Almost 5 years to the day when the OddFather was born. Back then it was a smalltime blog with barely any readers, and a real lack of identity. 5 years later, The OddFather is a smalltime blog with a few readers, and a blog with an identity-crisis.
But here we are again. Where it all began. A movie review. Only – my movie reviews stopped being movie reviews and became rambling that inspired this current blog format. So if you’re here wanting a proper breakdown of Toy Story 5… I’d turn away now. No, not really – please continue reading, you may find something else to enjoy. Look, here’s a gif of a woman being sprayed in the face with Coca Cola.
Sexy.
As mentioned in last week’s heatwave post, the OddFamily escaped to the cinema for some A/C. I say this as if the movie was an excuse to get A/C, but the reality is I love Toy Story movies and needed an excuse to watch it.
I have no problem going to the cinema solo. In fact, I really enjoy going on my own. But after going to see Toy Story 3 on my own in 2010 I draw the line at movies largely aimed at kids. I should have known I’d look a bit weird as a solo guy in his late 20s, sitting amongst a bunch of kids during the day. How was I supposed to know it was half-term?! Didn’t help it was a tear jerker of a movie too.
If I were to rank the Toy Story movies, I would do so like this:
- Toy Story 3 tops the list because I’m an absolute sucker for an emotional ending.
- Toy Story 2 remains one of the greatest sequels ever made.
- Toy Story still holds up despite looking like it was rendered on a potato.
- Toy Story 4 gets far more hate than it deserves.
Yep. I love Toy Story.
To say I was excited about seeing Toy Story 5 was an understatement.
Was I setting myself up for failure? Never.
What more – I decided to add to the challenge by bringing the OddSon along. He almost made it through all of Pixar’s Hoppers a couple of months back. And I’ve been educating him on Toy Story by making him watch previous instalments leading up to this cinema date. What could possibly go wrong?
For starters – the OddSon’s lack of chill meant he knocked over the entire portion of Nachos I had just paid an arm and a leg for. I do not like wasting food – especially shit food – in this manner. The first 15 minutes he was pretty relaxed sitting with me, and watched as I gave him one popcorn at a time. Unfortunately the first 15 minutes only covered the trailers.
Then he decided to go to the other end of our row to Mrs OddFather and proved to be a bit of a handful… but not my handful. Somewhere around the twenty-minute mark, I realised I’d spent more time watching the OddSon than watching Toy Story.
Which is maybe why I found Toy Story 5… disappointing.
I like Jessie as a character. But I don’t really find her compelling enough to lead a movie. Yes, I get it. She was abandoned by her girl. But thats been her thing for multiple movies. Perhaps this was to conclude that arc – but here’s the kicker – it didn’t make me cry.
That’s the level we’re at now, people. Either make me cry or go home.
I found myself longing for scenes with Buzz and Woody more often. The pacing was a bit all over the place too – there’s a lot happening – which again was difficult to keep on top of when I was also trying to keep the OddSon from destroying the place.
Look, the huge caveat here is I probably should assess my true feelings for this movie when I watch it without distraction.
I understand the sentiment around tech and how it can negatively impact kids’ imagination. Every morning the OddDaughter asks me if she can watch something over breakfast. Every morning I say no. Ok. Most mornings I say no.
I do fear the role tech will play in the kids’ lives. Mrs OddFather and I are adamant the kids won’t get tech until they’re 14-16. But that’s easier said than done. When all other kids have phones etc that does affect a child socially. I guess we’ll see what happens in years to come.
The point is, I did like how they handled tech in Toy Story 5. That said, when I asked the OddDaughter for her favourite moment – she mentioned the LilyPad… and then went on to ask when she gets to have her own iPad.
Shit.
Toy Story 5 is not a bad movie at all. It’s still a good movie, it’s just not amazing. And that is a big deal to me. Ask the OddDaughter though, and she’d say it’s her favourite of the lot.
Ask the OddSon and he’ll try and swindle you out of chocolate.
Maybe it’s a 3.5.
Maybe it’s a 4.
Maybe it’s impossible to judge a film properly when you’re simultaneously trying to stop your toddler eating the seat in front.
Either way, I’ll be watching it again.
Preferably without buying nachos.
