HOLLYWOOD—It is hard to believe that the first “Toy Story” movie arrived in 1995. Almost 30 years later, we have our fifth entry into the franchise that continues to mesmerize its pulse when it comes to children, family and toys. It feels like “Toy Story” is always ahead of the game when it comes to storytelling, and after five movies you would think, things would start to get stale, but nope, the writers are still hitting homeruns.

This fifth entry finds our focal character Bonnie (voice of Scarlett Spears), who finds her notion of play change when she is introduced to the iPad aka Lilypad. Yes, “Toy Story” has finally caught up with the times and is tackling something that many parents know all too well. To play or to play with the iPad.

Bonnie still plays with her toys which include Jessie (voice of Joan Cusack) as the top choice amongst the crew, is having trouble making friends. Hate to say it, but she is dealing with a bit of anxiety which is something all kids deal with. That fear of not being able to make friends with others who are like you, but you don’t know until you know. Bonnie feels isolated and relies on that sadness to her parents who purchase Lily (voice of Greta Lee) to break the ice.

Lily becomes Bonnie new ‘toy’ of choice as she abandons Jessie, Buzz Lightyear (voice of Tim Allen), Forky (voice of Tony Hale) and a host of others. When Bonnie gets invited to one of her friends’ home for a sleepover, the iPad becomes the talk of the town. This is all the girls do is play with their iPads while ignoring one another and not engaging in any sort of conversation at all.

“Toy Story 5” presents a tale all too familiar for parents. Kids are not playing with toys anymore. If they are, it’s something you rarely see. The iPad has become the toy of entertainment, and as a result children are socializing with their own peers, less and less, and their creativity suffers as a result.

Bonnie endures this, but the movie aims to teach the lesson that making friends can be scary, but if you don’t try it will never happen. It’s fun to see all these toys concerned about their future discover if they don’t take action, the notion of toys will become a thing of the past.

Yeah, there are retailers that are slowly, but surely diminishing their stock when it comes to toys because I can’t tell you the last time my niece who is only 7, asked for a toy. When she wants something it’s a Roblox gift card so she can utilize it with her iPad.

“Toy Story 5” has heart and that is going to connect with spectators, young and old, and its proves that there are still so many stories to tell when it comes to children, adults, toys, life and growth. Your favorites also return with Woody (voice of Tom Hanks), Bo Beep (voice of Annie Potts), Duke Caboom (voice of Keanu Reeves), Dolly (voice of Bonnie Hunt), Rex (voice of Wallace Shawn) and so many more.

I will admit I didn’t chuckle as much as previous movies, because I was so engulfed in the narrative that I found to be spot on. Kids will enjoy “Toy Story 5,” but the parents will enjoy it just as much if not more.