Toy Story 4 (2019)

The whole gang is back for yet another insight into the world of what toys get up to when nobody is looking.

Now that Andy has gone to college, all of his toys have gone to a little girl named Bonnie (Madeleine McGraw). She is just about to start kindergarten, and is nervous about what that will entail.

Even though she isn't allowed to take any toys with her to her orientation, Woody (Tom Hanks) stows away in her backpack, to keep an eye on her and make sure everything goes okay.

While there, she makes something from random craft supplies: a spork with pipe-cleaner arms, popsicle-stick feet and goggle eyes, that she names Forky (Tony Hale), and who quickly becomes her new favourite toy.

Bonnie (Madeleine McGraw) shows off her new favourite toy Forky (Tony
Hale).

But when he meets all the other toys in her room, he decides he doesn't want to be a toy, and he keeps trying to run away.

To reward Bonnie for being so brave on her first day of kindergarten, her parents take her on a road trip, and all the toys tag along.

But Forky throws himself out of the window of the RV on the middle of the highway, Woody must go after him to save him. They find themselves in an antique store next to a visiting carnival - the rest of the toys are at the RV park between the store and the carnival.

Inside the store, Woody and Forky meet a doll named Gabby Gabby (Christina Hendricks), who wants nothing more than to be taken home by a child, but as an antique doll, most children aren't interested.

When Bonnie realises Forky is missing, she is absolutely distraught, and the other toys, led by Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen), do everything they can to get Woody and Forky back again before the family leave the RV park.

Woody (Tom Hanks), Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) and Bo Peep (Annie Potts),
with Bunny (Jordan Peele) behind.

All your favourite toys are back: Rex (Wallace Shawn), Mr. Potato Head (Don Rickles), Jessie (Joan Cusack), Trixie (Kristen Schaal) and Mrs. Potato Head (Estelle Harris). But there are plenty of new toys to meet and fall in love with, too: Duke Caboom (Keanu Reeves), Bunny (Jordan Peele) and Ducky (Keegan-Michael Key), to name just a few.

The screenplay, written by Andrew Stanton & Stephany Folsom, is just beautiful, with all the characters audiences have grown to love and a bunch of new ones to enjoy. The plot is filled with twists and turns, and plenty of moments for parents to enjoy while attending with their children. I know I've said this before, but Pixar have managed to do this with all their films thus far, and this one is no exception.

There are a lot of similarities between this instalment and the original Toy Story from way back in 1995. It feels like the filmmakers are trying to bring these characters to a new generation, but I must say, they've done a brilliant job of this.

The first indication of this is the opening titles sequence, which features the song 'You've Got a Friend in Me' performed by Randy Newman, the same way the original film began.

Randy Newman also composed the film's score, and has written a couple of new songs for this film. These new songs are similar in tone and general feel to any other songs from the previous Toy Story films. The rest of the music is just perfect, reflecting either the on-screen action or, in most instances, the emotion or intensity of the accompanying action.

Gabby Gabby (Christina Hendricks).

All of the voice cast are very well suited to their roles. Of course, the majority of the cast have performed these roles before, some in all three previous films. Of the new cast, some definite favourites of mine are Jordan Peele and Keegan-Michael Key, who have a great chemistry together, having worked together extensively before on their show, Key & Peele. They have a wonderful connection here, and their dialogue bounces back and forth with brilliant comic timing.

Madeleine McGraw also injects real emotion - and turmoil - into the character of Bonnie, making her a fully three-dimensional character that will bring you to tears - in a good way.

Speaking of tears, I must advise you, if any of the previous three films brought a tear to your eye, make sure you bring tissues for this one.

Director Josh Cooley has made an absolutely beautiful film here. There hasn't been a Toy Story film this good in a long time, and I know I will be watching this one many more times.

9 out of 10.

Inside Out (2015)

Have you ever wondered what is going on inside someone else's head? Well, this film attempts to answer that question.

Riley Andersen (Kaitlyn Dias) is 11 years old, and with her parents (Kyle MacLachlan and Diane Lane) has just moved from Minnesota - where she has lived her whole life - to San Francisco, where she knows no-one, has to adjust to a new school and new surroundings.

And thanks to the magic of animation, we are able to see inside her head, where her emotions are all personified. Joy (Amy Poehler) is the self-appointed leader of the emotions, as Joy is the main emotion that Riley has felt so far as a child. But now, as she approaches her teenage years - and as her life is becoming less and less enjoyable for her - some of the other emotions are beginning to take over.

The other main emotion who starts coming to the fore a lot more is Sadness (Phyllis Smith). In fact, even some of Riley's Core Memories (that were hitherto Joyful memories) are beginning to be tainted with touches of Sadness.

One day, Joy and Sadness together are whisked out of 'Headquarters' and end up lost in Riley's 'Long Term Memory', and have to find their way back to Headquarters, along with all of Riley's Core Memories, that are at risk of falling into 'the dump' and being lost forever.

While Joy and Sadness are away from Headquarters, Riley's other emotions are left to take charge. Fear (Bill Hader), Disgust (Mindy Kaling) and Anger (Lewis Black) start to become more and more prevalent in Riley's various outbursts, as her parents try to understand what has come over their little girl all of a sudden.

In Riley's Long Term Memory, Joy and Sadness find Riley's imaginary friend, Bing Bong (Richard Kind), who helps them in their journey out of his long-held love for Riley.

I'll let you discover the rest for yourself if you haven't seen this film yet. Writers Meg Lefauve, Josh Cooley and Pete Docter (who was also the director of this film) have created in my opinion an absolute masterpiece. The writing is so clever, and the animation so good (though who could expect less from a Pixar film these days?) that it is very easy to get swept up in the story, and to really feel for Riley and her parents in the whole situation.

Music by Michael Giacchino is subtle and heartfelt. There is a very simple piano theme that repeats throughout, which serves to ground the viewer each time it appears.

I have said this over and over again to many people with whom I have discussed this film over the years: This is quite simply the best Pixar film since Finding Nemo back in 2003. And I think it would be very difficult to knock it from this position, at least as far as I am concerned.

There is plenty here for young children to enjoy and to learn, particularly the lesson that it is okay to feel sad sometimes (Joy has a very hard time accepting that Sadness is a valid part of Riley's emotions, and it is only through a long and arduous journey that she realises for herself that Sadness is important, too). But there is also so much in here for older audiences, parents and other adults alike. This to me is the appeal of animated films like this, there is something for everyone.

9 out of 10.