Tom Hanks and Tim Allen express devastation over bullying scene in highly anticipated Toy Story 5, detailing their reactions By Carolina Costa
2 min read
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Renowned actors Tom Hanks and Tim Allen, widely recognized for striking roles throughout their careers, lend their voices to the iconic characters Woody and Buzz Lightyear in the acclaimed Toy Story franchise. With the return of the veterans for Toy Story 5, both revealed that they were deeply shaken by a specific sequence in the new film.
The scene in question, which may have escaped the memory of some viewers, shows the character Bonnie, the current child owner of the toys, receiving a tablet in the shape of a frog, called Lillypad. This device connects her to other children who practice ballet. At a certain point, classmates start bullying Bonnie when they discover that she still has fun with toys, highlighting how social pressures and the rise of digital technology can create new forms of ostracism in childhood.
Tom Hanks began his statement with a powerful reflection on the topic. “No one has ever had their feelings hurt by playing with a toy. Even I’ve had my feelings hurt by reading something on a screen, you know? It’s okay, it’s okay. It’s like… Bam! What do you want in life?”, said the actor, highlighting the difference between traditional interactions and the impact of digital media.
Complementing his colleague’s perspective, Tim Allen delved deeper into the distinction between different types of pain. “You can drop your toy and it hurts because it broke, or someone stole it, or you lost the ball, or the soccer ball. But hurt feelings are different. The way Bonnie was hurt affected me, and I’m in the movie and I’m watching it. And it affected me and I say, “God, this is horrible.” And it’s a silent moment. You read what was said, you see how it registers on Bonnie’s face,” Allen explained, describing the intensity of emotion felt upon witnessing the scene.
Hanks reinforced the sentiment, underlining the power of storytelling. “It was heartbreaking. I felt so bad. And that’s what good cinema and good storytelling do, there’s a big lesson there, right?”, added the actor, highlighting the importance of the scene in conveying a relevant message to the public.
In the narrative of Toy Story 5, the toy team faces the challenge of the growing influence of technology on children’s lives. Jessie, one of the main characters, calls on Woody to join forces and help herself and her other friends regain Bonnie’s attention, who finds herself increasingly involved with new electronic devices.
