Written By: Vanessa Bañuelos-Dawson
Summer of Spork: TOY STORY 4 Feeds Fans Only the Best
Disclosure: Thank you Disney Pixar for inviting us to screen Toy Story 4. All opinions are my own.
Disney and Pixar’s TOY STORY 4 is sure to be the summer’s favorite film, feeding fans another
serving of fun. Consider this the kickoff to the Summer of Spork.
Since the franchise’s last release in 2010, the world hasn’t been the same. Toy Story 3 ended
with the toy gang in the arms of a new kid and it changed everything. Toy Story 3 had a magic
to it—allowing nostalgia for the generation that knew and loved the first two films, all while
perfectly entertaining a new generation of young moviegoers.
Along with familiar favorites, Toy Story 4 welcomes a new cast of toys. At the center of it all is
Bonnie’s favorite homemade toy—Forky (Tony Hale). Forky is the complete opposite of Sheriff
Woody (Tom Hanks)—scared, insecure, and completely content without the love of a child. In a
quick turn of events, Woody vows to be Forky’s guardian and the duo find themselves in the
worst possible predicament for a toy to be in—they become lost.
The film follows the pair as they try to return to Bonnie, and to everyone’s surprise, they come
across Woody’s past love Bo Peep (Annie Potts). Bo is a different toy since her last appearance
in Toy Story 2, as she presents herself as resilient, tactful, and protective. As the female toy with
the most screen time (sorry Jessie [Joan Cusack] fans), Bo’s character is unique and strikes
interesting conversations about self-worth and purpose.
Director Josh Cooley ensures the chemistry of new and familiar characters is electric. In
wonderful fashion, the introductions of Forky and Duke Caboom (Keanu Reeves) are
memorable and hilarious—presenting multi-faceted characters, completely fresh from the
lovable, yet worn favorites of Toy Story 1 and 2.
Saving the best for last, Toy Story 4 introduces the oddest toy BFFs of all, Ducky (Keegan-
Michael Key) and Bunny (Jordan Peele). Nothing can stop this carnival couple from being truly
themselves—toys with the best escape plans.
Toy Story 4 is a breath of fresh air, and a film to entertain any age group. From physical comedy
to inside jokes, the film reminds viewers how fun it is to play with toys.
See Disney and Pixar’s Toy Story 4 in theatres beginning this Friday, June 21.
