Toy Story 5’s New Villain Has Fans Worried: Is the Hype Gone for Good?

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Alright…we have to talk about Pixar because I’ve had it up to here with defending them.

Lowering my fingers, I’ve been a staunch advocate of Pixar in recent times. Although I believe we’re not currently in the golden age of Pixar films and may not be for a while, there have still been some fantastic productions. For instance, “Luca” was an absolute blast to watch. I spent a good deal of time discussing “Inside Out 2” and its portrayal of anxiety, feeling that it resonated deeply with my personal experiences. Even the small film titled “Elio” is quite enjoyable.

As a lifelong admirer of Pixar’s enchanting storytelling, I find myself troubled by the forthcoming Toy Story 5. There’s one particular aspect that’s dampened my excitement, and I feel it’s important to voice my concerns. The buzz surrounding the film has lost some of its initial luster, leaving me questioning whether it will meet the high standards set by its predecessors.

Like Any Pixar Fan, The Idea Of Another Toy Story Is Always Fun

As a cinephile with a soft spot for animated masterpieces, I’ve come across varying degrees of Pixar enthusiasts. Some are drawn to the charm of their early creations like “A Bug’s Life,” “Monsters Inc.,” and “Finding Nemo.” Others, myself included, find themselves captivated by the brilliance of their later productions such as “Up,” “Wall-E,” “Inside Out,” or “Coco.” I’ve encountered a few who even prefer some of their more recent offerings from the 2010s, like “Brave” and “Luca,” over the classics (though they are indeed hard to outshine).

Without a doubt, everyone who follows Pixar’s work agrees that the Toy Story movies invariably find a place among their preferred Pixar films, regardless of the situation.

The original “Toy Story” marked the beginning of something special. Many believe that “Toy Story 2” was a flawless sequel. “Toy Story 3” served as a magnificent finale to a trio of movies that significantly impacted a generation. On the other hand, while “Toy Story 4” wasn’t the strongest in the series, I can’t deny it was enjoyable. Some argue that the Toy Story saga should have ended with the third film, but I won’t claim it wasn’t worth watching; instead, I found satisfaction in its conclusion.

And then Toy Story 5 was announced.

Enthusiasm is usually high among Pixar enthusiasts when they learn about a fresh Toy Story movie, but for many, it was guarded anticipation this time around. While Toy Story is fantastic, it’s common for franchises to see a decline in quality as more films are produced. Given that some of Pixar’s recent releases haven’t fared so well critically, it’s not surprising to feel a bit apprehensive about this trend.

Every time a new Pixar movie comes out, I make it a point to watch it, and that’s exactly what I plan to do with the upcoming film. Yet, some recent news about the villain in the movie has been shared, and to be honest, I don’t share the same enthusiasm for this character.

But I’m Not A Huge Fan Of The Villain Of The Story

If you haven’t heard the news yet, the new villain of Toy Story 5 is going to be…a tablet.

At the Disney exhibition during the Annecy International Animation Film Festival held in France last June 2025, a surprising announcement was made. The storyline suggests that Bonnie’s tablet possesses an unusual perspective on what activities are best for her, and it believes that her traditional toys like Buzz, Jessie, and Bullseye should be stored away in the closet because they no longer serve their intended purpose as playthings.

…huh?

I don’t personally have any kids, but I’m close with many younger relatives and acquaintances who have little ones. In today’s world, it’s common for children to play with both traditional toys and tablets. It seems that the modern age has made this a norm rather than an exception. As much as I observe, it’s hard to imagine kids giving up their toys in favor of tablets anytime soon.

Sure thing, let me rephrase that for you: Of course, the idea is innovative and intriguing, particularly for a film like Toy Story, which has been entertaining us since the 1990s. It offers an excellent opportunity to demonstrate advancements in technology and its influence on young minds. However, one may wonder if this modernization is fitting for a Toy Story movie?

The Movie Feels Like It’s Going To Act As If Technology Is The Total Enemy Of Playtime

I won’t keep insisting that children’s movies need deeper themes, as many Pixar films have demonstrated. I’ve previously analyzed how movies like “Coco” delve into culture and death in a personal way for me, and its significance to my family. Similarly, “Inside Out 2” handles anxiety and fear of not measuring up when growing up exceptionally well. There are valuable lessons to be learned from these films.

Frankly, I don’t see the necessity of a Toy Story movie delving into a lengthy discussion about technology’s impact on children, considering I’m already bombarded with such topics in the news. It wasn’t necessary for this film, more than any other, to tackle that subject matter.

Speaking as a Gen Z individual, if anyone wants to discuss how technology may have negatively impacted our generation and those following, it would be us and those who grew up immersed in internet connectivity at home – a luxury that was foreign to previous generations. Yet, we’re not just tethered to screens; we’re still engaging in playtime activities, as are the younger ones coming after us.

I have a feeling that things will play out with Bonnie managing to dispose of the tablet, but that seems unreasonable since they’ve become an integral part of our existence. Why bother creating a movie where the tablet is portrayed negatively when we should instead be brainstorming ways to distribute it responsibly, making it less addictive?

Also, How Does A Tablet Come To Life?

This is just a minor thing, but how the heck is that tablet even alive?

It’s not appropriate to mention Forky right now, as he was specifically invented by Bonnie’s imagination and given life as a toy. On the other hand, a tablet is quite different – even though a chair had a face in “Toy Story 4”, it’s something she plays with, but I don’t think you play pretend with a tablet. It’s not the same kind of interaction.

Apologies, yet I must clarify that although tablets can be entertaining, none have achieved the sense of awareness found in toys such as teddy bears, action figures, or dolls like a princess one. It’s not plausible for a tablet to be alive.

As a movie enthusiast, I find myself pondering: Could it be that everything in this world possesses consciousness? Is every object sentient and capable of movement? It seems Toy Story might be stretching the boundaries of logic a bit too far.

I Worry That Toy Story 5 Might Not Be The Same Kind Of Toy Story We All Know And Love

Are you wondering if I’m worried about this fresh detail? Indeed, I am. And will I be heading to catch the latest Toy Story 5 when it’s released? Absolutely. Despite my occasional grumbling, I must admit that I have a soft spot for these films and can’t resist watching them.

A slightly negative thought crosses my mind: This movie might be the one that undermines the franchise’s success, not in terms of its box office performance, which I believe will be strong, but rather due to the quality of its storyline.

I find it worrisome having such a villain ahead, considering what we might be witnessing in the upcoming years. It remains uncertain whether it will regain the same level of acclaim that it previously had.

It won’t be the familiar feeling of Toy Story, and truthfully, this realization brings a sense of melancholy. However, it seems like another exciting Pixar production on the horizon, yet I can’t help but express a desire for more of the beloved character, Lotso.

Perhaps it’s high time for another viewing of Toy Story or even a Pixar movie marathon to reignite my excitement for the upcoming film.

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2025-06-22 21:08