Toy Story 5 Didn’t Need Woody

We all love Tom Hanks, and Woody has been the central character of each Toy Story installment thus far. But this is Toy Story 5 we’re talking about. We are long past the need for integrity.

I actually loved Toy Story 5. I laughed and I cried. I loved Jessie’s arc, and the new additions to the toy crew. I found Bonnie’s friendship struggles relatable, and was moved to tears when she met her kindred spirit in Blaze. And I loved Blaze’s character, and ALL THE HORSES. There were so many charming animals in this installment that I will overlook most other flaws. The depiction of modern life was accurate and every scene was so imbued with that idyllic Toy Story color palette that it was a sheer delight to watch. My kids loved it, too. I want to watch it again.

But Woody did not need to be there. I hate to even say it, but his presence accomplished nothing, and actually took away from Buzz’s arc. It almost seemed like a perfunctory addition. As if the powers that be determined that it’s a Toy Story movie and by golly, Woody needs to be in it, even though he was completely written out of the franchise in Toy Story 4.

When we last left him in that carnival, he was happy. He had found peace and purpose with Bo. And suddenly we find out he has a walkie talkie that he uses to communicate with Jessie? In secret? How?? What?? And then he just shows up? I thought he was hundreds of miles away? I’m sorry, that whole thing really bothered me.

And when he does show up, all he does is have a petty fight with Buzz over who is Jessie’s deputy. Like, I thought we were past this…?

My husband found the whole movie to be “busy.” Too many characters, too many plot threads, too many sets, too many locations. And while I enjoyed the movie from end to end, I have to agree. I thought Jessie, voiced by Joan Cusack, did a fine job carrying the movie. I loved exploring her past, and I thought it resolved in a moving, satisfying way. We could have cut out Woody and lost nothing. Maybe Woody’s absence could have pushed Jessie to remember what she had learned from him in Toy Story 2 — “I can’t stop Andy from growing up, but I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

I’m not a screenwriter, and I love Woody, but he shouldn’t have been there.

Now, go see the movie, because it is fantastic.