The problem with so many modern-day sequels is that they rarely do enough to justify their existence, often feeling like shameless cash grabs that resort to recycled storylines. That's part of what has always made the Toy Story films so refreshing: they consistently find a new story that has something meaningful to say. The lengthy gaps between installments are a testament to that. If Pixar were simply interested in cashing in on the franchise, we'd likely be getting a new Toy Story movie every year or two. Instead, the studio takes its time, only returning to these characters when it has a story it genuinely believes is worth telling. When Andrew Stanton’s Toy Story 5 was announced, many people's first reaction was, "Do we really need another one?" In an era where childhood looks radically different from what it did when the franchise began, the answer is a resounding yes.

Pixar is certainly no stranger to films about human beings turning into animals. In fact, between Brave (2012), Soul (2020), and Turning Red (2022), it seems to be a pretty prevalent theme. And after introducing technology in Up (2009) that allowed humans to understand what a dog was thinking, a movie where someone can literally experience life as an animal feels like a logical next step. As much as Hoppers fits perfectly within Pixar’s wheelhouse, it might also be their most absurd film yet. Thankfully, that absurdity works entirely in its favor.