Tablet Story
Answering the unasked question - but what does Jon McBrine think?
Just when you thought there couldn’t possibly be another Toy Story movie, the toys are back in town and this time they’re playing with the fresh, new concept of screens being bad for kids! Not only will Disney/Pixar be charging you to watch the sequel on the silver screen, but you’ll later be able to pay a subscription service fee to stream the film on a small screen. Plus, you’ll be able to buy the screen character they say is bad. I’m having fun with this but in all seriousness, the only screen time that’s bad for children and adults is if you watch the 2022 Buzz prequel movie “Lightyear”
As a longtime fan of Pixar and their creative storytelling, I find the concept behind Toy Story 5 genuinely intriguing, especially with the introduction of a new villain—an actual tablet character called The Lilypad. It’s fascinating how Disney/Pixar chose to embody the modern dilemma many families face today: the battle between traditional physical toys and the omnipresence of digital screens. From personal experience, I’ve witnessed how children can be magnetically drawn to screens, whether it’s for streaming movies, playing games, or exploring apps. The clever meta-narrative of Toy Story 5, which critiques screen time by presenting a movie about the dangers of screens that is itself viewed on multiple devices, highlights this complex relationship. The irony is not lost on viewers—the same company telling kids to be wary of screens is also inviting them to own the very device portrayed as a villain. This duality reflects a broader societal conversation about screen time’s impact on development and creativity. In my family, we try to balance screen use with active play and reading, but it’s not always easy. Seeing this nuanced theme explored in a children’s film is refreshing because it encourages dialogue without being didactic. Moreover, the availability of The Lilypad tablet as a purchasable toy ($27.99) blurs the lines between caution and commercialization—a point worth pondering. Are children truly warned about screens, or are they subtly enticed to embrace more of them? For fans and parents alike, Toy Story 5 provides more than entertainment; it acts as a conversation starter about how we engage with technology, the importance of imaginative play, and the evolving definitions of what counts as a 'toy.' This makes the film an essential watch, complemented by reflection and discussion about our own screen habits and how they influence young minds.