Who Could Not Like This Film?

Rating: Null/10 (30 November 2000)

Well, what can I say? If every cartoon sequel that is ever made is scripted and executed HALF as good as this, the world will be a better place. Instead of just rehashing all the good stuff from the original for another wheeze around the track, all the characters and the premises were expanded and enhanced. Stuff like "Mrs. Potato Head", "Al's Toy Barn", and "Emperor Zurg", which could have been throwaway material, are given lives of their own.
The entire original cast is reassembled, and several talented new members are introduced. Kelsey Grammer brings a large range of emotions to the Prospector, from dignity to indignance to his final insanity. Wheezy the penguin inspires our deepest sympathies. Mrs. Potato Head is HILARIOUS! Her dialogue with her husband is some of the best written. And Bullseye the horse: he succeeds in being absolutely ADORABLE without turning the stomach in the slightest. Emperor Zurg is a little disappointing (his design, his lack of personality, the missed opportunity of his thinking he is a toy, etc.), however.
The visuals have been bumped up more than a notch. Notice how the people no longer look like they are made of clay, and compare the almost photo-realistic dog to the leather jacket with fangs in the original.
However, I have a few misgivings. The first is the character of Jessie. When she first appeared, I thought: she'll stop acting like this any minute. But she didn't. Ever.
The second is graver. Since this movie, there are a lot of "Woody's Roundup" and "Buzz Lightyear at Star Command" spinoffs. I hate this because they force us to see Buzz and Woody as REAL MEN, rather than toys. Uncomfortable? You should be. Not to mention the continuity problems (how would Buzz not recognize the little aliens in the first film, when it is revealed that they do all the grunt work at Star Command) created.
Then there's all that picky stuff (Rocky and Bo Peep have not been developed at all, how old is Woody, how long did it take HIM to realize he is a toy rather than a cowboy, why didn't ALL the "Roundup" toys come to life, how could the collection be complete when Woody is missing his gun, etc.).
Overall, however, and excellent film for EVERYBODY to see. You won't be disappointed. I'm stoked for the third edition, but I wouldn't want to see anybody replacing the great Jim Varney.
P.S. I just might be crazy, but is it possible that Emily, who owned Jessie all those years ago, is Andy's mother? She's the right age, and it would certainly add another layer to the scene in which she adamantly refuses to sell Woody to Al.