Girl dads rejoice, as the latest film in a long-standing Disney-Pixar franchise puts female friendships front and center with salient lessons about finding one’s value in a cynical era missing the simple joys of play, with youngsters increasingly isolated by the FOMO of technology. A somewhat fussy and scattered plot comes into clearer focus as young Bonnie (voice of Scarlett Spears), Jessie the Yodeling Cowgirl (Joan Cusack) and a frog-shaped smart tablet named Lilypad (Greta Lee) take center stage in Andrew Stanton’s Toy Story 5 (B+). Surrounded by her treasure trove of personified playthings including her beloved pull-string rag doll and trusty steed, Bonnie trusts her new high-tech tablet will grant her the glow-up to make new online acquaintances and friends IRL. But the tricky technology causes radical riffs for both humans and toys, and Woody (Tom Hanks) and Buzz (Tim Allen) re-team to restore balance. This installment uplifts Jessie’s existential crisis as she copes with abandonment issues, and the resulting sentiment including a return to her original ranch is truly moving. The animation is better than ever, with a parallel pop of fun line-art renderings depicting the dream life of the series’ classic characters. Additionally, the ensemble of familiar friends provides a funny peanut gallery for the pensive proceedings. The revelation here is Conan O’Brien, the hilarious voice of Smarty Pants, an abandoned toilet-training tech toy whose brazen bathroom humor torpedoes him to either #1 or #2 cherished character status. Ultimately this film may appeal even more to adults than kids, as it plumbs issues which could most challenge and break parents’ hearts. This is a solid and possibly corrective entry in the popular film series and will certainly reward viewers of all ages.