I still remember 9 years ago when I watched "Toy Story 3" in the cinema and cried. As a "Growing Farewell" theme story, it was perfect and the best ending of the "Toy" series.
While there's no reason not to look forward to today's "Toy Story 4" , it's not uncommon to mumble before watching the movie: What kind of story can this film tell after the series has ended successfully?
Fortunately/happily, Pixar did not disappoint this time around, and once again it gave an answer that far exceeded expectations.
"Toy Story 4" has further broken ground while retaining the essence of the first three films, expanding more types of styles and possibilities, and telling new stories about "choice" and "freedom".
[Friendly reminder: There will be spoilers below. 】
There are many attractive qualities of Pixar animation, such as leading 3D technology , excellent script, etc., and there is one thing that cannot be ignored, that is, novel ideas .
There is no need to pull out Pixar's past classic works and post them again. Just look at the "growth history" of the "Toy Story" series to understand: from anthropomorphizing children's toys, thinking from a human standpoint, to various roles Become more alive, and even become a social system that is closely attached to and (relatively) independent of humans, and the creativity in it never runs out.
And "Toys 4" refreshed our understanding of this small world. One of the most obvious representative characters in the early stage was Bonnie's homemade "toy" Chacha.
Logically speaking, a small object DIYed by a young child from scraps is not a toy (Woody's initial reaction also proved this), but he suddenly has his own personality... It's just that Cha Cha has just "awakened". "When I was always talking about myself as "garbage", the identity cognition disorder contained in it corresponds to other cognitions of "born as a toy" , and there is nothing wrong with it.
But from an objective point of view, Bonnie made Fork as his playmate, which is equivalent to giving him the meaning of "toy", which does not contradict the setting of the work- in following and respecting "Toy Story" On the basis of the spiritual principles of the series, it is a good idea to carry out a second innovation that provokes thought-provoking, and at the same time drives the development of the plot.
In addition, "Toys 4" also greatly expands the "worldview" of the series, the most representative of which is the antique store "Toy Club" that appeared in the middle (the door is Pixar "Tin Tin Soldier").
The first "Andy's Toys", the second "Star Collector's Edition Toys", and the third "Kindergarten Toys", the stage of this world has actually been extending outwards, but there is no one like "Toys 4". This creates a more comprehensive, detailed and realistic picture.
In the past, there was an unwritten rule in the film, that is, "playing with children is the meaning of the existence of toys." But in this film, not only a new "stray toys" setting is drawn , but also different toys are further outlined and detailed. The living state greatly enriches the viewing experience of the audience.
On this basis, the refurbished scene transitions and tense adventures of "Toys 4" also appear more fresh, interesting and colorful : Woody constantly softens and hardens "non-mainstream toys" forks, and antique stores are frightened and thrilled to rescue them. The carnival skunk car's "fun with people" cunning and so on, each design will make your eyes shine or a knowing smile more or less.
I briefly talked about "creativity", and I won't say much about the "technical" part (don't ask, asking is just blowing up), then I want to focus on the "story" of "Toys 4".
Just like my previous worries, in fact, the first three "Toy Story" films have been successful enough, and the protagonist Woody has also completed his growth. It is not easy to restart a new story... But I didn't expect that the original "mature" can also be Create new contradictions.
When Andy gave Bonnie his once-beloved toy, we all thought that "happiness is the end", but it wasn't until "Toys 4" that everyone realized that Bonnie was different from Andy. She was an introverted, sensitive, gentle girl.
As a result, Woody, who was used to standing in the C position for many years, gradually fell out of favor, and the rag doll that accompanied Bonnie for a long time was more suitable for giving orders .
However, the mature, reliable and responsible Woody did not retreat passively. He still tried his best to protect his master as in the past. He traveled through mountains and rivers to bring her back Chacha, which was not a toy, and taught him the identity of toys and the meaning of companionship.
It can be said that Woody not only continued the cowboy image he was accustomed to playing, he was enthusiastic, brave, and tenacious, but also added the attributes of the old-fashioned with a sense of difference. In any case, he would never forget his responsibilities and missions. Pass the belt.
At this stage, although the story of Woody and Chacha is interesting, it is still limited to the level of "domestic toys". After that, we began to open our eyes.
"Toys 4" has many new characters, almost every toy can represent a kind of heart disease, idea and pursuit : for example, the Gaby doll has never had close contact with the child, and she blamed it all on the malfunction of the sounder. "Congenital disability", as if making up for this can change his fate, for which he can do whatever he can;
The "plush treasure" Duck and Rabbit are unlucky. No child has been able to win them since they were put on the shelves. Under the psychological distortion, the new Buzz Lightyear who "takes a job" is excluded; the Duke of Locomotive has just walked on "TOY subversion" was abandoned, even if he later became the most handsome boy in the club, he still couldn't solve the psychological obstacle of "I can't"...
All toys, whether they have an owner or not, will sooner or later face the fate of "losing time with children" and experience a self-perception crisis - so, although some of the toys in "Toys 4" have slightly similar character images to their past characters , but its expression is still novel.
It is for this reason that the most eye-catching character in the film (and the real core character) is naturally the shepherdess who pursues a "new life".
The idea of "old characters, new characters" is a coincidence. Shepherdess not only proposed the concept of stray toys, but also practiced her life creed for 7 years: she is not like other abandoned toys and ownerless toys. Desires to play with children, but truly accepts the life of "losing the meaning of toys"; participating in the rescue operation is not to find a new owner, but to lend a helping hand out of "love" with Woody.
By the way, it is also "following the trend of the times to engage in independent feminism" . The level of "Toys 4" is much higher than that of many works. Let's not talk about it, just say "X-Men: Dark Phoenix" and "X-Men: Dark Phoenix" that I just watched this month. Men in Black: The World's Most Wanted", take "X-MEN"/"X-WOMEN" and "Men in Black"/"Women in Black" This kind of joke is really bad - shepherdess Don't bite the bullet and prove it directly with practical actions is better than a thousand words...
What really moved me in the film was not only the shepherdes and other characters pursuing new "meaning of existence", but also that each toy has the right and freedom to make their own choices .
The shepherdess and the little dimpled giggle are admirable, but I am also moved by the ownership of other toys: the Gaby doll mustered up the courage to come together with the lonely child after being disappointed, and Duck and Rabbit began to help others A toy with "resentment", and the Duke of Locomotive just needs a chance to reconcile with the obsession in his heart...
When Woody faced the dilemma of "going back to Bonnie" or "walking around the world with the shepherdess" at the end, I had a feeling of "accepting whatever choice you make" -- to have this feeling, it shows that the film The atmosphere is really created and the theme is explained in place - as long as it is Woody's (toys) own choice, there will be no regrets.
The famous line "Fly to space, the universe is infinite" said by Woody and Buzz Lightyear when they said goodbye can best point out the spirit of "Toys 4".
It symbolizes the wider world and more diverse situations of the "Toy Story" series, meaning a future full of infinite possibilities.
[PS: Please try to read all the subtitles as much as possible, there will be a small Easter egg when Pixar's "Little Jumping Light" appears again~]
View more about Toy Story 4 reviews
