Toy Story 5 Review: A Sweet, Funny Reminder That Imagination Still Matters
Taking Charlee and Nova to see Toy Story 5 at the Oakmont 8 movie theater in Bradenton sounds like the perfect kind of day: reclining seats, popcorn, movie treats, and two little girls getting swept into the magic of Pixar. And honestly, that may be the best way to experience this movie: through the eyes of children.
Toys Meet Technology
Toy Story 5 brings back the familiar favorites: Woody, Buzz, Jessie, and the rest of the gang. This time, the story has a very modern twist. The toys are facing a new kind of competition: screens, tablets, and technology. Pixar’s official description calls it “Toy meets Tech,” with the toys challenged by the electronics kids are obsessed with today.
The movie’s new character, Lilypad, a smart tablet voiced by Greta Lee, becomes the symbol of that modern challenge. For parents, grandparents, and anyone who remembers when toys, imagination, and backyard adventures were everything, the theme hits home. For kids, it works because the movie is colorful, funny, fast-moving, and filled with characters they already love.
What makes Toy Story 5 valuable is that it is not just another sequel. It gives families something to talk about after the movie: Are kids spending too much time on screens? Do toys still matter? Can imagination compete with technology? Pixar manages to ask those questions without making the movie feel preachy.
A Family Movie With Heart
The animation is beautiful, the familiar voices bring comfort, and the emotional moments are still there. It may not replace the original Toy Story in people’s hearts, but it does something important: it reminds us why this series has lasted so long. These movies have always been about growing up, letting go, friendship, loyalty, and the quiet heartbreak of childhood moving too fast.
For Charlee and Nova, who also recently shared a day of discovery at Mote Aquarium, the best parts may have been the seats, popcorn, treats, and seeing Buzz and Woody on the big screen. For adults, the best part may be watching little ones laugh, point, snack, and believe in the magic for a couple of hours.
My Review
Toy Story 5 is a warm, family-friendly movie with laughs, heart, nostalgia, and a timely message about the importance of play. It is absolutely worth seeing with kids, especially in a theater. Sometimes the movie is only part of the memory. The real story is the experience you share together.
In a world full of tablets, phones, and screens, Toy Story 5 gently reminds us that childhood is still better with imagination, popcorn, and someone you love sitting beside you.