Toy Story 4 Failed its Characters

Name: Toy Story 4 Failed its Characters
Uploaded: 2021-10-22T10:28:11.000Z
Duration: 4 h 44 min 17 s

Toy Story Tunes: Hawaiian Vacation

This transcript discusses the six-minute short film "Toy Story Tunes: Hawaiian Vacation" that was released in 2011 as a lead-in to "Cars 2". The short takes place after the events of "Toy Story 3" and features Ken and Barbie trying to go on vacation with Bonnie's family.

Ken and Barbie's Plan

Ken and Barbie steal away in Bonnie's school bag, hoping to come with her and her family on an Hawaiian vacation.

They end up stuck in Bonnie's room, where they are met by Woody and the gang who are making plans to play with themselves or Bonnie.

Ken is upset because he had planned a full retreat for him and Barbie that would have ended with their first kiss.

Woody, Buzz, and Jesse Help Out

Woody, Buzz, and Jesse decide to help their friends put together a Hawaii-themed home adventure for the two.

The pair are totally into it and accommodates in their first kiss.

Every single character has something to do in this short film. It reminds us of the connection this group has; they're a family right? They stick together.

Future of Toy Story

This section discusses the future of Toy Story after "Toy Story 3" was released.

Short Films

Alongside "Toy Story Tunes: Hawaiian Vacation", there were other cute little adventure serials like "Toy Story of Terra" and "Toy Story That Time Forgot".

These shorts kept the toys where they were at the end of "Toy Story 3" character-wise.

If Pixar wanted to make another feature, it would have to be new characters with a new story or the gang passing on the torch to a new group of characters.

Closing the Final Chapter

"Toy Story 3" brought about the end of the story, wrapping things up with a satisfying and sensible conclusion.

The old owner grew them said his goodbyes and gave them to somebody who'll keep them safe.

Tears were shared, laughs had, decades-spanning stories that took us from the first fully CGI animated film in 1995 to 2011 to close the final chapter.

Toy Story 4

This section discusses "Toy Story 4", which was released eight years after "Toy Story 3".

Poor Writing

The writing in "Toy Story 4" is exceptionally poor. It contradicts the character's motivations from the previous three films as well as being inconsistent in this film alone more than ever before.

The rules to this universe are broken, and the logic within this world is exhausting.

Admittedly, the first three films had their issues with world-building and logic but not to this degree.

Subjective vs Objective Quality

There's a difference between liking or disliking something and whether something is of good quality.

There are films that I like that are [ __ ] and I will happily admit it.

There are films that I don't like that are absolutely well-made.

Objective vs Subjective

The speaker discusses the difference between objective and subjective opinions when it comes to reviewing films. They explain that while they will try to keep their takes objective, there will still be some subjectivity in their review.

Objective vs Subjective

The speaker explains that objective opinions are based on issues with the film, while subjective opinions are based on personal feelings towards the film.

The speaker acknowledges that their review may have some subjectivity, but they will try to keep it as objective as possible.

The speaker argues that just because a film is made for kids doesn't mean it can't be great or have good writing. They mention several examples of high-quality kids' movies.

The speaker explains that writers of children's movies need to be careful about what they present in terms of content and messaging since these films are being watched by children.

Toy Story 4 Character Writing

In this section, the speaker discusses how Toy Story 4 failed its characters due to poor character writing. They focus on returning characters rather than new ones.

Mr. Potato Head and Friends

The speaker talks about how Mr. Potato Head was portrayed as a villain in the first scene of Toy Story 1 and was set up as Woody's biggest foil behind Buzz.

Mr. Potato Head displays similar behaviors and attitudes towards Woody and general toy hood that would appear with Lots-o'-Huggin' Bear and Stinky Pete later on.

Mr. Potato Head mocks Woody's moving buddy plan, showing his antagonism towards him.

This is only a partial summary of the transcript.

Mr. Potato Head's Character Arc

This section discusses the character arc of Mr. Potato Head throughout the Toy Story franchise.

Envy and Distrust of Woody

Mr. Potato Head is envious of Woody's position as Andy's favorite toy, leading to a rivalry between them.

He doesn't agree with Woody and doesn't trust him, which is proven right after Buzz is knocked out of the window.

Attempted Leadership and Redemption

Mr. Potato Head tries to enact some sort of leadership when Woody comes back to rescue Buzz with RC from the moving van, but realizes he overstepped his mistrust in Woody and attempts to rescue him in the next film as penance for his actions.

By the end of Toy Story 2, he has attained some sort of redemption by rescuing the three little green men from the Pizza Planet Toyota truck and adopting them as his own children at Mrs. Potato Head's behest.

Regress into Cynicism and Sunny Side Escape

In Toy Story 3, Mr. Potato Head wants to leave Andy's room for Sunnyside Daycare due to being jaded from not being played with, causing him to regress into his cynical ways again.

After it's revealed that Sunnyside Daycare isn't all it's cracked up to be and that Andy was actually putting the toys in the attic, he plays an integral part in the daycare escape using his unique abilities of detach and a sarcastic personality.

Mrs. Potato Head's Role

This section discusses the role of Mrs. Potato Head throughout the Toy Story franchise.

Supporting Role in First Two Films

In the first two films, Mrs. Potato Head has a supporting role, making sure that Mr. Potato Head is well-resourced for the journey and giving him words of encouragement.

She adopts the three green men at the end of Toy Story 2.

Integral Part in Third Film

In Toy Story 3, her missing eye plays an integral part in revealing information to our main characters, shifting character motivations and revealing that Andy was putting the toys in the attic.

She helps in the Sunnyside escape and is terrified of losing her babies when they're taken away by trash compactors.

The Little Green Men's Adoption Arc

This section discusses the adoption arc of the little green men throughout the Toy Story franchise.

Annoyance to Acceptance

In Toy Story 2, Mr. Potato Head seemed somewhat annoyed at adopting the three little green men but comes around a bit.

At the end of Toy Story 3, after all toys escape from incinerator, they embrace as a family.

The Fate of Toys That Don't Get Chosen

The speaker ponders what happens to toys that are not chosen by the claw machine and whether they see themselves as unworthy.

Toys that are not chosen by the claw machine may not know they are toys and may feel unworthy.

The speaker wonders if these toys become outcasts or shunned by the community.

The Little Green Men

The speaker discusses the role of the little green men in Toy Story 2 and 3.

Role in Toy Story 2

Buzz Lightyear and his gang encounter three aliens after hijacking a pizza planet truck to rescue Woody, Jesse, and Bullseye.

The little green men help get the car moving and are rescued from falling out of the car by Mr. Potato Head.

They join Andy's toys after this.

Role in Toy Story 3

The little green men tag along with Mom and Dad.

One of them gets their legs stuck in a bin wheeler, allowing Lotso to pull Woody into the dumpster with it.

They go after Mecca Claw but are seemingly swept away by a giant wall-e. However, they were able to escape again somehow.

They operate the claw and save all their friends before placing them back safely on the ground.

Don Rickles' Legacy as Mr. Potato Head

The speaker discusses how Don Rickles' death affected the future of Mr. Potato Head's character in Toy Story 4.

Don Rickles passed away before the production of Toy Story 4, leaving the future of Mr. Potato Head uncertain.

The logical thing to do would be to recast quietly and respectfully, but they used archived lines from the first three films and other Toy Story-related media instead.

Every line of dialogue from Mr. Potato Head in this movie comes from archived lines, making his input on the plot minimal at best.

The speaker questions whether this treatment is respectful to Don Rickles or the character.

Mr. Potato Head's Lack of Involvement in Toy Story 4

The speaker discusses how Mr. Potato Head's lack of involvement in Toy Story 4 does not align with his character.

Mr. Potato Head only has seven jarring non-contextualized lines and a laugh in Toy Story 4.

This feels less respectful than what they did with Carrie Fisher.

The speaker questions why an overly opinionated spud like Mr. Potato Head wouldn't have something to say about Woody's actions or express concern for Forky or Woody going missing.

It doesn't make sense for this character to suddenly become passive and not express his opinions as he did in previous films.

Critique of Toy Story 4

The speaker critiques various aspects of the movie Toy Story 4, including the lack of character development for Mrs. Potato Head and the little green aliens, as well as inconsistencies in the plot.

Lack of Character Development

Mrs. Potato Head is pushed to the side and given nothing to do throughout most of the movie.

The little green aliens are adopted into Bonnie's family but don't appear for the rest of the film, making their comeback feel rushed and last minute.

Inconsistencies in Plot

The GPS system in the car is able to drive without hands on the steering wheel and doesn't recognize that a plush unicorn is pulling on the accelerator.

The plan to get Woody back relies on Bonnie's parents being ungodly stupid while endangering everyone around them.

Other Critiques

Playtime was a misfire and lacked an orderly transition.

The writers forgot about certain characters from previous films, such as Mrs. Potato Head and the little green aliens, making their appearances feel forced or forgotten altogether.

Supporting Characters in Toy Story

This transcript discusses the supporting characters in the Toy Story franchise and their roles in the films.

Slinky Dog

Slinky is always standing up for Woody, even when others doubt him.

He feels guilty for not being able to save Woody and Buzz at the end of the first film.

Slinky is a loyal friend to Woody, siding with him even when others accuse him of pushing Buzz out the window.

He has a significant role in all three films, helping the toys overcome various obstacles.

Rex

Rex is neurotic but well-meaning and indecisive.

His main struggle in the first two films is overcoming his fears.

In Toy Story 2, he becomes a pro gamer and helps rescue Woody from Al's apartment.

In Toy Story 3, he joins his friends' dissatisfaction with being neglected by Andy.

Other Supporting Characters

Hamm is a sarcastic piggy bank who often provides comic relief.

Mr. Potato Head is initially antagonistic towards Woody but eventually becomes one of his closest allies.

Bo Peep serves as Woody's love interest and plays an important role in Toy Story 4.

Jessie is introduced in Toy Story 2 as a cowgirl toy who was once loved by her owner but later abandoned. She struggles with abandonment issues throughout the series.

Overall, these supporting characters play crucial roles in helping Woody and Buzz navigate their adventures throughout the franchise.

The Three Amigos in Toy Story

This section discusses the role of the three amigos in Toy Story 4 and their lack of involvement in the main plot.

Lack of Involvement

The intro scene where all the toys help rescue RC has no bearing on the rest of the story.

Slinky, Hamm, and Rex are present but do not take any action or have any impact on the plot.

The introduction of Bonnie's toys from Toy Story 3 serves no purpose beyond some fun character interactions.

Missing Chuckles and Totoro

Chuckles, who played an integral role in Toy Story 3, does not make an appearance or even get acknowledged in Toy Story 4.

A plush toy of Totoro from My Neighbor Totoro appears briefly in Toy Story 3 but is absent from Toy Story 4 due to licensing issues.

Honoring Characters in Toy Story Franchise

This section discusses how characters from previous films are treated in Toy Story 4.

Insulting Buzz's Intelligence

Buzz's intelligence is insulted when he is portrayed as a clueless character who doesn't understand basic concepts like inner voice and buttons.

Destroying Woody's Character

Woody's character is destroyed when he abandons his friends for Bo Peep and becomes selfish and unrecognizable compared to his previous portrayals.

Lack of Acknowledgement for Previous Characters

Chuckles, who played an integral role in Toy Story 3, does not make an appearance or even get acknowledged in Toy Story 4.

The absence of Totoro from Toy Story 4 is due to licensing issues and the lack of effort to secure the rights.

The Importance of Character Inclusion and Progression in Toy Story Franchise

The speaker discusses the importance of character inclusion and progression in the Toy Story franchise, highlighting how some characters were sidelined in Toy Story 4.

Sidelining Old Characters

After Woody escapes Sunnyside for the first time and ends up in Bonnie's room by mistake, we see the Peas-in-a-Pod again only during the end credits of Toy Story 3.

Many forgotten characters like Chuckles, Totoro, etc. are not included in the rest of the movie.

This makes Toy Story 4 feel cut off and straight to DVD with tiny stakes.

New characters like Ducky and Bunny have a purpose while old ones are passive.

Characters Should Not Be Sidelined

Just because a character has completed their major arc within a story doesn't mean that they stop becoming a character.

Han Solo's inclusion in Return of Jedi doesn't contradict his previously established character even though his major arc was completed earlier.

Buzz Lightyear doesn't really have an arc per se but he has persistence which is completely within his character.

Importance of Including All Characters

It makes sense to send only select few toys with Buzz while others stay at home but Bonnie's toys' lack of action flies in the face of previous films.

Bringing old characters to forefront would not be shoehorned as it shows that these characters care about each other.

Every other character was brought onto the RV trip to make the goodbye at the end more emotional.

Toy Story 4: Analysis of Bonnie's Toys

In this section, the speaker discusses the roles of minor and supporting characters in Toy Story 4, as well as the important toys in Bonnie's collection.

Roles of Minor and Supporting Characters

The minor characters are essentially cut from the Toy Story info.

The supporting characters become single emotions or emitting tools for the plot.

The main characters are murdered right in front of us like celebrating happy feel-good fun times.

Important Toys in Bonnie's Collection

Dolly

Set up as the de facto leader to the bony tribe of sorts.

Polite and helpful, welcoming Woody when she believes him to be Bonnie's new toy.

Encourages him to get comfortable even change his name if he'd like.

Trixie

The techwiz triceratops who helps Woody find a route back to Andy's house while Woody is using the computer.

Gets a message from a dinosaur down the street, getting all shy behind Chuckles.

Has the most input on the plot and arguably displays the most diverse character traits.

Mr. Pricklepants

A fun and cute concept to have a toy who's obsessed with portraying their character and playtime.

Tells Woody about the true nature of daycare and introduces him to Chuckles.

Wants everyone to be quiet and still until Bonnie returns from the bathroom to resume playtime.

Buttercup

Makes a joke about Woody not being able to escape Bonnie.

Essentially, he is the ham of this particular group.

Conclusion

Bonnie's toys that actually return have less screen time after our nostalgia teats are thoroughly milked with that opening.

Character Dynamics and Timeline

In this section, the speaker discusses the character dynamics between Andy's and Bonnie's toys and the timeline of events in the Toy Story franchise.

Timeline

The speaker notes that there is no clear reference for the time passed since Toy Story 3, making it difficult to gauge the character dynamics between Andy's and Bonnie's toys.

The closest thing we get is a reference to Woody being benched from playtime three times in one week, but this doesn't give us a clear idea of how much time has passed.

The speaker notes that there was a good consistent time frame between Toy Story 1, 2, and 3 that lines up roughly with each time they were released.

Character Dynamics

Bonnie is shown to care about her toys when the plot wants her to. She takes a particular liking to Woody even going so far as to refer to him as her cowboy.

The speaker questions why Bonnie doesn't ask how Woody got back but does not have any qualms about replacing him. However, we are shown in Toy Story 4 that she is adamant about retrieving Forky because he is irreplaceable.

Andy's Personality

In this section, the speaker discusses Andy's personality throughout the Toy Story franchise.

Despite knowing Andy for longer than Bonnie, he doesn't have too much personality beyond imagination excitement grief for lost things edge of 70. He's kind of generic - a bit of an everyman.

Andy and Bonnie's Relationship

This section discusses the relationship between Andy and Bonnie, as well as Woody's willingness to move on.

Andy's Love for His Toys

Despite leaving his toys behind, it is clear that Andy still cares for them deeply.

The movie shows that Woody was ready to move on, but it was Andy who was holding him back.

Woody's willingness to go with the other toys demonstrates his readiness to let go.

Bonnie's Character Development

Bonnie is shown to have a solid character in Toy Story 4, particularly in her anxiety on the first day of kindergarten.

Making Forky with Woody's help showcases both Woody's determination to care for his kid and Bonnie's creativity and need for friendship.

Criticisms of Bonnie's Characterization

This section critiques how Bonnie is portrayed in Toy Story 4.

Inconsistencies in Characterization

Despite caring for her toys equally in other media, Bonnie ignores most of them in this movie.

Woody is left on the sideline during playtime, emphasizing that he is no longer the favorite toy.

Retconning of Character Development

The filmmakers made a major retcon by making Bonnie unlikable when she got Forky.

The meme about Andy asking what happened to Woody highlights the lack of indication that Woody would be miserable after Toy Story 3.

Depressing Ending

The ending of Toy Story 4 is more depressing than that of Toy Story 3, as Bonnie will likely ignore most of her toys upon returning home.

English Correction about Woody and Introduction to Jessie

This section corrects a previous statement about Woody not being played with by Bonnie. It also introduces Jessie, a character from the second Toy Story movie.

Correction About Woody

Bonnie actually plays with Woody in a montage while on her way to the carnival.

This shows that Woody was still being played with shortly before he left his friends and owner.

Introduction to Jessie

Jessie is introduced in the second Toy Story movie as part of a lineup of toys from Woody's Roundup, a TV show that inspired the creation of the Woody toy.

In the TV show, Jessie was characterized by her yodeling and love for animals.

She eagerly welcomes Woody to Al's apartment and is excited about going to the museum where she has been promised eternal appreciation and care by Stinky Pete, another toy from Woody's Roundup.

Initially, it seems like Jessie might be an antagonist because she clashes with Woody over his desire to return to Andy. However, it is later revealed that her annoyance with him comes from abandonment issues following her previous owner getting rid of her.

English Jesse's Role in Toy Story 3

This section discusses how Jessie's character develops throughout the Toy Story movies.

In Toy Story 3, Jessie realizes that it has come full circle with Andy just like it did with Emily, her previous owner who got rid of her.

She sees Woody as misguided in denial about the whole situation and doesn't believe him when he tells her that Andy's mom mistook them for trash.

Jessie goes along with the Sunny Side idea, seeing Woody as naive about the daycare. There is a confrontation between her and Woody before they realize that Sunny Side is terrible.

Jessie stands up to Lotso, calling him a liar and a bully. She reconciles with Woody and becomes an equal member of the team.

Bullseye and Jessie in Toy Story Franchise

This section discusses the characters of Bullseye and Jessie in the Toy Story franchise, their roles, character arcs, and how they were portrayed in Toy Story 4.

Bullseye's Role

Bullseye is a loyal and loving character who serves as a cute sidekick to the gang.

He helps move the prospector around and catches up to planes going hundreds of kilometers along a tarmac because it's about to take off.

In Toy Story 3, he tries to get Woody to stay but fails. However, he still siphons empathy out of Woody when he has his character lapse.

He helps with the escape from Sunnyside and ends up with the rest of the gang at Bonnie's.

Jessie's Character Arc

In Toy Story 4, Bullseye is completely sidelined while Jessie is given a weird undercooked arc where Bonnie gives her Woody's badge during playtime as some sort of indication that she's going to be the new leader.

Dolly is established as the leader at the start of the film, and Buzz is shown taking action to find Woody before anyone else does.

The closest thing Jessie has in leadership in this film is her plan to put holes in the tires of RV which does give toys time but it's jumbled up in this mess of unclear leadership.

At the end of Toy Story 4 when Woody hands down his badge to Jessie, it feels hollow since there was no indication that she would be a new leader.

Jessie's resourcefulness and passion are wasted on a prank and a bad pun, which is an absolute waste of quite possibly the best character in this entire franchise.

Jessie's Characterization

Jessie should be the most against Woody leaving at the end since she has shown strong will from Toy Story 2 and determination to achieve her goals in Toy Story 3.

She should be dragging his ass off that carousel and throwing him down the RV hatch of the roof for being a silly selfish prick as if she'd be okay with him leaving with no context to his journey in the film other than he didn't get played with three times in one week.

It is also suggested that Jessie had some reservations about going on to Andy after Emily.

The Lack of Character Development in Toy Story 4

In this section, the speaker discusses the lack of character development in Toy Story 4 and how it would have been great to see more interaction between characters.

Lack of Interaction Between Characters

None of the characters seem to remember that there's over a decade of history here unless it comes time to make fun of Jesse or Buzz's character development.

It would have been great to at least have a scene between Jesse and Woody where they just talk.

Woody and Jessie's Relationship

Imagine Woody and Jessie sitting down for a heart-to-heart about things.

Jessie tells Woody that she knows that Bonnie isn't Andy, but she is loved by her and all their friends and family.

The love between Woody and Bo was present in all three movies.

Bo Peep's Role in Toy Story 1, 2, and 3

In this section, the speaker talks about Bo Peep's role in Toy Story 1, 2, and 3.

Bo Peep's Role in Toy Story 1

She has some words of comfort to give Woody regarding his jealousy of Andy favoring Buzz.

She tries to stop the argument between Woody and the toys after Buzz is knocked out the window.

Bo Peep's Role in Toy Story 2

She helps Woody calm down at the start of the film as he grows increasingly anxious about having lost his hat.

She is seen standing side by side with Woody.

Bo Peep's Role in Toy Story 3

She is mentioned once by name in the third film as Woody acknowledges the friends that they've lost between the two movies.

Rex says her name right to Woody's face because he doesn't know how to read a room.

Analysis of Bo Peep's Character in Toy Story 4

The speaker analyzes the character of Bo Peep in Toy Story 4, discussing her development and inconsistencies.

Bo Peep's Development

Bo Peep is portrayed as a resourceful, thrill-seeking adventurer.

Her arm breaks off while helping Woody, but she laughs it off and tapes it back together.

She loses her fingers, which could have been an interesting character moment.

A prologue flashes back to a scene after Toy Story 2 where Andy's mom gives away Bo Peep.

Inconsistencies with Bo Peep's Character

Beau has an active role in many plans throughout the Toy Story franchise.

Woody fails to get her out of the box and come back to Andy's room.

It is unclear why Andy would give away Beau if she was such an important toy to him.

There is no evidence that Molly had any particular fondness for Beau.

The only way to look past this inconsistency is by imagining a scene where Andy and his mom talk about giving Beau away.

Conclusion

The setup for Bo Peep prior to the main events of Toy Story 4 does not do much for her character development.

Woody and Bo Peep's Relationship

The scene tries to convince the audience that Woody cares for Bo Peep, but her execution in Toy Story 4 is clunky. Bo is integral to the plot and has a lot of screen time, but her values and motivations are inconsistent.

Bo's Relevancy to the Plot

Bo helps Woody find Forky and sets up most of the plans for rescue and escape.

She has connections with multiple new characters that continue the main plot thread.

Inconsistencies in Bo's Characterization

After losing her sheep during their first rescue attempt, she gets angry at Woody for trying to help.

During an argument after a failed rescue attempt, she implies that Woody is selfish for wanting to save Forky.

She tells Woody there are plenty of kids out there he can get validation from even easier than Bonnie.

Woody's Loyalty

Bo questions Woody's loyalty to Bonnie, leading to an emotionally manipulative line from Woody about how saving toys is all he has left.

Argument Between Woody and Bo

After a failed rescue attempt, Bo questions why they should keep trying to save Forky when so many other toys are injured.

She implies that Woody is only doing this for validation from Bonnie.

This leads to an emotionally manipulative line from Woody about how saving toys is all he has left.

Woody and Bo Peep's Character Development

This section discusses the character development of Woody and Bo Peep throughout the Toy Story franchise.

Woody's Comfort in Schedule and Status Quo

Woody finds comfort in schedule and status quo.

He prioritizes his meetings at the start of Toy Story, his anxiety about not finding his hat, and keeping all toys accounted for while on cowboy camp.

In Toy Story 2, he insists that the toys stay together initially for Andy.

In Toy Story 3, he chooses to stay with Andy.

Bo Peep's Influence on Woody

Bo Peep used to remind Woody why he found loyalty important but now gaslights him for having a sense of loyalty.

She puts him on blast for having a conscience.

Despite this, she later acknowledges that Woody only ever does what is right by his kid.

Muddy Puddle of Character Motivation

The argument between Woody and Bo Peep creates a rift in their relationship.

When tested at the end, Woody chooses Bo Peep over doing what is right by his kid.

This creates a muddy puddle of character motivation where nothing connects one action to another.

Lamp Life Short Film

Lamp Life short film shows what Bo Peep was up to between leaving Andy's room and being reunited with Woody in Toy Story 4.

It explains how she became a lost toy but doesn't do a fantastic job of explaining why she wants to be one.

Buzz Lightyear: The Most Iconic Character

This section discusses Buzz Lightyear as the most iconic character in the Toy Story franchise.

Buzz Lightyear's Heroism

Buzz Lightyear is the most iconic character in the franchise.

He offers his safety to save Combat Carl, ensures his friends are safe, gives haircuts, encourages physical fitness and apologizes for false proclamations of medical expertise.

Buzz Lightyear's Conscience

Buzz Lightyear learns what a conscience is and that he should listen to it.

His main arc in Toy Story 4 is learning this lesson.

Buzz Lightyear's Intelligence

In this section, the speaker discusses how Buzz Lightyear's intelligence is portrayed in Toy Story 4 and argues that it is inconsistent with his previous characterization.

Lack of Self-Awareness

The speaker argues that Buzz lacks self-awareness rather than basic intelligence.

Buzz has never heard of an inner turmoil or an inner conflict, which contradicts his ideology as a space ranger.

The concept of a conscience is intrinsic to Buzz's character, and he has been shown to want to help toys in distress.

Sudden Drop in Intelligence

The speaker refutes the idea that Buzz's TV job caused a sudden drop in intelligence.

There is no evidence in the previous films to suggest that Buzz's abilities have been affected by the TV smash.

None of the toys acknowledge Buzz's newfound dumbness, and it is not referenced as a potential cause of his sudden drop in intelligence.

Inconsistencies in Characterization

The speaker points out inconsistencies in how Buzz is portrayed throughout Toy Story 4.

When Woody and Forky are confirmed missing, Buzz does not make a plan but instead stumbles over his words.

Instead of sending out a group to look for Woody and Forky while others stay behind to keep watch and stall Bonnie's family, Buzz starts pushing on his buttons for inspiration.

Enzo jumps out of the RV with no explanation after telling them "no time to explain let's move" and proceeds to do so for every single decision in the film.

Buzz presses a button on his chest that tells him to look up, and he finds Woody by chance.

Lack of Resourcefulness

The speaker argues that it would have been better to see Buzz get resourceful and come up with a plan like the leader he is.

Instead, the antique store lady drops the key right in front of them because they happen to be standing where she usually stores it.

The speaker compares Buzz's lack of resourcefulness in Toy Story 4 to how he was able to navigate through using the zip line and trampoline in Toy Story 2.

Buzz's Competency Ruined by Buttons

The addition of buttons to Buzz's character in Toy Story 4 ruins his emotional stakes and competency.

Buzz's Inability to Act Without Button Prompts

The buttons added to Buzz's character in Toy Story 4 ruin his competency.

Buzz resorts to button mashing when he can't figure out whether to leave Woody or go after him, ruining the emotional stakes of the scene.

Buzz's Loyalty to Woody

In previous movies, Buzz would not have left Woody behind just because a button told him to.

Buzz follows the same rhetoric of "no toy left behind" and would have gone after Woody instead of sending him into danger.

Bonnie Forgets Her Backpack

The writing in Toy Story 4 is criticized for its handling of Bonnie forgetting her backpack and how it relates to the toys' sentience.

Inconceivable Writing

Bonnie forgets her backpack in the antique store, but neither she nor her mom hear Buzz calling out about it from inside a cupboard.

This moment is an example of objectively terrible writing that fails to convince viewers.

Despite being loud enough to cause a clear booming echo in the cupboard, neither Bonnie nor her mom seem to hear Buzz calling out about the backpack.

Proof of Toy Sentience

This scene is damning proof of toy sentience in the franchise as no human beings seem capable of hearing them speak.

Buzz's Character Arc

The speaker discusses the flaws in Buzz Lightyear's character arc in Toy Story 4.

Buzz's Inner Voice

The speaker criticizes the film for insulting the intelligence of children and older audience members by portraying a nonsensical character arc for Buzz.

The speaker suggests that having Buzz speak through his voice box, as he did in Toy Story 1, would have been a better alternative to the flawed inner voice concept.

The speaker questions how Buzz suddenly learned about conscience and inner voice after already demonstrating an understanding of these concepts in previous films.

Letting Woody Go

The speaker criticizes the decision to let Woody go because it does not make sense that Bonnie would not wonder where her cowboy has gone.

The speaker points out that Woody was previously praised by Bonnie's family and wonders why none of them acknowledge his departure.

Buzz's Demented Arc

The speaker describes Buzz's character arc as demented and questions why he needed to learn about right and wrong on a subconscious level when he already demonstrated an understanding of these concepts in previous films.

The speaker suggests what Buzz's inner monologue should have been instead, emphasizing the importance of family and home.

Woody as a Lost Toy

The speaker questions how long Woody has been lost since he seemed content with his life at the end of Toy Story 3.

The speaker emphasizes that Woody had a clear-cut character study in the first three films, making his desire for freedom seem unnecessary.

English Woody's Character Development

This section discusses the character development of Woody throughout the Toy Story franchise.

Woody's Role in the Toy Story Franchise

Sheriff Woody is the main character of the Toy Story franchise.

Throughout each film, his jealousy and misbehavior towards Buzz Lightyear took center stage in the first film, while his fear of being outgrown and history as a toy were explored in the second film.

In the third film, he becomes a leader who values "no toy left behind" and rescues many toys throughout all three films.

The Ending of Toy Story 4

The ending of Toy Story 4 was bittersweet as Woody realized he had to let Bo go and that he wasn't changing as a character.

Bo saw a child she connected with and wanted to be with again, while Woody realized he needed to move on from his past life as Andy's toy.

Criticisms of Toy Story 4's Writing

Some critics argue that Toy Story 4 hollowed out the humanity of Woody's friends and family by giving him a retcon and leaving them feeling left out.

Others criticize how "to infinity and beyond" was used in this film compared to its previous use in other films.

Toy Story 4: Woody's Character Development

This transcript discusses the character development of Woody throughout the Toy Story franchise, highlighting his flaws and strengths as a leader and friend to other toys.

Woody's Flaws

Woody can be selfish and stubborn, but he learns to overcome these traits in each film.

He lets his self-righteousness get the better of him in Toy Story 3, but ultimately learns not to abandon his friends for his own desires.

Of all the heroes in the franchise, Woody is probably the most flawed. His carelessness is what got Buzz lost in Toy Story 1, and he nearly goes along with the Tokyo trip in Toy Story 2.

Woody's Strengths

Despite his flaws, Woody is dedicated to his friends, kids, and role as a leader. He helps them overcome any obstacle that comes their way.

When Buzz arrives as a surprise present from Andy's mom, Woody learns to appreciate Buzz and just how much he means to Andy.

Although he can't stop Andy from growing up, he faces it with Buzz Lightyear by his side.

In Toy Story 3, when he leaves the gang at Sunnyside near the end of the first act it is absolutely treated like a bad thing. However, this sends him on a journey that allows him to find out the truth behind Sunnyside as well as find a new home for the toys.

Comparing Events

The comparison between Woody leaving at the end of Toy Story 4 and choosing the museum in Toy Story 2 is not necessarily the best equivalency. In Toy Story 4, Woody is going to be helping toys get owners and be with his world Beau Peep, whereas in Toy Story 2 he was being manipulated by Pete and Jesse into thinking the museum would be a better option.

In Toy Story 2, Woody was held at pickaxe point and forced to go to Tokyo. In contrast, in Toy Story 4 he is gaslit into thinking leaving is what he wants.

Conclusion

The transcript concludes by discussing how the start of Toy Story 4 shows a flashback where the gang rescues RC shortly after Toy Story 2. This sets up Woody's character development throughout the film as he learns to let go of his past and embrace new opportunities.

Critique of Toy Story 4

The speaker critiques the movie Toy Story 4, discussing issues with character development and changes to the characters' appearances.

Woody's Character Development

The speaker questions how anyone can like the movie if they are a fan of the first three.

They argue that every piece of character development feels like it should have an asterisk next to it.

The speaker believes that Woody's relationship with Andy is not properly represented in this movie.

Changes to Characters' Appearances

The speaker criticizes the changes made to Andy's appearance, particularly his face.

They argue that the intro forgets an important element from the previous film and confuses viewers about Woody's role in Bonnie's life.

The zoom-in on Bonnie's boot does not effectively convey Woody being abandoned.

Issues with Woody's Abandonment

The speaker argues that Woody being benched three times in one week is evidence of abandonment.

They question why Woody would be anxious about his new role as Bonnie's toy when he knew not to expect another Andy.

Toy Story 4 undeniably ruins the conclusion of Toy Story 3 by taking away Andy trusting Woody with Bonnie.

Woody's Character Development

In this section, the speaker discusses Woody's character development throughout the Toy Story franchise.

Woody's Badge

Woody is upset when his badge is taken off of him and given to Jesse.

The badge has only been treated with legitimacy or importance in the franchise once before, when Buzz mistakes Woody for a cop in Toy Story 1.

Responsibility and Purpose

Bonnie creates life from inanimate objects and Woody feels a sense of responsibility for Forky because of the joy it brought Bonnie.

Despite having friends to help him, Woody insists on doing everything himself.

This is in contrast to previous films where he relied on his friends for help.

Kindergarten Montage

Bonnie's parents go away for a few days after she does well at kindergarten orientation.

A montage ensues with Randy Newman singing "I Can't Let You Throw Yourself Away."

During this time, all of Bonnie's toys are still except for Woody who struggles to keep up with Forky.

Exhaustion

Buzz asks if Woody is okay and he admits that he doesn't remember it being this hard when Andy was little.

This quote has been misinterpreted as referring to the past films but it actually refers to Buzz not being around when Andy was little.

Woody's Character Development

This section discusses how Woody's character has evolved throughout the Toy Story franchise, particularly in terms of his willingness to accept help from others.

Woody's Character Arc

Throughout the Toy Story franchise, Woody has received help from others in various ways.

Teamwork has been a key element of the franchise since the first movie when Buzz helped Woody escape Sticky Pete.

Despite having selfish motivations, Woody consistently puts himself in danger to help his friends and acts selflessly.

In Toy Story 4, Woody struggles to adjust to his new environment and responsibilities with Bonnie as opposed to Andy.

Asking for Help

When Woody asks Bo Peep for help later on, he is not giving up but rather embracing teamwork.

Although he asks for directions from Lucky Ham, it is not considered giving up because he wants everyone to be safe and not parked on the side of the road in the middle of the night.

Continuity Errors

There may be a small continuity error when Woody finds Forky quickly after jumping out of the RV window.

Criticisms of Toy Story 4

This section highlights some criticisms of Toy Story 4.

Lack of Consistency

Going into Toy Story 4 straight from Toy Story 3 is jarring because it seems inconsistent with how content and engaged in leadership behaviors found in previous films that woody was portrayed at the end and mid credits scenes.

Contrived Plot Points

The reasons for Woody's behavior and outlook in Toy Story 4 are contrived and not well-established in previous films.

Woody's unresolved resentment towards Buzz from the first film is unnecessary and adds nothing to the story.

Inconsequential Moments

There are moments that seem inconsequential, such as when Woody accidentally says Andy's name instead of Bonnie's.

Woody's Reunion with Bo Peep

In this section, Woody and his friends stumble upon an antique store where they see Bo Peep's lamp in the window. Woody wants to make sure that the RV is still there before going inside. They meet Gabby Gabby, a villain who wants Woody's voice box because hers is broken. Woody tries to escape with Forky but ends up getting separated from him.

Stumbling Upon the Antique Store

While on a road trip, Woody and his friends pass by an antique store where they see Bo Peep's lamp in the window.

Woody wants to make sure that the RV is still there before going inside.

Meeting Gabby Gabby

They meet Gabby Gabby, a villain who wants Woody's voice box because hers is broken.

Woody tries to escape with Forky but ends up getting separated from him.

Reuniting with Bo Peep

In this section, Woody reunites with Bo Peep and they go on a mission to rescue Forky from the antique store.

Reuniting with Bo Peep

While trying to find Forky, Woody reunites with Bo Peep.

Woody convinces Bo Peep to help him get Forky back by appealing to her past as Andy's little sister's toy.

Rescuing Forky from the Antique Store

Along the way, they run into Buzz Lightyear who gets "keyed" and peeled while talking about his budding romance with Jessie.

Bo Peep shows Woody the view from the top of the carousel, which is a weak attempt at creating an epic moment.

They eventually make their way to the antique store and start their mission to rescue Forky.

Critique of the Rescue Plan

The speaker critiques the rescue plan to save Forky and points out its flaws.

Problems with the Plan

The line used to cross over is not retractable, making it easy for the ventriloquist dummies to untie it.

The plan offers too much time for the dummies to catch up, and there is no guarantee that the line can hold all of them at once.

Even if they had made it to the top of the bookshelf, there was a high risk that the cat could still get up there.

Woody did nothing wrong in rescuing Forky; Bo carelessly left him behind.

Woody's Motivation

The speaker discusses Woody's motivation throughout the film.

Woody's Purpose

The first film puts Woody's needs under a microscope and explains why he doesn't always have to be Andy's favorite toy as long as he is there for him when he needs him.

Woody practices what he preaches by putting aside his desire to be Andy's favorite toy and accepting Buzz as his friend.

Toy Story: The Importance of Being There for Your Kid

This transcript discusses the importance of being there for your kid, as demonstrated through the character development of Woody and Buzz in the Toy Story franchise.

Woody's Realization

Woody realizes that he may not have a universal purpose, but he is loved by his owner and is part of something bigger.

He helps other toys escape with the mentality of "no toy left behind."

Woody learns that his value comes from being loved by a kid, regardless of who that kid is.

Buzz's Growth

Buzz reminds Woody that life is only worth living if you're being loved by a kid.

Despite his initial change in personality in Toy Story 4, Buzz demonstrates growth throughout the franchise.

In Toy Story 2, Buzz tells Woody that he'll always be there for him.

Moving On

In Toy Story 3, Buzz emphasizes the importance of sticking together and keeping their cool.

Woody decides to leave Andy and go to Bonnie because he wants to continue being there for a kid who will play with him.

Andy realizes that toys are meant to be played with and passes them down to Bonnie so they can continue bringing joy to kids.

The Character Development of Woody in Toy Story 4

In this section, the speaker discusses the character development of Woody in Toy Story 4 and how it relates to his desire to be played with by a child.

Woody's Purpose

Woody's purpose was never to make one kid happy forever.

He understood that all he had left to do at this point was to keep what remained of 80s toys together.

That's not over just because they're with a new owner now.

Giving Up His Voice Box

In the scene where alone and cornered, Woody gives up his voice box to Gabby Gabby so that she has more of a chance to get an owner.

Being played with is the most fulfilling thing a toy can do, at least it is in this scene.

With Duke and Bozax, we see that you don't need to be played with by a kid to be fulfilled.

Gabby Gabby's Character Development

Everyone loves Gabby Gabby, the spiteful murderous vengeful torturous kidnapper.

It's time that she got a chance to bring a kid happiness; she deserves joy.

Her defect in her own voice box has prevented her from being able to get an owner.

Woody's Motivations

The writers love having their cake and playing with it too.

It's fine for toys to have different motivations and ideas of what can be fulfilling.

We see that in life all the time whether it's people's own careers, their partners or helping others.

Contradictory Information

The problem is having this come from Woody after Gabby's just been rejected by Harmony, the girl who she was desperate to get a voice box for.

Woody has been convinced, at least to some degree at this point, that being a lost toy may be the avenue for him.

There is contradictory information that is compromising the points of development.

Woody's Viewpoint

What does Woody want at this point?

If wanting an owner is A and wanting to be a lost toy is B, this is what the writers tried to get Woody to go from and to.

We've gone through every possible reason he could have this viewpoint and every single justification shoots itself in the foot.

Bonnie and Woody

Bonnie may be waiting for Gabby; she just doesn't know it yet.

But she definitely is waiting for Woody, and she does know that she does want him.

She will recognize he is gone because Woody is her toy; she chose him, and he offered.

Conclusion

The speaker concludes that there are many contradictions in Toy Story 4 regarding character development and motivations.

It seems like the writers were trying to make too many points at once without fully developing any of them.

English Woody's Future

In this section, the speaker discusses Woody's future and how he can help other toys find owners. The speaker also talks about the significance of Woody's voice box and how it affects his playability.

Woody Helping Other Toys

Woody helps Gabby Gabby get picked up by a child.

The speaker likes the idea of Woody helping other toys find owners.

However, the film would have had to portray Woody as sufficiently useless and abandoned by Bonnie to justify this outlook.

Playtime with Bonnie

After the beginning drama, we only see Bonnie playing with Forky and Woody.

The other toys are just set decoration for Bonnie.

Significance of Voice Box

The assumption is that now that Woody's voice box is gone, he is finally useless.

However, kids could still be willing to play with him even without his voice box.

There really isn't much sacrifice here since kids could still be willing to play with him.

Usefulness of Pull String

The pull string isn't as important as it seems since most kids don't use it when playing with Woody.

Even without his pull string, kids still played with him in Toy Story 4.

English The End of Toy Story 4

In this section, the speaker discusses the ending of Toy Story 4 and compares it to a scene from Avengers: Endgame.

Woody's Decision

The speaker criticizes the ending of Toy Story 4 for being incomplete and lacking adequate explanation.

Woody is visibly upset to leave Bo Peep behind but ultimately decides to go back to Bonnie.

The speaker suggests that all the other characters in the movie were just stepping stones for Woody to get back to Bo Peep.

Buzz's Response

Buzz sees his best friend upset and tells him that Bonnie will be okay, essentially giving his blessing for Woody to leave.

The speaker notes that this moment is similar to a scene in Avengers: Endgame where Pepper Potts tells Tony Stark that they will be okay as he dies.

Tony Stark Comparison

The speaker praises Iron Man's sacrifice in Avengers: Endgame and compares it to Tony Stark's desire to better the lives of those around him in every film since Iron Man (2008).

Tony wants to improve existing systems even if it means sacrificing himself.

Iron Man and Toy Story 4

The speaker discusses the character development of Iron Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and how it was well-written. They also criticize Toy Story 4 for its poor writing and how it contradicts the established character arcs.

Iron Man's Character Development

Iron Man's ultimate power weighs on him, as he worries about his family's safety and potential harm to others.

Despite this, he succeeds in bringing back those who were snapped away by Thanos without causing unnecessary damage.

The speaker praises the writers for concluding Iron Man's story arc so well after 23 movies.

Criticism of Toy Story 4

Buzz tells Woody that Bonnie will be okay without him, but this is a lie since Buzz cannot know that for sure.

Bonnie cares for all her toys equally, not just Forky. She even brings them all on a trip with her.

Woody's purpose was already fulfilled in the third movie, but the fourth film retcons his relationship with Bo Peep to achieve a new point.

The speaker questions how Jessie will feel about Woody leaving his family behind.

This section covers two different topics, but they are both related to character development in movies.

The Importance of Woody's Decision

In this section, the speaker discusses how Woody's decision to leave his friends and owner behind in Toy Story 4 goes against his motivations from previous films and essentially erases everything that made him who he was.

Woody's Final Act

Woody's final act is not him fulfilling his purpose or satisfying his motivations from previous films.

He runs off to be with Bo Peep and leaves his friends and owner behind forever.

This decision contradicts everything he wanted since the first film, which was to be there for his kid and stick together with his friends and family.

The Connection Between Andy and Woody

While the connection between Andy and Woody is important, for over a decade, Woody and Buzz were like brothers who directly communicated with each other.

It is unclear if Woody will get over Buzz or anyone else in the future.

Nullifying Everything That Made Him Who He Was

Everything that made Woody who he was has been erased by Toy Story 4.

There is no progression between what we see before Toy Story 4 and then what is dumped in our lap by it.

Essentially, an entirely different script for an entirely different movie with entirely different characters was written, but they put a fresh coat of paint on it and changed the character names to those from Toy Story.

Critique of Toy Story 4

In this section, the speaker critiques Toy Story 4 as a desperate and pointless attempt to continue the franchise.

An Entirely Different Movie

Toy Story 4 feels like an entirely different movie with new characters, setting, and basic synopsis.

The speaker critiques the reuse of exact same music cues note for note without any deviation or development.

A Desperate and Pointless Attempt

Despite the stellar animation and return of a character who could have a pretty interesting story to tell about their time away from the gang, the speaker couldn't help but dread what they were going to do with these characters.

Toy Story 3 was a satisfying end to an admittedly flawed but undeniably monumental trilogy.

Toy Story 4 felt cheap, desperate, and pointless.

Critique of Toy Story 4

The speaker expresses their disappointment with the film, stating that it nullifies and disrespects the work of creators past. They criticize Hollywood's focus on pulling the rug out from under the audience of classic franchises.

Issues with the Film

The speaker believes that Toy Story 4 is a bad movie that insults the first three films and what they accomplished.

Hollywood's focus on subverting expectations and retconning previous storylines is criticized, as it nullifies and disrespects the work of creators past.

The speaker argues that Toy Story 4 contradicts the purpose of the original trilogy by introducing vague ideas of purpose that weren't present before.

The characters' intelligence is compromised for comedic effect, which undermines their development in previous films.

Conclusion

The speaker welcomes feedback on their critique and encourages discussion about the film. They acknowledge that there are things to appreciate in Toy Story 4 but found its issues too significant to overlook.