We’ve all been worried about Toy Story 4. Ever since it was first announced all those years ago, we’ve been concerned that THIS would be the one to break the streak — that it would result in a franchise going out on a less-than-optimal note. Considering that Toy Story 3 had a pitch-perfect ending, Pixar was really taking a creative risk in pursuing another tale with these guys. Sticking the landing would be an amazing achievement.

Now, it sounds like they may very well have stuck said landing. The movie has screened for some critics in advance of some extra press stuff coming up in the next week, and that means we have our first batch of reviews. So how has it turned out? Well, you read the title, so you know it’s pretty darn positive so far. As of this writing, it has 58 reviews and a 100% rating.

Here are a couple of quotes, starting with one from AP:

“The signature “Toy Story” wit and irreverence might not be quite as sharp as it was before, but there are enough truly inspired moments to keep you smiling as you savor the unexpected fun. Cooley and the writers even brilliantly play on some kid-friendly horror movie tropes, adding a fresh dimension to this journey.”

So that one seems to be pretty positive, but not so overwhelmingly positive. Richard Roeper over at the Chicago Sun-Times seemed more smitten, saying:

“Filled with laughs and perfectly choreographed slapstick adventures, “Toy Story 4” also knows just when to insert the life lessons and when to deliver those moments guaranteed to put a lump in your throat.

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If this movie doesn’t touch your heart, you’d have to be as lifeless as the toys pretend to be when humans are in the vicinity.”

Next up, we have TheWrap, who also enjoyed the film, and in an era where we all complain about sequels, the writer is completely open to more of them if this high bar of quality is maintained.

“Pixar could easily retire this series with a clean sweep of films that have been lovely to look at and moving and funny to watch. But if they can maintain this level of wonderful, keep ‘em coming.”

EW gives perhaps the most baffling review. It’s ultimately a positive B score, but I can’t get past the constant negs scattered throughout and really can’t tell if they liked it or hated it.

“Is this a cash grab? Toy Story 4 doesn’t hit the emotional highs of the previous films. There are good jokes that work and heist setpieces that don’t. The ending is moving, though now you distrust any finality with this saga. It does feel a bit cheap, somehow: Another movie drifting melancholy off forgotten toys, from a 25-year-old multimedia franchise starring global icons preparing to gross yet more multigenerational billions… It took Pixar decades of technological innovation, but they finally made a beautiful piece of trash.”

That one is most confusing. With all the negatives they throw out there, you’d think that final line would be seen at the tail-end of a negative review.

Oh, well. What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments down below!

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SOURCE: AP, Chicago Sun-Times, TheWrap, EW