Thoughts of Toy Story 5

The announcement of Toy Story 5 has brought a flood of emotions to many: some are excited, some want to see Pixar give it a rest, and many don’t want this next movie to mess this up for the other four. But the topic has also brought me to really dig deep into the Toy Story franchise and discuss a more sentimental parallel between the Toy Story characters and our everyday lives.

Let’s get into it …

Toy Story

At first glance, Toy Story is about toys of all different shapes and sizes that come to life when children are not around. From a child’s perspective, the movie is about just toys. But who do these toys represent? The toys represent parents. From the day the toys come into the child’s life (as a precious gift), the toys (the parent) spend their whole life trying to make their kids happy. When the kids are present, the toys let the children imagine and dream and play freely.  When the child leaves, the toys have a whole life of their own. The toys want to be there when their kids go to school and want to sneak into their backpacks and be by their side at all times. The toys feel that the kids need them, but eventually, the toys realize the children are okay on their own. Sounds a lot like us as parents, doesn’t it?

 

Toy Story 2

Toy Story 2 discusses the emotions parents feel when their kids grow up and become empty nesters. Jessie is a toy who feels alone and abandoned after her child grows up and leaves her. Similarly, parents often feel the same way when their children leave for college or leave “the nest.” Jessie finds herself by socializing with Woodie and Buzz and breaking out of her shell and finding enjoyment in hobbies she likes. What a wonderful lesson for parents who may be experiencing empty nest syndrome!

Toy Story 3

In Toy Story 3, we see a lot more of the adult side in the toys after Andy goes to college and the toys all accidentally end up in daycare. This is where Barbie, Ken, Lotso, and all the personalities are introduced and representative of many of the personalities we encounter in our daily lives. Ugh! Why does having to be an adult have to be so difficult sometimes?! At least it all turns out ok in the end.

Toy Story 4

Toy Story 4 was an absolute tear-jerker. The toys are now with Bonnie, making new friendships, rekindling long-lost romantic interests, and realizing that perhaps their journeys as toys are taking them down different paths now that their child is grown. This is the episode where the toys find themselves as individuals apart from their children and have to make the tough decision of how they want to proceed with their personal lives once their children are fully grown and independent.

Toy Story 5

Before you watch Toy Story 5 or decide whether or not you are wanting to, re-watch Toy Story, Toy Story 2, Toy Story 3, and Toy Story 4. While you watch, don’t follow the story of the toys, follow the journey of the parents. From when the children were little and went to school, through dating and sibling/friendship drama, while they went to college, and even throughout our own personal struggles and more. The biggest takeaway from each movie: you need your friends! It takes a village to raise a child. Never be scared to ask for help. We are all in this together. We all look different, come from different backgrounds, and have different packaging, etc. but we all come together in times of need. I think you will find that Disney did an incredible job with this series and you will fall in love with it as much as I have.

“You’ve got a friend in me 
You got troubles, I’ve got ’em too
There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for you
We stick together and see it through
‘Cause you’ve got a friend in me”

Disney’s Toy Story