Pixar’s latest installment in the beloved “Toy Story” franchise, “Toy Story 5,” addresses contemporary concerns surrounding technology and childhood development through the eyes of its familiar toy characters. Directed by Andrew Stanton, the film premiered in theaters earlier this month and brings back iconic voices such as Tom Hanks as Woody and Tim Allen as Buzz Lightyear, while also introducing fresh characters and themes that resonate with today’s digital age.

Set several years after the previous film, the story centers on Bonnie, now eight years old and struggling with social anxiety and isolation. To overcome her loneliness, Bonnie convinces her parents to purchase a popular interactive tablet called the Lilypad, which quickly becomes the focal point of the film’s conflict. Voiced by Greta Lee, the Lilypad represents a new kind of adversary for the toys — a seductive and technologically advanced device that captures the attention of children and threatens the traditional childhood experiences that Woody, Buzz, Jessie, and their friends have fought to preserve.

Rather than depicting artificial intelligence as a distant or abstract threat, “Toy Story 5” zeroes in on the immediate impact of screen time on young minds. The toys witness a neighborhood transformed by glowing screens, with children captivated and disconnected from their surroundings. This scenario propels them into a battle not against a malicious AI, but against a device emblematic of the larger cultural shift toward digital immersion.

Jessie, voiced by Joan Cusack, assumes a central leadership role, taking the reins from Woody and Bo Peep, who had departed in the prior installment. This shift marks a notable change in the franchise’s dynamics, with Cusack’s performance providing a fresh and assertive energy well-suited to the story’s themes.

The film also expands its cast with new characters such as Blaze, a young girl at Jessie’s original home, and a group of outdated electronic toys, including the hyperactive Smarty Pants—a toilet-training device voiced by Conan O’Brien. These nostalgic additions serve both comedic and narrative purposes, highlighting the evolving landscape of playthings in the digital era.

“Toy Story 5” runs 102 minutes and is rated PG for some thematic elements and mild rude humor. The film has been praised for its ability to engage not only today’s children but also the millennial audience that grew up with the original 1995 release. By blending humor, emotional depth, and timely commentary, it offers a thoughtful reflection on the challenges that modern technology poses to childhood innocence and social connection.