The age of toys is over!
The teaser introduced viewers to a new character, Lilypad, a high-tech, frog-shaped smart tablet. Lilypad makes the toys—Woody, Buzz, Jessie, and the rest of the gang—jobs even harder as they battle for Bonnie’s attention and playtime.
Toy Story 5 posed the question: Are toys still relevant in today’s tech-driven world?
Why Imagination Still Matters in a Digital Childhood
My earliest memories of technology are of spending hours trying to beat my high score on a brick game and getting so carried away playing Super Mario on our family computer that it always toppled off its table. But before all that, there were Barbie dolls, luto-lutuan sets, and afternoons spent making up stories with whatever toys I had.
Growing up in the ’90s, I experienced the best of both worlds: imaginative play and electronic play.
Kids today are surrounded by even more technology—from smartphones and tablets to gaming consoles. It made me wonder: do they still create imaginary worlds with their toys, or has playtime quietly become screen time?
Watching Toy Story 5, I couldn’t help but think of Walt Disney’s quote: “Every child is blessed with a vivid imagination.”
Bonnie still loves creating stories with her toys. When she’s introduced to the Lilypad, pretend play slowly gives way to digital entertainment. What I appreciated most is that the film never treats technology as the villain. Instead, it reminds us that gadgets and imagination don’t have to compete.
When I first watched Toy Story, I wondered whether my own toys came to life whenever I left the room. That’s the magic of imaginative play—it inspires children to create adventures of their own.
While today’s kids may have access to more technology than my generation ever did, I hope they still get to experience the simple joy of turning a bedroom floor into an entire universe. After all, some of our biggest adventures began with nothing more than a few toys and a really good imagination.
Can We Form Real Connections in this Digital Age?
One of the themes in Toy Story 5 that resonated with me most wasn’t about toys—it was about friendship.
Bonnie struggles to make friends at school. Hoping to help, her parents bought her a Lilypad so she can connect with her classmates. Instead, she’s teased for still playing with toys and begins hiding the part of herself that loves make-believe.
Those scenes hit me harder than I expected.
When I was younger, I remember asking my dad, “Would I ever have friends?”
Back then, my friendships often ended with the school year. Every June felt like starting over.
Thankfully, things changed. Over the years, I found my people with whom I can be authentically myself.
Today, staying connected has never been easier. We exchange likes, comments, and messages almost effortlessly. But I’ve learned that being connected isn’t always the same as feeling connected.
The friendships I value most are built through shared experiences—traveling together, watching movies, working out, celebrating milestones, or simply being there when life gets difficult.
That’s why I appreciated how Toy Story 5 handled this theme. It doesn’t suggest that technology is the problem. Instead, it reminds us that while technology can introduce us to people, genuine friendships are built over time, through shared experiences, and by showing up for one another.
Watching Bonnie finally find a true friend in Blaze reminded me that the best connections aren’t measured by how quickly we make them, but by how deeply we nurture them.
Toy Story 5: Another One Worth Watching
Like many fans, I thought Toy Story had already found its perfect ending when Andy left for college and passed his beloved toys on to Bonnie. It felt like the natural conclusion to a story that had grown up alongside its audience.
So I wasn’t sure another sequel was necessary.
I’m glad Pixar continues to prove me wrong.
Toy Story 5 tells a story that feels surprisingly relevant to the world children are growing up in today, while still giving adults something meaningful to reflect on. Its themes of imagination, friendship, and finding genuine connection in an increasingly digital world are as timely as ever.
Kids will enjoy the adventure, the humor, and the familiar faces they know and love. For those of us who first met Woody and Buzz back in 1995, there’s another layer waiting to be discovered. Every new installment offers lessons that resonate differently depending on where we are in life.
Maybe that’s been the real magic of Toy Story all along. It was never just about toys coming to life—it was about growing up. Three decades later, Woody, Buzz, Jessie, and the rest of the gang are still reminding us that no matter how much the world changes, imagination, friendship, and love will always have a place.
P.S. I also wrote a Toy Story 5 review here.
P.P.S. You can also read my review of The Devil Wears Prada 2, another movie that’s not just done for nostalgia’s sake.