The latest installment in the Disney & Pixar animated film series, "Toy Story 5" (directed by Andrew Stanton and co-directed by Kenna Harris), will be released in Japan on July 3rd. On June 26th, a scene from the film was released showing the iconic duo of cowboy doll Woody and space ranger Buzz Lightyear engaging in a comical fight that "hasn't changed with time." The scene pays homage to the scene in the first film where Woody and Buzz chase Andy's car at full speed, and also features the familiar sight of all the toys falling over at Woody's cry of "Bonnie's coming!", sure to delight fans.
◇ Woody and Buzz continue fighting even after jumping onto the back of the car.
Woody and Buzz have been loved around the world ever since the first film in the series was released. Woody was Andy's favorite toy, but Buzz, who was the latest and most popular toy at the time, suddenly appeared in his life. They were rivals vying for the title of Andy's favorite toy, but through many great adventures together, they came to respect each other and became irreplaceable partners.
The newly released footage shows Woody and Buzz, the iconic duo, venturing out into the world to reclaim Bonnie's smile, which has been stolen by the "digital" world. Just when you think that Woody and Buzz, the "partners," will work together seamlessly to overcome the crisis, they each insist that they are the ones who should go on the adventure to the outside world, and they engage in the same old, familiar bickering.
Entrusted by the cowgirl doll Jessie with the temporary leadership of Bonnie's room, Buzz, burning with a sense of justice as "deputy sheriff," rushes out into the outside world, contrary to Woody's calm attempt to overcome the predicament. Woody, exasperated by Buzz's actions, also chases after the car and Buzz. The scene showing Woody and Buzz continuing their fight even after jumping onto the back of the car Bonnie is in is an homage to the scene in the first film in the series where Woody and Buzz chase after the car to return to Andy, and it's a moment that will make you chuckle.
◇"We're working hard to make a sequel that we ourselves would want to see" (Director Stanton)
Pixar has a belief that they will not make a sequel unless there is a story worth telling that surpasses previous works. In the United States, it has been described as "What is expected from the 'Toy Story' series is moments filled with exhilarating fun. 'Toy Story 5' delivers one fun moment after another, filling your heart" (IGN), and it seems to be a work that aligns with Pixar's belief.
Director Stanton, who has been involved in all the previous films in the series, declared, "I have been involved with 'Toy Story' as a screenwriter all this time, and from the beginning, all of our works have been character-centered and story-driven. That is still exactly the same now, and we do not want to make anything of low quality. We are working hard to make the sequels what we ourselves would want to see. This spirit has not changed since we started making 'Toy Story 2'."
Furthermore, the director spoke about the series' appeal, saying, "If you think about it, children only play with toys for about 5 to 10 years. For example, small moments like when a toy is left outside or forgotten behind the sofa are important moments in the lives of toys. 'Toy Story' depicts these moments in an entertaining way." In addition to this scene, the latest film is full of unique expressions that are characteristic of "Toy Story" and scenes that pay homage to previous installments, making it the "best story in the series" that the production team has confidently released.
◇Can the toys win back the heart of the young girl, Bonnie?
"Toy Story" was Disney & Pixar's first feature film, with the first installment produced in 1995 and released in Japan in 1996. The story of a boy named Andy whose toys come to life and go on adventures when humans aren't looking, and the full CGI that brought toys like Woody and Buzz Lightyear to life, became a worldwide hit. The second installment was released in 1999 (2000 in Japan), the third in 2010, and the fourth in 2019.
In the latest installment, "Toy Story 5," Jessie, a cowgirl doll who has taken over as "sheriff" from Woody and is now the leader of the toys in Bonnie's room, has watched over the growth of the imaginative and shy girl, Bonnie. When Bonnie's parents, worried that she is struggling to make friends because the other kids are moving on from toys and are engrossed in tablets, her life changes drastically when they give her a state-of-the-art tablet, the "LilyPad." Worried that Bonnie's radiant smile, which used to shine when she played, is fading as she becomes absorbed in the screen, Jessie asks Woody for help. Teaming up again with Woody and Buzz, Jessie rises to the challenge of winning back Bonnie's spirit...
In the Japanese version, actor Toshiaki Karasawa voices Woody throughout the series, while entertainer George Tokoro voices Buzz Lightyear. Yumi Kusaka voices Jessie, Alice Hirose voices the new character LilyPad (the latest tablet), Alice Hirose Hayato Sano of "M!LK" voices Smarty Pants, and Ryo Ryusei voices Forky.
The film premiered in the United States on June 19th local time, and its box office revenue in the first three days exceeded $160 million (approximately 25.76 billion yen, calculated at 1 dollar = 161 yen). It has also been released in various countries around the world, including the UK, Spain, Mexico, South Korea, and China, and as of June 25th, its worldwide box office revenue has exceeded approximately 56.78 billion yen (approximately $352.67 million) (according to Box Office Mojo as of June 25th), making it the biggest hit opening in the series' history. It will be released in Japan on July 3rd.
