In The Joyous ‘Toy Story 4,' The Toys Evolve Too

It’s futile to ask “why more” in the movie business, but it’s hard not to go in a little suspicious of a fourth “Toy Story.” The trilogy was so perfect.

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What more could we ask of Woody and Buzz? What more did we as an audience need? If we got another, would it live up to the unbridled joy and emotional satisfaction of the first three? And if it was bad, would it tarnish the others?

Sure it might sound a little dramatic to get this emotionally invested in the legacy of an animated series about anthropomorphic toys, but Pixar and Disney did this to themselves by creating something so precious and lasting. But I’m delighted to report that the fears were unwarranted. ”Toy Story 4 ” is a blast and it’s great to be back with the gang.

It took a herculean effort behind the scenes to get here too, nine years after “Toy Story 3” left many of us sobbing in our seats. Ousted Pixar head John Lasseter, who directed the first two, was supposed to direct and the screenplay switched hands three years into development (which helps explain why eight writers get “story by” credits). Eventually the project was handed over to animator, sometimes voice actor and first time feature director Josh Cooley to bring it home.