Is Toy Story 4 ok for kids? Should children see the new Toy Story 4 Movie Review | Safe for Kids? an honest parents guide and mom review of the newest Disney Pixar animated film. No spoilers! #ToyStory4 This post is sponsored by Disney Pixar. All opinions are my own. May contain commissioned links.
Toy Story 4 Movie Review | Safe for Kids?
I was content with Toy Story 3. And then Pixar announced a Toy Story 4, and my skeptical eyebrow was raised. I mean a spork, an ex-girlfriend in pants, and Keanu Reeves as a tiny “Duke” of hazard? I had my doubts.
Why couldn’t Pixar just leave a good ending alone?
But ready or not, Toy Story 4 – the final sequel is here. In this Toy Story 4 Movie Review | Safe for Kids?, I’m talking visuals, the story, why this G rated movie may still NOT be for “all audiences,” and if this is the best Pixar sequel ever or a Disney Pixar fan let-down in this full no spoiler parent movie review.
The Visuals
Watch the original Toy Story film right before watching Toy Story 4. Only then you can truly appreciate the visuals. Wow. Just wow. Remember how we thought the visuals in Toy Story were amazing? Toy Story 4 blows the visuals away. The detail. The precision. The lifelike moments. I had to remind myself constantly that this was an animated film and NOT a live action. Colorful, stunning, and Pixar signature written all over them – it’s 24 years of art perfected in only the way that Disney Pixar can.
The Story
Skeptical doesn’t begin to describe how I felt about jumping into another Toy Story story. There’s a huge difference between the nostalgic feels of the original Toy Story, the let-down of Toy Story 2 (sorry to all of the Toy Story 2 lovers), and the satisfying triumph and closure of Toy Story 3. But after a roller coaster of emotions invested in these Toy Story films, my heart wasn’t ready for another possible bad sequel. I wanted it all to end with a sweet note.
Transition. Toy Story 4 is preparing all of us for the next step – transitioning from one part of our lives to the next. And this story takes you to that deeper place – finding the strength to finally close one door and open the next. With the addition of new characters (big Forky and Duke Caboom fan over here), the preservation of old characters, and a clever plot line, this story flowed well, providing an ending that I didn’t think that I needed. Toy Story 4 answers questions that I hadn’t even thought of yet – that maybe with another 24 years, I would have finally pondered on. Genius.
Because this movie franchise is so iconic to the pure existence of Pixar, I knew they would do it well. The story had soul. It had unexpected moments. It had all of the misty eyed heart string pulling tears. And at the end of the day, this movie gives us those important life lessons – dealing with change, looking beyond the superficial, friendship, hope.
That G Rating…Or Is It?
Is Toy Story 4 safe for kids to see? Because if you remember my thoughts on Disney PG movies (Incredibles 2 PG vs. Christopher Robin PG), not all ratings are equal.
Why is Toy Story 4 rated G? While I was happy to see a G-rated Disney Pixar film back on the movie slate (it feels like forever!), I honestly have a few thoughts on whether this sequel is truly “for all audiences” as the rating suggests.
Parents, here’s why Toy Story 4 may not be for all children.
Language. None. I would expect this with a G-rated movie.
Violence. Minimal cartoon violence, some of which are already portrayed in the trailers. Comparable to violence seen in Toy Story 3, but with more human interaction.
Adult Themes. Creepy dolls. I repeat. Creepy dolls. While there certainly are no whopping red flags in this film, I have to give credence to the fact that Toy Story 4 may produce nightmares in young kids. Music, darkness and a few suspenseful scenes with old dolls definitely had my 6-year old on edge during this film. And while rated G, there are definitely points where I would consider this movie comparable to a cartoon horror/thriller. (Remember Return to Oz? Still gives me chills as an adult!)
The creepy doll scenes are pretty obvious – with enough time to cover little eyes if needed. But certainly I wouldn’t even consider this movie necessarily for “all audiences” in that regard, especially with the stunning lifelike visuals. Parents with young kids may want to screen first for overly sensitive/jumpy kids.
Is Toy Story 4 The Best Pixar Sequel Ever?
Is Toy Story 4 kid friendly? I remember how I felt watching Toy Story as a kid. Animation unlike anything I had seen at the time, this was not the usual Disney animated film. I was confused. Where was the singing? I was intrigued. How the heck did they make an entire movie on a computer? I was hopeful.
This new Disney Pixar collaboration was surely going to dazzle a new generation of movie lovers. Toy Story is it’s own pedestal of animated movie perfection. And every movie after is just icing on the cake. Fast forward to Toy Story 3, I was content with this installment being the LAST of the Toy Story movies. I “thought” that this is was the perfect sequel ending.
Insert Toy Story 4.
Can I compare Avengers: Endgame and Toy Story 4 in the same review? Sure, why not. You know that the end is coming – but yet nothing care truly prepare you for the results. Is it my favorite of the Toy Story movies? No. Much like Endgame, Toy Story 4 is necessary movie for story completion – but doesn’t have to be the best chapter. You could argue that this is the best Pixar sequel ever. I encourage you to do so in the comments. But for now, Toy Story 3 will forever hold my heart.
Like a parent knowing what’s best for their kids, Pixar knew all along what we needed to close the Toy Story story. It’s the last hug you give an old friend before saying goodbye. It’s the closure to a relationship. It’s bittersweet.
The Overall
At only a run time of only 90 minutes (1 hour and 30 minutes flew by!), I appreciate that Pixar didn’t stretch out the movie, just for the sake of the sequel. There was a story, a flow, a hand-holding and tissues on standby kind of movie. Toy Story 4 is the like the ending of a good book. While the final chapter wasn’t my favorite moment of the entire Toy Story series, this movie provides the closure I wasn’t prepared for, the goodbye I needed to say to old friends, the emotional tears I needed to shed before closing the back cover.
Toy Story is more than a movie – it’s a feeling of home. Growing up and finally letting go of those old feelings of comfort, transitioning into a new chapter and a new story – that’s Toy Story 4.
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Toy Story 4 is in theaters everywhere on June 21, 2019. Are you taking your kids to see Toy Story 4? Do you think this newest Pixar sequel is safe for kids to see?
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I was invited to attend a press screening of Disney Pixar’s Toy Story 4 as a part of the Toy Story 4 Press Junket, in exchange for this Toy Story 4 Movie Review | Safe for Kids? post. Be sure to follow Raising Whasians for more movie updates, celebrity interviews, entertainment and behind-the-scenes info!
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