Not because I don’t love this franchise. Quite the opposite. Toy Story has been a constant companion for most of my life, and after the emotional farewell of Toy Story 3 and the unexpected meetings and partings of Toy Story 4, I genuinely wondered what was left to say. I expected another Woody and Buzz adventure, nostalgia. I expected comfort.

What I didn’t expect was Jessie.

And honestly, I’m so glad that’s the movie we got.

Directed by Andrew Stanton and co-directed by McKenna Harris, Toy Story 5 reunites nearly every voice fans have grown up with. Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Tony Hale, John Ratzenberger, Wallace Shawn, Blake Clark, Annie Potts, Bonnie Hunt, Kristen Schaal, Keanu Reeves, Ally Maki, Melissa Villaseñor, and others return with the same warmth and chemistry that have defined this series for decades. The newcomers, including Greta Lee, Conan O’Brien, Craig Robinson, Bad Bunny, Ernie Hudson, Alan Cumming, and several more, slide naturally into this world without feeling like stunt casting.

But the real heart of the film belongs to Joan Cusack.

For years, her story in Toy Story 2 gave us one of the franchise’s most devastating moments. That fear of abandonment never truly disappeared, and Toy Story 5 wisely recognizes that trauma doesn’t simply vanish because time passes. Seeing Jessie wrestle with those lingering scars gives the film an emotional foundation I never saw coming. Joan Cusack delivers some of her strongest work in the entire series, and there were several moments where I found myself far more invested in her journey than I expected.

The “toys versus technology” premise initially seemed like the obvious hook. Trailers suggested a story about screens replacing playtime, and while that idea is certainly present, the film digs much deeper than that.

What Toy Story 5 is really asking is why so many children today feel pressured to grow up so quickly.

The film quietly examines the expectations placed on kids, the fear of not fitting in, and the way structured lives sometimes leave very little room for imagination. Technology becomes less of a villain and more of a symptom. The real issue is a world that often forgets how important play actually is.

That message hit me harder than I expected.

As someone who grew up creating stories with toys scattered across the floor, I found myself thinking about how much those moments shaped who I became. Toy Story 5 understands that play isn’t wasted time. It’s how children process emotions, discover themselves, and learn to connect with others. That’s a surprisingly profound idea for a movie about talking toys.

And thankfully, the film never forgets to have fun.

The comedy lands beautifully. The returning cast still feels like a family, and the chemistry between everyone remains one of Pixar’s greatest strengths. Whether it’s Rex spiraling into panic, Hamm delivering dry observations, or Duke Caboom stealing scenes once again, the movie balances humor and emotion with remarkable confidence.

Visually, Pixar continues to impress. The animation is stunning, but what stood out to me most were the smaller details. Expressions carry so much feeling. Quiet moments are allowed to breathe. There is a maturity to the filmmaking that trusts the audience without ever losing the wonder that made the original film special back in 1995.

By the time the credits rolled, I found myself smiling for a reason I never expected.

Toy Story 5 didn’t try to recreate the past. It didn’t chase nostalgia for nostalgia’s sake. Instead, it found a new story worth telling and gave one of the franchise’s most beloved characters the spotlight she deserved.

And somehow, against all my expectations, I think this movie was one of the best Toy Story films ever made.

That was perhaps the biggest surprise of all.

After thirty years, this franchise still understands something many films forget: growing up doesn’t mean leaving play behind. It means carrying the lessons, friendships, and imagination we discovered through it into the next chapter of our lives. Toy Story 5 celebrates that idea with sincerity, humor, and a tremendous amount of heart.

I walked into the theater wondering why this movie existed.

I walked out grateful that it does.

Rating: 5/5 atoms

Toy Story 5 comes alive in theaters this Friday, June 19th.

The post Toy Story 5 Review – Celebrating the Power of Play appeared first on Nerd Reactor.

The trailers didn’t quite sell me. They made it look like light chaos, bright colors, maybe a few solid jokes, and not much else. I mean, even though it’s mentioned in the film, it ACTUALLY felt like it was going to be Avatar for kids. Pixar has built a reputation on emotional storytelling, but the marketing here felt like it was holding something back. I’m very glad I ignored my doubts.

Hoppers isn’t just fun; it’s heartfelt, thoughtful, and far more layered than its previews suggest.

Directed by Daniel Chong and written by Jesse Andrews, the film follows an animal lover named Mabel who uses new technology to transfer her consciousness into a life-like robotic beaver. She goes undercover in the animal kingdom, befriending a beaver named King George to save their habitat from the city’s development-focused Mayor. Piper Curda leads the ensemble with warmth, sincerity, and genuine compassion, bringing a vulnerability that anchors the film’s emotional core, while giving space for the character’s personal revelations.

Bobby Moynihan delivers steady humor that never undercuts the heart, but adds to it. He is an honest-to-goodness ray of sunshine who endures throughout the film. Jon Hamm brings a surprising amount of fun stubbornness to his performance, which marries well with the cast. Kathy Najimy adds a sense of chaotic fun as the professor, and Dave Franco rounds things out with a lively and nefarious energy as the Caligula-like Insect King.

The chemistry within this vocal cast is what truly makes the film soar. These performances feel connected. Conversations bounce naturally, emotional exchanges land without feeling forced, and the humor comes from developed character rather than punchlines. It feels like a group that actually knows one another, and that makes every moment resonate more deeply.

Visually, Pixar remains in a class of its own. The animation bursts with texture and light. Landscapes feel lived in. Expressions are layered and nuanced. The world of Hoppers carries a sense of movement that feels both playful and intentional. There are sequences that shimmer with imagination, yet it’s the quiet character beats that linger the longest.

What surprised me most was how confidently the story leans into its emotional themes, despite the heavy emphasis on zany antics based on the trailers. It explores community, insecurity, ambition, and the courage to embrace who you are without becoming heavy-handed. The humor keeps things buoyant, but the sincerity gives the story weight. I found myself laughing one moment and sitting quietly reflective the next.

Going in, I was uncertain. Walking out, I felt genuinely grateful that I had given it a chance.

Hoppers is the kind of animated film that sneaks up on you. It looks playful on the surface, then reveals a depth that feels earned and honest. It reminded me why Pixar remains such a powerful storyteller when it trusts its characters and lets them breathe.

Right now, it stands as the best animated film I have seen this year.

Rating: 5/5 atoms

Hoppers, starring Piper Curda, Bobby Moynihan, Jon Hamm, Kathy Najimy, and Dave Franco, hops its way into theaters this Friday, March 6th.

The post Hoppers Review – A Beautiful Surprise That Leaps Straight for the Heart appeared first on Nerd Reactor.

In the latest entry, Inside Out 2 finds us one year after the events of the first film. Now a newly minted teenager, Riley (and her current emotions) must learn to work together with her new emotions- Envy, Ennui, Embarrassment, and Anxiety. But things take a turn when Riley’s emotions clash over her sense of self- and whether or not it will be what’s best for her in the end. Our beloved returning cast of performers (Amy Poehler, Phyllis Smith, Lewis Black, Diane Lane, and Kyle MacLachlan) are joined by newcomers Tony Hale, Liza Lapira, Maya Hawke, Ayo Edebiri, Adèle Exarchopoulos, Paul Walter Hauser, and Kensington Tallman.

New and Old (Emotional) Friends

Kelsey Mann, one of the minds behind the writing team that created 2015’s The Good Dinosaur, and the story supervisor for 2020’s Onward, takes the helm in their feature film directorial debut. Mann’s history of creating emotionally evocative familial dynamics in their stories shines bright as only a film of this caliber deserves. Returning to the role of Joy, SNL alum Amy Poehler gives a performance that feels familiar, heartfelt, and full of energy. Her vocal performance and comedic timing create memorable moments in the film that will have the audience in stitches. But coming with that same energy, Lewis Black returning as the voice of Anger is a fun experience! The veteran actor and comedian steals the screen with every rage-filled utterance and red fiery outrage. And who can forget the incredible performance of Phyllis Smith as Sadness? Her morose and melancholic vocal range is just as depressing as it was in the first film, and we still love her for it!

Along with our original cast is also a host of other great new additions. Ayo Edebiri, star of the hit series The Bear, adds a playful yet persistent personification of Envy. French actress Adèle Exarchopoulos will give moviegoers flashbacks to their teen years as Ennui, the listless emotion who is always on their phone. But leading this group of feels is the incredible and panic-stricken performance of actress Maya Hawke, best known for her role as Robin in Stranger Things. Hawke’s portrayal of the emotion Anxiety is nothing short of a masterclass in vocal performing. Her manic breathing, fast-paced speech, and intense delivery of her character will be a performance to remember.

Will It Make Me Cry (Again)?

As mentioned before, Mann’s experience with incorporating complex sentiments into family dynamics works well in the film. Their ability to strike several emotional chords in each scene highlights their capabilities, not only as a writer but also as a director. The film’s story delves into the teenage psyche surrounding fitting in, stepping out, and rising up, all while trying not to appear to do so. Between the delicate balance of portraying an earnest and naive adolescent, to recognizing the sincere pitfalls and mistakes we’ve all made as teens, this film breathes new life into the coming-of-age archetype.

At the heart of this journey is a truth that every human on this planet can relate to: change is hard. Whether you’re facing it at your workplace, your school, or your home, no one likes to deal with change, especially the inevitable kind. Inside Out 2 shows us that despite the encroaching storms of change we face daily, we can find true inner peace and a sense of calm that comes from only being our true selves.

While Inside Out 2 is not quite the tearjerker that the first film was, it will still stir up those feelings long since forgotten that only your teenage self will remember. Disney-Pixar’s wholesome effort in presenting another opportunity to see our favorite films growing up with us pays off. It will not only give parents but also most adults the opportunity to dissect the film and find what applies to their own lives.

All in all, Inside Out 2 is a great journey of the mind and adolescence (without going through puberty again)! The care and work put into the film is fantastic, from the writing to the directing, and especially to the wonderful cast who brought it to life. It’s filmmaking like this and filmmakers like Kelsey Mann that will continue to showcase how every great film out there has something for everybody.

Score: 4.5/5 Atoms

The post Inside Out 2 Review – The Essence of Adolescence appeared first on Nerd Reactor.

In addition to the teaser trailer, the poster has been released teasing the new emotions. The original emotions from the first film are feeling anxious as they are standing on top of the new ones, who are ready to be unleashed into the world of Riley’s mind.

About Inside Out 2

The little voices inside Riley’s head know her inside and out—but next summer, everything changes when Disney and Pixar’s “Inside Out 2” introduces a new Emotion: Anxiety. According to director Kelsey Mann, the new character promises to stir things up within headquarters. “Anxiety, voiced by Maya Hawke, might be new to the crew, but she’s not really the type to take a back seat,” said Mann. “That makes a lot of sense if you think about it in terms of what goes on inside all our minds.”

Synopsis: Disney and Pixar’s “Inside Out 2” returns to the mind of newly minted teenager Riley just as headquarters is undergoing a sudden demolition to make room for something entirely unexpected: new Emotions! Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear and Disgust, who’ve long been running a successful operation by all accounts, aren’t sure how to feel when Anxiety shows up. And it looks like she’s not alone.

Maya Hawke lends her voice to Anxiety, alongside Amy Poehler as Joy, Phyllis Smith as Sadness, Lewis Black as Anger, Tony Hale as Fear, and Liza Lapira as Disgust.

The film is directed by Kelsey Mann and produced by Mark Nielsen.

Inside Out 2 releases in theaters in June 2024.

The post New Emotion Introduced in Inside Out 2 Teaser Trailer appeared first on Nerd Reactor.