I’m Trevor with the Sasquatch Movie Minute with a RETRO look at TOY STORY 4, a 2019 film, directed by Josh Cooley, starring Tom Hanks. Woody and crew join Bonnie on a road trip to save her newly-crafted toy, Forky.

4.5 out of 5

There is a lot of argument that the TOY STORY series should have ended with #3, and while the 3rd is my personal top movie in the series, we would have missed this essential entry. The first three are about what we do for ourselves and the survival of our people. #4 is about when we are old and secure enough that our survival is assured, what do we do with the time we have left. From one of the most complex villains of the series, Gabby Gabby, to the best new characters ever, like Bunny/Ducky, Forky, and freakin’ Duke Caboom, the pride of Canada. I’ll only ding this one slightly for Buzz’s forced story about his inner voice. I would give anything for Buzz’s last line to Woody to have been ‘She’ll be okay,’ instead of overexplaining his intent.

Best Scene. I lose it at the bit when Gabby Gabby helps that lost girl at the carnival. It sets off a primal instinct in a parent. But also, the fantasy sequences of Bunny/Ducky’s key stealing suggestions are brilliant, patient, and hysterical.

Best Performance. Damn, a loose Keanu Reeves is next to perfect as Duke Caboom. He is funny and silly, but also knowingly tragic and over-the-top. I read somewhere that it was his idea that his character should constantly be posing.

We didn’t need TOY STORY 4, until the moment we realized that the series wouldn’t have been complete without it. What a beautiful chapter in one of the 2 best movies series ever.