★★★★

In a post-Andy world, the heart and soul of the Toy Story saga ended sixteen years ago, all since rendered adjunctive. The Bonnie years have yet to drop the ball but lack necessity. Where Toy Story 4 charted life post-Andy imitatively, however, the fifth does stray from the beaten path. Just a smidge. Toy Story 5 may feel no more essential than its 2019 predecessor but the film does, at least, boast a certain tonal distinction. For the first time in thirty years, Randy Newman doesn’t sing. Oh, and Tom Hanks’ Woody is no longer the lead.