Probably the most loved animated franchise of Hollywood is Tom Hanks and Tim Allen starrer Toy Story. Started in 1995, Toy Story had received a lot of love from the critics and the audience alike. Now nine years later, Toy Story 4 is up for a release next week. And the good news for the die-hard fans of the franchise is that the movie has once again scored a perfect 100 per cent rating on Rotten Tomatoes consisting of 80 reviews so far. The review counting is sure to go beyond 300 number just like the last film, but it's a positive sign for the makers as well as the fans to expect nothing less than a masterpiece.
The movie was not only a blockbuster at the box office, but also became one of the rare films to have a 100 per cent rating at Rotten Tomatoes after the reviews by 83 film critics. Its sequel titled Toy Story 2, released four years later in 1999 and was another massive success with again a 100 per cent rating comprising of 166 reviews. The third part released eleven years later in 2010. Titled Toy Story 3, the movie turned out to be another feather in the glorious franchise and possesses a 98 per cent rating after 303 reviews.
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Here's what some of the film critics are saying about the film that also marks the entry of 2019's favourite Hollywood star and a global internet sensation Keanu Reeves. Check out:
The Times
Giving it 5-star rating, The Times wrote, "Sweet Lord, this is good. You know that you’re in the presence of genius when the first five minutes of what is ostensibly the third sequel to a 24-year-old children’s cartoon about talking toys is revealed to contain more depth, more thought-provoking content and more soulful passion than any Hollywood movie released this year so far."
The Hollywood Reporter
"As Woody, Hanks still sounds as youthful and energetic as he did a quarter century ago, and he plays a significant part in making the revisiting of this franchise all these years later such a pleasure. Potts returns to really come into her own as Bo Peep, who may share an intimate past with show-off Duke Caboom ("Canada's Greatest Stuntman"), whom Keanu Reeves helps turn into an egotistical hoot; even he, however, has a poignant backstory.
Ultimately, what gives Toy Story 4 genuine heft is that it's a tale of second chances and characters who take advantage of them. Like its predecessors, the film is rambunctious, noisy, genial, unpretentious, action-packed and old-fashioned in a very good way."
CNN
"Toy Story 4 delivers a cinematic grand slam, a nine-years-later sequel that's wholly equal to the high expectations raised by the terrific trio that it follows. Touching, raucously funny, adventurous and yes, even profound, Pixar's signature property once again touches them all."
Forbes
"Toy Story 4 is visually glorious and uproariously funny. Honestly, I missed maybe 25% of the (narratively inessential) dialogue due to audience laughter. While not as “cut your heart out with a butter knife” devastating as Toy Story 3, it has its subtle emotional oomph that will make you cry without leaving you a tear-drenched wreck. Like many folks around here, I looked side-eyed at the notion of a fourth Toy Story movie, but I was wrong. This sequel works both as superb stand-alone entertainment and a true story/character progression."
Guardians
"Toy Story 4 also joins the X-Men and the Men In Black in trying to achieve a bit more gender balance, and this is something it does with artless persuasiveness and an implication that it isn’t just the kids who are growing up, it’s the toys themselves. I’m happy to see it happen. Toy Story 4 isn’t at all bad. But it’s time to let go."
Toy Story 4 releases on June 21 in India.
(Source: The Times, The Hollywood Reporter, Forbes, CNN and Gaurdians)