END OF PLAY?

The Toy Story gang face tough fight to win their child's attention back from a new hi-tech rival in this timely tale

- DAMON SMITH

THE age of toys is over.

THE age of toys is over. That dire proclamation, issued by discarded playthings whose human children have become zombified slaves to digital tablets, rallies Jessie (voiced by Joan Cusack), Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) and Woody (Tom Hanks) back into action in a heartfelt fifth chapter of the franchise that launched Pixar in 1995.

Released the same week that UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced new proposals for a social media ban for under-16s, Toy Story 5 contemplates the impact of electronic devices and online chat rooms on the mental wellbeing of young children through the lens of a rootin’ tootin’ adventure that teaches new tech old tricks about teamwork.