Toy Story 5 Review: Better on Your Couch Than in a Theater.

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Toy Story 5 Review: Better on Your Couch Than in a Theater

written by

🫎🍻 The Doozy Dude

I’ll admit it…

When Disney announced Toy Story 5, my first reaction wasn’t excitement.

It was…

“Didn’t we already say goodbye?”

The original trilogy was nearly perfect. Toy Story 4 somehow managed to justify its existence. So naturally, I walked into the theater wondering whether Pixar still had another meaningful story to tell—or if this was simply another trip to the toy box because the franchise prints money.

After watching it…

I’d say it’s somewhere in the middle.

Toy Meets Technology

This time around, Woody, Buzz, Jessie, and the gang find themselves facing a new kind of rival—not another toy, but technology.

Bonnie receives Lilypad, an interactive tablet that’s convinced it knows what’s best for her. It’s a clever idea because, let’s be honest, today’s kids spend just as much time with screens as they do with toys.

Pixar deserves credit here.

The movie never turns into an “electronics are evil” lecture. Instead, it asks a simple question:

Can imagination survive in a world dominated by technology?

It’s one of the film’s strongest ideas.

The Characters Still Feel Like Home

One thing Pixar almost never gets wrong is its characters.

Hearing Tom Hanks as Woody and Tim Allen as Buzz still feels like coming home.

Joan Cusack’s Jessie continues to steal scenes whenever she’s on screen, and the supporting cast delivers exactly what longtime fans have come to expect.

The chemistry is still there.

The heart is still there.

The humor still works.

Which is why it’s frustrating that the story itself never reaches the same level.

Good… Just Not Great

Here’s the problem.

I kept waiting for that one unforgettable Pixar moment.

You know the kind.

The scene that makes you laugh one second and question your entire existence the next.

It never came.

Instead, Toy Story 5 plays things surprisingly safe.

The emotional moments land…

They’re just not nearly as powerful as the franchise’s best entries.

By the time the credits rolled, I enjoyed myself—but I wasn’t blown away.

Does It Need to Exist?

That’s probably the biggest question surrounding this movie.

Does Toy Story 5 justify being made?

I’d say…

Mostly.

It’s entertaining.

It’s funny.

It’s beautifully animated.

But it never feels essential.

If the Toy Story franchise had ended before this film, I don’t think anyone would’ve felt like they missed an important chapter.

That’s not a terrible criticism.

It’s just the reality of making a fifth movie in one of the greatest animated franchises ever created.

Save the Ticket Money

Here’s where I landed.

If you’ve got young kids who love Toy Story…

Go ahead.

They’ll have fun.

If you’re a lifelong Pixar fan…

You’ll enjoy seeing Woody, Buzz, and the gang back together again.

But if you’re debating whether this is worth premium theater prices…

I’d wait.

This is exactly the kind of movie that shines during a cozy movie night at home.

Pizza on the coffee table.

Blanket on the couch.

Disney+ loaded up.

Honestly?

That feels like the perfect way to experience this one.

🫎 Muddy Moose Rating

🫎🫎🫎🫎☆

7/10 Moose

🍿 Verdict

Wait for Streaming.

A fun return to the Toy Story universe that delivers laughs, heart, and gorgeous animation—but never quite reaches the emotional heights of Pixar’s best work.

👍 Best Part

The timeless chemistry between Woody, Buzz, Jessie, and the gang. These characters remain as lovable as ever.

👎 Biggest Miss

It never answers the question every sequel should: Why did this movie need to exist?

🫎🍻 The Doozy Dude Says…

“Toy Story 5 is like seeing an old friend you haven’t talked to in years. You’re genuinely happy to catch up… but by the end of the visit, you’re not sure either of you had anything new to say.”