It has been a strange wait for Toy Story 4. While initially, the third film was being promoted as the final film in the franchise, no one expected another one and fans were surprised when Toy Story 4 was announced later. The franchise has long boasted itself to be one of the most-loved animated series and we have to say, it was Toy Story 3 that truly left everyone's eyes moist. With the fourth part now, the makers bring back one the much-loved cowboy, Woody and his friends. With some amazing voice actors returning on the fourth film, such as Tom Hanks (Woody) Tim Allen (Buzz), Joan Cusack (Jessie), Blake Clark (Slinky), Wallace Shawn (Rex), Annie Potts (Bo Peep), Estelle Harris (Mrs Potato Head), Michael Keaton (Ken), Jodi Benson (Barbie), there has been a lot of excitement surrounding this film.

Toy Story 4 mainly revolves around Forky undergoing identity crisis and leaves Bonnie and his other friends. To bring him back and look after him, Woody too follows and thus begins their journey together as they get lost on their way. But does the film promise as much fun as the others from the franchise? Well, critics reviews of the film suggest a mixed response.

Guardian wrote, "Compared to many fourquels we’ve had in the past – Jaws IV: The Revenge; Superman IV: The Quest for Peace; Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol – Toy Story 4 is in a different league. And if you’d never seen any other of the Toy Stories, you’d probably think this one – written by Pixar veteran Andrew Stanton with Stephany Folsom and directed by Josh Cooley – was a gem. It is sprightly, sweet-natured and gorgeous to look at (and how blase we’ve all become about animation standards that 10 years ago had us hyperventilating with astonishment). There are some nice lines and a nifty allusion to Hitchcock’s Strangers on a Train. But this movie is fundamentally repeating itself: repeating characters, ideas and plotlines – even if it does it with buoyancy and charm.  Toy Story 4 Super Bowl Teaser: Woody And Bo Peep Reunite In A Big Circus While Buzz Lightyear Is Stuck As A Prize In A Game.

BBC too in its review maintained that Toy Story 4 does not go beyond its prequel but doesn't spiral down either. Their review says, "Toy Story 4 doesn’t tarnish the series, it doesn’t polish it either. It’s a smaller, less moving, and mercifully, less traumatising entertainment than the last one, less satisfying in its plotting and less provocative in its themes. But it does start promisingly."

Hailing the film's physical energy, Indiewire heaped praises on Toy Story4 saying, "Clever, breathless, and never manic just for the sake of keeping your kids’ eyes busy, the action in “Toy Story 4” is character-driven and paced to perfection. Whether Duke is trying to jump over a cat, or Bo is running away from Gabby Gabby’s army of horrifying ventriloquist dummies, the movie’s elegant physical energy makes it a rare testament to the virtues of computer-generated animation — a form that too often feels like a shortcut — and serves to remind us that this franchise is still better suited to Pixar’s style than anything else the studio has ever made. Woody could never be useless so long as he’s capable of sparking this much joy."

Like BBC, Entertainment Weekly too suggests that Toy Story 4 doesn't go beyond its prequels, the review stated, "Toy Story 4 doesn’t hit the emotional highs of the previous films. There are good jokes that work and heist setpieces that don’t. The ending is moving, though now you distrust any finality with this saga. It does feel a bit cheap, somehow: Another movie drifting melancholy off forgotten toys, from a 25-year-old multimedia franchise starring global icons preparing to gross yet more multigenerational billions." Toy Story 4 New Teaser: Bo Peep Returns To The Franchise And She Has Had Quite A Transformation!

It looks like Toy Story 4 is not as perfect when it comes to getting the emotional quotient right unlike Toy Story 3. There's a sense of familiarity for those who have followed the franchise but the old tricks don't work their charm in the new film. The movie opens in theatres this Friday. Stay tuned to LatestLY for more updates.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 14, 2019 12:08 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).