However, the Telegraph’s Robbie Collin held a much higher opinion, external of film five, pointing to a “warm and wry update of a beloved formula” in his four-star review.
He praised cowgirl doll Jessie’s “promotion” to lead character, referring to the character’s emotional journey while revisiting her first owner.
The film is, he said, is “another parable of parental crisis dressed up as a brightly coloured family adventure” – and a “cautionary tale about online childhoods”.
Yet it “pulls fewer punches than might be expected”, he added, regarding its social commentary on technology.
Kevin Maher of the Times also offered four stars, external, commenting that “Sir Keir Starmer will love it”.
He said the movie’s message is “a sign of turning tide or an audacious act of self sabotage”.
“A touchy-feely third act seems to argue for a shaky compromise of the toxic tech debate (group chat = bad, non WiFi-enabled tech toys under supervision at certain times = tolerable),” he pondered.
“Yet in the end, Toy Story 5 cannot shake the lingering sense that it’s not only the age of toys but childhood itself that is over.”
But there was scepticism from Rolling Stone’s David Fear, who said:, external “Why are you doing this, Pixar?
“Regardless of well-deserved worries about screen-time or not, there doesn’t feel like there’s a reason for this to exist other than keeping your stockholders happy.”
