Watch the Toy Story 4 trailer and get ready to ask yourself, “What is a toy?”

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What makes a Disney movie different than many other animated films?  Often, it’s the depth that it rocks you to your core.  I’ve sobbed watching Carl and Ellie’s fertility struggles in Up and cheered watching an elephant fly in Dumbo.   I can see myself and my family in these characters and their tales.  The Toy Story series is no different, making me ponder friendship and loyalty.

Toy Story 4 Trailer

The Toy Story 4 official trailer dropped today, and it was filled with beloved characters, but also some deep questions.

As details have been slowly released like a peek at new characters and Tom Hanks (voice of Woody) saying the film was “profound,” excitement has been bubbling.

I must admit, I was perplexed by “Forky,” the DIY spork turned toy in initial coverage.  But I watched the trailer with my preschooler.  After viewing the trailer, I asked who her favorite character was.  “Forky,” she adamantly stated.  And then she asked me to add sporks to my Amazon cart.  My 21st-century-child and avid crafter immediately took to Forky (voice of Tony Hale).

And it clicked.  My kids are Bonnie, the child who was gifted the Toy Story toys by a grown Andy from the original films.  Bonnie’s glitter and beads accessories can be found all throughout my home.  But Bonnie’s hobbled together spork that she adores as much as a heirloom cowboy doll make perfect sense here in my home.  We have a McDonald’s happy meal box hanging on our plum tree in the front yard, proudly displayed for all of the neighbors to see because it’s a bird house.   Hopefully, my neighbors understand the love that went into transforming the cardboard box into a home, filled with cotton balls and assorted other “treasures.”

What makes something a toy?  

If a toy is played with and loved, it is a toy.   In the trailer, we see Forky fighting the label of “toy.”  Will Woody be able to convince him otherwise? Will Woody come upon his own definition of what it means to be a toy?  We’ll have to wait until June 21, 2019 to find out.

Bonnie takes her toys, including Forky, on a family road trip.  Woody attempts to show Forky the wonders of toyhood, but an unexpected detour leads him astray.  He’s reunited with Bo Peep (voice of Annie Potts), who has spent years on her own.  This girl mom is drawn to her adventurous spirit and strength, despite her delicate appearance.

The trailer also shows some frightening scenes with a porcelain doll named Gabby Gabby (voice of Christina Hendricks) and ventriloquist dummies that I assumed would startle my little one.  She glossed right over them in her recap.  Perhaps the “creepy doll” trend on YouTube with her favorite YouTubers pretending a doll had joined their families has desensitized her to them.  I find them quite creepy.

Also joining the line-up of toys in Toy Story 4 are Duke Kaboom, a confident 70’s stuntman doll voiced by Keanu Reeves, and Giggles McDimples (voice of Ally Maki) who sits atop Bo Peep’s shoulder as a Jiminey Cricket conscience might.

As we rewatch the trailer countless times between now and June, I’m even more excited to get to know the new toys (even the ones who may not identify as toys).  I know I’ll find my daughters in Bonnie’s creativity, in Bo’s strength, and perhaps in Gabby Gabby’s quest for a voice.

What do you think of the new Toy Story 4 trailer?  Share your thoughts in the comments!