The thing about the Toy Story franchise is that, ultimately, its story is about change. Growing up, moving on, embracing new people and new responsibilities, that’s the central theme running through every movie. As such, it’s fitting that the films themselves seem aware that they can’t simply rest on their laurels. Kids today are different than the kids who fell in love with the first movie. Their world has changed. The challenge for any new entry into the franchise is navigating that change while staying true to what made Toy Story so beloved in the first place. It’s a balancing act that I’m pleased to say Toy Story 5 manages quite well.

For once, the central story of the film shifts away from Woody (Tom Hanks) and Buzz (Tim Allen), choosing to focus instead on the cowgirl toy, Jessie (Joan Cusack). As the sheriff and leader of the toys, Jessie is responsible for the happiness of their human, Bonnie (Scarlett Spears). That role is threatened when Bonnie is gifted an electronic tablet, Lilypad (Greta Lee), by her parents. Lilypad is able to connect Bonnie to other kids instantly and lets her play in ways that Jessie and the other toys simply can’t, and they begin to question if Bonnie even needs them anymore. 

While remarkably similar in plot to the original Toy Story, with a new, more hi-tech toy joining the group that disrupts the established hierarchy, I have to give credit to the writers for not simply repeating the beats that worked so well the first time. Lilypad introduces a totally new type of tension into the mix. The film touches on the idea that these devices are forcing children to grow up more quickly and change who they are. The question becomes not whether Lilypad is a threat to Jessie, but whether she’s one to Bonnie. It’s a really smart way to frame the issue that gives the entire film a depth I didn’t expect.

It helps that the acting is, as usual in these films, top-notch. Joan Cusack brings Jessie to life with so much emotion it’ll break your heart. The script is not short on sentimentality, longing, or pain, and almost all of it rests on Jessie’s shoulders. The rest of the cast is good in their roles, as they should be since several of them have been at this for decades now, but they have much less responsibility. It’s left up to Cusack to carry the heart of the film, and she does so impressively.

Another pair whose work stands out are writers/directors McKenna Harris and Andrew Stanton. The two of them do such a great job moving the story along and keeping the film visually entertaining, even when there is minimal action. One of my favorite parts of the Toy Story franchise is the use of nooks and crannies that we forget about in our house as elaborate set-pieces. That trend continues here. From an abandoned playhouse to under the bed, the world feels big and full of hidden places.

My only real complaint with the film is that there are moments it doesn’t seem to trust its central story. Far too often the plot drifts away to a subplot that has no real purpose, and it’s just distracting. There’s an entire side story about a group of Buzz Lightyear toys who got shipwrecked and made their way back to the mainland that has absolutely nothing to do with the main narrative at all. Eventually the film ties the two together, but it didn’t need to. The central plot could have worked just fine without periodically stopping and jumping to something completely different. That kind of thing happens far more than it should in this movie, and I don’t really know why.

Regardless of some small structural issues and unnecessary diversions, Toy Story 5 is still a worthy addition to the franchise. It very much keeps the charm and emotional resonance that the previous films are known for, while also updating itself well for a new generation. Who knows where Jessie and the other toys go from here, but if the films keep growing and evolving, I’m confident they’ll be bringing kids happiness for years to come.