat to playtime.
 
Review: When Pixar announced that a fifth “Toy Story” film was in the works, the film world reacted with a healthy dose of skepticism. After the emotional and perfect farewell in the third installment, and the surprisingly strong epilogue in the fourth, it really seemed like the series had run its course. With “Toy Story 5”, however, directors Andrew Stanton and McKenna Harris prove the opposite. The film manages to tackle relevant, modern themes without losing the nostalgic spirit of the franchise.

In “Toy Story 5”, Bonnie struggles with a universal modern problem: the allure of the digital screen. Woody, Buzz, and the rest of the gang are pushed into the background by tablets, smartphones, and high-tech VR headsets. When Bonnie’s favorite new gadget becomes infected with a malicious computer virus, her digital world is in danger of crashing. To save their child’s memories and happiness, the toys must literally travel into the digital world. There, they face an army of forgotten tech-toys and a glitchy, manipulative AI villain.

The greatest compliment “Toy Story 5” deserves is how cleverly it handles the concept of toys in today’s world. While the earlier films revolved around growing up and letting go, this installment tackles the struggle between tangible nostalgia and the all-powerful screen time. The transition to the digital world within the film brings a fresh dynamic. Pixar uses this scenario to showcase breathtaking animation techniques. The contrast between the warm, tactile textures of the classic toys and the neon-lit, sometimes eerily perfect digital environment are visually masterful.

As always, the humor is multi-layered. There are quick, physical jokes for younger viewers and sharp, satirical jabs at tech culture for adults. The introduction of outdated video game consoles and crashed software avatars, provides some hilarious moments. I especially loved Smarty Pants, voiced by Conan O’Brien. The reunion between Woody and Buzz remains the emotional anchor of the film.

“Toy Story 5” isn’t just another cash-grab, but a loving and much-needed reflection of what play means today.

Rating: 4/ 5