Toy Story 5: Toys vs Tech?

Toy Story 5 is an energetic, tender, and heart warming message of the importance of imagination and community in a digital age. It’s difficult to write this review as someone who strongly believes that Toy Story 3 is the perfect ending to the perfect trilogy. However, since Toy Story of Terror came out in a Post-Andy era, and I loved it so much, I’ve had to embrace that the Toy Story films still deserve to be made. Toy Story 5 does not disappoint.

After Woody and Buzz’s story seemed to draw to a close after Toy Story 4, Jesse takes to center stage. This makes sense as Bonnie naturally gravitates towards girl dolls, deputizing Jesse as her sheriff doll after removing Woody’s badge that sent himself on a self discovery journey in the previous episode. This is certainly a shift in the Toy Story Universe that has caused much concern, though I would say it is my least critique about the film. 

Having a daughter myself, who is obsessed with mystery stories, I see the similarities of how girls use their imagination in play. Bonnie is no different in making herself the central focus through the lens of her toys. The story not only pivots its playtime more into feminine space but also how a girl finds value and identity. 

Bonnie struggles to see her value as she struggles to find her place in community.  Many of the female toys and tech characters share in this same struggle, willingly discarding themselves after letting down others has caused relational riffs.  A girl desires most to be seen and know they are loved. Boys desire most to be useful and known. This distinction is dramatically observed in the film especially through smarty pants, a potty tech device, and Buzz. I had hoped this was explored more with Woody, who has clearly taken on a savior complex. An additional scene of him admitting his struggle to let others help would have tied a bow on what they were trying to do with the dynamic of Woody and Buzz.

Which Buzz, might be too much of a spoiler but was my favorite part of the movie that needs to be seen rather than read.

This is the first time a Toy Story movie has tackled an issue that involves the human characters over human characteristics through the perspective of toys. This certainly makes this movie stand out in the series as more screen time is spent in lieu of its message about screen time use and the impact it has on our kids.

For adults, it's a bit of a knee jerk as we still view toys as the primary way kids play. The film makes toys feel old and outdated - perhaps that’s the point. For kids, it’s perhaps the first time a toy story movie matched their reality. Nostalgia seems to separate two different generations as the parents look backwards and kids look forward.

As Bonnie wrestles to find friends, her parents resort to technology to help her find social connection in a digital age. Once Lilypad arrives via amazon prime, it changes how Bonnie plays entirely; turning her into a screen zombie overnight. A classic but almost too real comment is made from the parents about setting up boundaries with the device and then… life happens. Good intentions of finding a balance of tech use in the home is a challenge and kids being handed these devices have more say than we realize on how that balance is enforced. Its presence creates not just more opportunities of character development for them but us as parents in how and when we let them engage with technology. The movie never addresses parents using tech for babysitting purposes; which would have been convicting for any parent to see. Though it does have a moment of dad doom scrolling in the background. 

Behind all of this, there is a different message entirely, which I believe is the real message parents should be paying attention to.  That message is “know what has influence”. It's not a cautionary tale of tech but being engaged parents.

Bonnie’s parents introduce tech because they are already involved and aware of what is going on with Bonnie. As Bonnie navigates tech so are the parents… (there needs to be grace in that). But the movie in turn is not about finding the right balance in tech but finding the right balance in friends. Bonnie doesn’t just need friends… she needs confidence that she can make the right kind of friends; ones that build each other up, encourage, and care for each other. I would add one more thing that the movie forgets: friends who point each other towards truth.

Bonnie’s first run in with friends has her unseen and the object of the other girls inside jokes. These experiences can hinder not just a young girl's spirit but anyone's willingness to be vulnerable with others. However, a poignant moment takes place at just the right time. Bonnie’s mother affirms her love for Bonnie. She reminds her that Mom and Dad are a safe and trusted bond with whom Bonnie can navigate the world. The scene had me in tears. I saw not just my role as a parent and what I want most for my kids; I saw the truth of why God gives us such a role. 

“You can always come and talk to Mom and Dad”. Those words are not just true in the moment but create hope and confidence to handle challenges in the future. Our kids need the trust and support of both their parents behind their development.

God placed both mom and dad in a child’s life not as a watchtower or caretaker but as a developer. A mirrored image of God’s love and devotion towards us, so that we may grow in His wisdom and character knowing confidently who He says we are. The parent voice is both a launching pad into the unknown of the world and a safety net that points them back to their true north. (Star command if you happen to be a Buzz Lightyear). Being able to speak the truth into confusion and hurt is exactly what our children need. God's Word is not only truth but it is for our good because God is good. He has spoken to us for the same reason, we as parents, want to speak into our own kids lives. It's not about sheltering them from ever being harmed but building in them the ability to stand in the truth even when harm comes.

Anything else this movie offers can be built around this framework. It’s an opportunity to engage with our kids about what they are seeing, what they think about tech in their lives, and how they experience making friends. Spark curiosity and then use the time to point them towards the truth of what God says over them. 

Here are some verses you can use when talking about the movie with your kids:

For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Luke 12:34

[Lord,] You are good, and what you do is good; teach me your decrees.

Psalm 119:68

3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus

Philippians 2:3-5

Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good character.”

1 Corinthians 15:33