Toy Story 4

Yesterday I rented Toy Story 4. In a time in which Hollywood is producing mediocre films, even Disney, it is a relief to know that there is a studio that is still producing good movies.

What I love about this franchise is that it delves into the personal stories of heart-broken toys. And just like humans, each toy responds differently to a broken heart. Toy Story 4 is no exception. In Toy Story 2, we are introduced to Jessie and Prospector Pete. Both have a broken heart and yet have dealt with it differently. In Toy Story 3, we meet Lots-o'-Huggin' Bear. Upon introduction, Lotso comes across as a warm southern gentleman only to later discover he is the most heartless antagonist in this franchise. And yet his backstory is not that much different from other toys. In the latest installment, we meet Gabby Gabby, a 1950s pull-string doll (just like Woody) and Duke Caboom, a 1970s motorcycle stuntman, simular to the Evil Knievel toy of the 1970s. Gabby's pull-string voice box was defective right out of the box and because of that, she never experienced the love of a child. If you think Jessie's story is a tear-jerker, Gabby's story is even more so.

Warning: The following videos about Gabby contain spoilers; this is the best story of sacrifice, rejection and redemption in the entire franchise.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fr-cgi42GV0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZxsYg5AMxw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSmU1ZvX9l8

Jeanette Isabelle

Today I read what people were saying about Gabby Gabby. I was surprised about some of the YouTube comments, essentially saying the same thing, she is a selfish [witch] who got what she deserved when she was rejected.

I did not see her that way and wondered if I was looking at this fictional character through my prejudices.

I decided to look up official bios and the first site I came to was Disney Fandom. For the most part, I agree with this page. Gabby is an anti-villain, a person of noble character who, in this case, was desperate. Where I and the article disagree is when it says, "Gabby accepts a chance to reform after being shown the error of her ways, voluntarily having herself adopted by a lost girl in atonement for her bad deeds." We immediately see Gabby's real self, an honorable toy, after her world was shattered by rejection. Her desire to help a lost girl was not out of some form of "penance." Gabby helped the child because that is her true nature.

Jeanette Isabelle