Toy Story 4 Is an Absolute Must See With the Kids, but There Are a Few Things to Be Wary Of

As with the Toy Story movies before it, number four tugs at the heartstrings in both happy and sad ways. In Toy Story 4, we finally learn what happened to Bo Peep and why she wasn't in the previous instalment, and even though it's clear from the previews that Bo is back (and better than ever!), what happened to Bo and her sheep is upsetting. There are a few sad moments in which various toys talk about or never being owned by a kid or are shown being rejected, and though these moments might go over a toddler's head, your young kids might get a bit upset. Plus, there's a pretty heartbreaking moment toward the end that left me, a grown-ass 29-year-old woman, BROKEN. Just a point to consider if you have particularly empathetic and sympathetic kiddos.

Toy Story 4 features little clips of our beloved Andy in the beginning, but this movie's all about Woody and the rest of the gang belonging to Bonnie. On the day of her Kindergarten orientation, Bonnie's a little apprehensive, but Woody inadvertently helps her to cope with feeling afraid and lonely on that day by providing her with the materials to build her new "toy" friend, Forky — a literal plastic spork with a pipe cleaner for long arms (which Rex hilariously makes a comment about, because poor guy has the shortest arms). It's all very funny how he comes to be and how he behaves in Bonnie's room, but his "I'm alive" scene scared the bejesus out of me and those around me, and might frighten a younger viewer.

Seriously, I don't mean to be dramatic, but you'll understand what I mean when you see the film — the ventriloquist dummies (yes, that's plural) in this film are absolutely terrifying. It almost becomes a joke after a while how freakin' scary their faces are, especially the main dummy, Benson. You'll want to punch each and every one of them and scream "NOOOOO" at the top of your lungs whenever they're on screen. So, if you're going with kids, know that the first time we see the dummies is when Woody and Forky are in the antiques shop, and then they're a pretty big part of the movie from there on out (why, Pixar, WHY?!), but are exclusive to the antiques shop. Sometimes they arrive on screen so suddenly your kids will jump out of their smooth baby skin, other times you know they're coming; but I promise, it's a shock every time, and just something to know going in.