Toy Story 4

Pixar's beloved coterie of toys discovers there's life beyond being faithful pals to a growing child as the saga continues to unfold after Toy Story 3 seemingly offered perfect closure to the much-loved trilogy. Although the gang's now ensconced with kindergarten-age Bonnie, separation from previous owner Andy still weighs heavily on cowboy Woody (voiced as ever by Tom Hanks). With Bonnie now favouring endearing new friend Forky - a spork she turned into a hand-made toy herself - Woody's left wondering if another traumatic rejection is in store. That focus on the toys themselves pondering their own purpose adds a new level of nuance, as the plot engineers a family vacation where peril awaits in a sinister antiques shop and there's a romantic reunion for Woody and Bo Peep, the lamp figurine who illuminated earlier episodes. All in all, it's brilliantly pacey, boasts the most visually spectacular animation of the entire series, and finds unexpected emotional depth in the realisation that it's better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all. Ultimately, it's perhaps a deft, intelligent appendix to the previous priceless trio, but the story's cross-generation appeal remains strong, and the whole production has far more integrity than the cash-in job the cynics were expecting.