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It's been 31 years since "Toy Story," the first movie released by the animation behemoth Pixar, was in theaters - which is a sentence likely to make a generation of once-young moviegoers feel like Methuselah. A lot has changed in the moviegoing landscape since 1995, but a cast of characters that raised many millennials (and beyond) continues their adventures on theater screens.

The "Toy Story" movies remain beloved, and the original movie is still an 81-minute slice of animation perfection that sings in ways Pixar has been chasing ever since (and they have made their share of great films). "Toy Story 2" matched its predecessor in terms of quality, and "Toy Story 3" felt like a perfect conclusion to the many adventures of Woody and Buzz Lightyear. Of course, when another billion dollars is up for grabs, you make "Toy Story 4," a perfunctory sequel that feels like a footnote in the franchise's history.

It's hard to not be cynical about "Toy Story 5" existing, especially since 2010's Best Picture-nominated "Toy Story 3" felt like it concluded the franchise. Luckily, "Toy Story 5" regains the charm and heart of the series, which was missing from the last film released in 2019. Things are different for the gang, but the new chapter in the "Toy Story" saga feels like it's back to basics in some ways.

"Toy Story 5," directed by Kenna Harris and Pixar veteran Andrew Stanton, once again finds the toys at a crossroads. Woody (Tom Hank) and Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) are, of course, present, but the movie focuses on the return of Jessie (Joan Cusack). All of the toys have found new homes since living with Andy, and Jessie is currently owned by Bonnie (Scarlett Spears). Bonnie still loves her toys, but that becomes an issue when she has trouble making friends. Bonnie's parents see how hard it has been for their daughter to connect with her peers so they give her a tablet called Lilypad (Greta Lee), which allows her to talk and play games with girls her age.

But perhaps screens aren't the best way of making personal connections. Bonnie, like any child, becomes immediately addicted to this new piece of technology at her fingertips and she now has no time for her toys. She certainly doesn't want to be the only person her age still playing with dolls while everyone else is leveling up on the latest game on their tablets. Jessie immediately senses what's happening and rallies the other toys to try and stay a part of Bonnie's life.

As it typically goes, the toys get pulled away from their homes and must find their way back. When Jessie winds up in a different home, she enlists the help of some new toys: Smarty Pants (Conan O'Brien), Snappy (Shelby Rabara) and Atlas (Craig Robinson). In Jessie's quest to get back to Bonnie and stay a relevant source of comfort in her life, she must rely on her new friends.

Even since the first movie in 1995, the franchise has always been about change. In the first "Toy Story," Woody feels threatened by the arrival of Buzz, who at the time felt like a major technological advancement in the world of toys. "Toy Story 5" is another story about change, and it gives Jessie a front-and-center spot at noticing the world evolving around her. Woody and Buzz have been through all this before and their characters take a back seat this time around so Jessie can lead the pack.

There's nothing groundbreaking happening in "Toy Story 5," but it feels the franchise has bounced back from the letdown of the previous movie. Sure, the message is clear here: screens change everything. The movie isn't as overtly anti-screens as it appears but shows them in all their complexity. Screens can connect and educate, but they certainly can alienate and become addictive. Sometimes it's important to keep some old friends like Jessie, Woody, or Buzz around to remember a simpler time.