Kristian Harloff's Toy Story 5 Reaction: "This Movie Is Great"

My out of theater verdict on Toy Story 5 is simple: this movie is great. There is still an embargo on the full review, so these are just my out of theater thoughts on the latest from Pixar, directed by Andrew Stanton, bringing Woody and the gang back.

I love Toy Story 1, 2 and 3, and I thought 4 was a pretty good addition, decent but in a different class from the first three. Toy Story 5 lands with the earlier films for me. "This movie is great. I'm just going to I'm not going to beat around the bush," is how I put it walking out.

Toy Story 5 Tackles Technology and Growing Up Differently Than Past Sequels

I have two kids, so I went in thinking about the idea of technology and toys and what it means not just to be a kid but to be a parent watching your kids grow up and play differently. Toy Story has explored the attachment between toys and kids before, but this is different. It shows how differently kids grow up today, focusing on Bonnie trying to just be a kid with her toys while technology keeps intruding, and I liked the way the film plays that out.

Jessie's Story Anchors the Movie, With Woody and Buzz Used Sparingly

What I really dug about it is that this is Jessie's story, and the actress voicing her once again does such a great job. There are emotional moments and good laughs, and Woody and Buzz are used in a really great way without the film just hammering down on nostalgia, even though there is plenty there for longtime Toy Story fans.

I Teared Up Even Though I Didn't Expect To

I had heard people say you tear up in this movie and I doubted it. "I go not me. I don't tear up for I teared up," and I think that is partly because I believe parents are really going to resonate with this movie, and kids are really going to resonate with it too.

I Hope the Message About Kids, Toys and Technology Reaches a Huge Audience

I hope this movie makes 8 billion dollars because I want kids to see it and take something from its message. I feel strongly about how technology and toys and other things play together, and I think there is a place for all of them, but there is a way to do it where kids can still be kids. I love the message here, and I think Pixar came back to form with this one. If you are a Toy Story fan or a parent, I think you are really going to respond to it. A non-spoiler review is coming once the embargo lifts.