'Toy Story 5': The toys are back, fighting for our attention

Five films in, it’s easy to see why Toy Story remains one of the most beloved franchises in animation. Andrew Stanton returns to direct “Toy Story 5“, co-writing the film alongside McKenna Harris, a former Disney story artist, the movie hits all the notes we’ve come to expect — humor, adventure and heart-tugging emotion — while finding a fresh reason for these characters to return.

This time, Woody, Buzz and Jessie and the rest of the gang are back to face a challenge unlike anything they have encountered before. Their mission is no longer just about protecting their child, it’s about protecting the very idea of play itself. When they come face-to-face with LilyPad, a new technology device threatening to replace traditional playtime, the toys must figure out how to keep imagination alive in a world increasingly controlled by screens.

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The conflict feels especially fitting for today’s generation. Rather than relying on another villain who simply wants to destroy them, the film explores something much more familiar: the struggle between human connection and digital distraction. The biggest threat isn’t a monster or an enemy, it’s the endless pull of technology.

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Jessie takes charge

The story also places a stronger focus on Jessie, voiced by actress Joan Cussack, allowing audiences to see more of her history and understand the experiences that shaped her. While Woody (Tom Hanks) and Buzz (Tim Allen) have always been at the center of the franchise, giving Jessie more room to shine adds an emotional layer to the sequel and reminds viewers that every toy carries a story of its own.

What makes “Toy Story 5” work is that it never forgets what made the original films special. The director clearly understands these characters and the world they belong to, bringing them into the modern era without losing the warmth, charm and sincerity that audiences fell in love with. The movie feels familiar, but not like a simple repeat of what came before.

The humor is another major strength. Almost every joke lands, and the film manages to create moments that appeal to both younger audiences and the adults who grew up with these characters. Nostalgia plays a natural role, but it never feels like the movie is relying only on memories. Instead, it uses that nostalgia as a foundation for a story that still has something meaningful to say.

Of course, there will always be people who believe the franchise should have ended with Toy Story 3, closing the chapter on Andy’s story and leaving the toys on Bonnie’s porch. Even Toy Story 4 raised the question of whether another installment was necessary. But against expectations, “Toy Story 5” proves that there are still emotional stories worth telling, as long as there is a genuine reason behind them.

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The film’s message is simple but surprisingly powerful. Social media often encourages people to present impossible versions of themselves, but “Toy Story 5” asks audiences to remember the importance of authenticity. Somewhere between endless scrolling, notifications, and chasing digital approval, we risk losing the things that make us human: creativity, connection and the joy of being present.

The movie remains about the relationship between toys and children: the way they love, protect and stay loyal to the people who need them. That emotional foundation is what has carried the franchise through five films, and it is still what makes the series so special.

Whether audiences believe another Toy Story movie was needed or not, “Toy Story 5” is the kind of film that makes you want to believe in magic again.

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At its heart, “Toy Story 5” is a film that asks children to cherish the toys they have now, while inviting adults to look back at the toys they once loved and which gave them comfort on those long ago days. It becomes a quiet reminder that even in adulthood, there is still something meaningful in the simplicity of play and imagination – something worth returning to, even if only in memory.

“Toy Story 5” is now showing in theaters. /edv