Since the debut of their first full-length film, “Toy Story.” Pixar has convinced multiple generations of imaginative children that their toys move upon leaving the room. 

For an empire that has been running for nearly 24 years, the “Toy Story” franchise is at the top 20 in highest-grossing media franchises of all time according to titlemax.com, the franchise itself has made billions since its debut in 1995. 

Upon the release of “Toy Story 3” in 2010, I failed to realize why high school seniors and college students at the time had all of a sudden began to cry in the scene in which Andy grows up and gives his toys to Bonnie as he goes off to college. That is until nine years later, it’s my senior year and I began uncontrollably crying upon realizing the true meaning of that scene in which Andy had grown up. 

I thought that after “Toy Story 3,” no more “Toy Story” films would follow – after all, it seemed to have a perfect end to a franchise. Andy had grown up, and their toys were given to a younger child, so she would enjoy growing up with them until she grows up and the cycle continues. I was surprised to see that Pixar had decided to create “Toy Story 4,” to me it seemed unnecessary, but I still went over and watched it for the same reason any adult or teenager would watch a Pixar film, to cry of course. 

One thing that Pixar never fails to do is surprise me by how realistic their movies are and the difference in animation and quality since “Toy Story” and “Toy Story 4.” Upon the release of “Toy Story,” 3-D CGI (Computer Generated Imagery) animation was a new form of animation of the time that was so drastically different from traditional 2-D animation that had built Walt Disney Studios to the powerhouse it is today. Now, 3-D CGI animation has established itself more and more as Pixar continues to perfect its style and creates more realistic scenes that you wouldn’t even believe to be animation. 

Story-wise, Pixar doesn’t disappoint – it follows the adventures of Woody and Buzz Lightyear as well as the other toys as Bonnie now begins kindergarten and they go on a road trip and introduces new characters such as Gabby Gabby (played by Christina Hendricks), Ducky and Bunny (played by Keegan Michael-Key and Jordan Peele), Duke Caboom (played by Keanu Reeves), and Forky (played by Tony Hale), plus they bring back old characters such as Bo Peep (played by Annie Potts) during their misadventures during the family road trip. 

Personally, I’d recommend “Toy Story 4” to as a family-friendly film to watch with anyone. Just be prepared like with any Pixar film take tissues.