Monday, June 24, 2019

Toy Story 4: You've Got a Friend in Yourself


Yesterday was my last day of being 23 years old. Something felt incredibly appropriate about going to see the latest and potentially final installment of one of the most entertaining and impactful film franchises of my entire childhood and likely my life. I knew Toy Story 4 (2019) had gone through the ringer pre-production wise with the constant script, directing and casting changes plaguing the film throughout its development phase. I was still nonetheless eager to see what was in store for these characters that I had believed I had already said goodbye to almost ten years ago.

One of the first things I knew about this film was that it would reintroduce Bo-Peep, a character that was extremely poorly utilized in the franchise prior. Bo-Peep was the embodiment of the damsel in distress trope. She had little to no autonomy and was all look and no substance. Well in this new age of feminist cinema it is no wonder why Pixar, who continues to work towards having more progressive and inclusive depictions of the world we are living in, would choose to give her character a serious reinvention upon her reintroduction. This film isn't about Bo's character arc; however, not really. By the time we meet her, she has already gone through her self-transformation. She is enlightened and tough, while still having the caring and affectionate nature that made Woody and us fell in love with her all those years ago.

Toy Story 4 is very much Woody's film, even more so than the second entry in the franchise in which he learned about his past. Plot-wise, this actually works to Buzz's disadvantage as his subplot about listening to his inner consciousness comes off as more of an afterthought than a fully emotionally effective character arc. Jessie similarly has little to do in this fourth chapter, and the worst thing about that is we don't get a team-up between her and Bo-Peep that no doubt would've been on par with some of the great action sequences Buzz and Woody got to partake in during Toy Story (1995). This film is a character study, one that consistently does not have to be as deep or profound as it is. It may not feel as memorable in terms of witty dialogue that derives endless laughter from both adults and children alike (although there is still plenty of that to be had here) and its plot occasionally underserves many franchise favorites, but this film presents a serious dilemma that can impact a person of nearly any age. At what point in life do we tell ourselves that it is time to stop always taking care of "them" and start taking care of "us?" Toy Story 3 (2010) was very much about letting go, but Toy Story 4 shows us how so many of us in life are so preoccupied with what others have, we don't realize what we are losing in the meantime. The scariest thing about this notion is that while Woody and the gang will likely live forever, we are not as fortunate. So the film tells us to go out and make a change today. Make a choice, and for once in life know that it is alright to choose yourself. Those that truly love you, those that you have cared for, will continue to love you to infinity and beyond.

Forky's plotline adds another psychological layer to the film as a whole, presenting us with a humorously relatable existential crisis about discovering one's identity in an ever-changing world. It is also through him that Woody comes to make such courageous decisions about where his life should go from here. For many people, they never get to the place, mentally that Woody is able to tap into by the film's conclusion. They lack the support system and essential life skills that help a person realize when it is time to leave the past behind and take steps towards an even brighter, and yes a little frightening, future. In many ways, Woody's story in this film can be seen as advocating for all those suffering in life, be it from poor mental health or other everyday hardships such as addiction or grief. We recognize that if Woody can take the difficult first steps that are necessary towards self-improvement than we all certainly can. It is never easy, and Toy Story 4 never feels like it argues that change has to be, and that is one of the greatest life lessons it invokes throughout. It is acceptable to hurt, to lose and to not feel good enough, but only for a certain amount of time. At some point, we have to stop seeing ourselves as "trash" and start seeing what others find so enriching. We have to find our inner "Friend" to trust in alongside all the physical ones that surround us every day.



While Toy Story 4 will be hailed for its lively voiceover performances, immensely impressive animation and an overall atmosphere that celebrates all things that made the original franchise so great, it should really be lauded for its thematic statements about self-love. We spend our whole lives living for others without ever giving ourselves a chance to live for ourselves as well. Woody has always been a source of comfort for children, he certainly has been for me, but now more than ever I saw him as a true hero, someone to admire and aspire to because through his bravery I saw hope for my own.