What Toy Story 5 can teach us about discipleship, technology and the power of play

In a world of screens and distractions, Charles Merritt loves that this heartfelt sequel invites Christian families to rediscover the power of imagination, friendship, and faith that endures, even when childhood feels like it’s fading fast

Film: Toy Story 5

Age rating: PG

Runtime: 102 minutes

See this if you liked: Toy Story

Synopsis:

When tech invades Bonnie’s home, Jessie is determined to prove that toys still have a place in a child’s life.

Review:

Toy Story is one of my favourite film franchises of all time. I grew up with it as a child and shed so many tears at the end of Toy Story 3 (I still do now). Toy Story 4 was frustratingly disappointing for me and, as a result, I was feeling apprehensive about this fifth addition to the series.

I’m glad to report that Toy Story 5 is a LOT better than Toy Story 4, even if it’s not as good as the original trilogy.

In this movie, we find a slightly older Bonnie who is still struggling to make friends (plastic sporks and knives aside). In a search for new friends, Jessie stumbles across a group of abandoned toys that explain in a comically dystopian manner that tech has invaded the lives of all the children in the neighbourhood.

Unfortunately, Bonnie’s parents are also concerned about Bonnie’s lack of friends and decide that a Lilypad (think a kid’s version of an iPad) might be a good way for her to connect with other children her age.

The writing is sharp for this latest Toy Story adventure, from its jokes about tech to its pop culture references

The toys are immediately replaced with the bright and shiny new ‘toy’ on the block. Bonnie becomes addicted to her Lilypad almost immediately. Even worse for the OG gang of toys is that Lilypad is not the friendliest device when humans are not around, dismissing Bonnie’s toys as old and irrelevant. Jessie becomes furious and laments that she wants the best for Bonnie. Lilypad echoes Jessie’s sentiments and adds Bonnie to a ……