Computer animation finally comes of age

Rating: 9/10 (3 December 1999)

All I can say is, the Hollywood convention for naming sequels is unfortunate. You don't see so many numerals in literature. What would have happened if `The Lord of the Rings' had been called `The Hobbit 2'? No-one would have taken it seriously. If only someone could have found an alternate name for `Toy Story 2', I wouldn't have such a hard time convincing people that it's the second film that's the real triumph - the delightful masterpiece `Toy Story' was trying to be.
It's funnier; the animation - well, the art direction, anyway - is better, less concerned with ersatz photo-realism; the musical score is immeasurably more stirring; and the songs actually fit. Most importantly, the rules of the Toy Story universe are clearly described - and adhered to. It's an ironclad rule that a toy NEVER moves while being observed by a human. In the original, as you'll recall, one of the main obstacles is overcome by breaking this rule - which trivialises the whole story, since there are a hundred occasions in both movies where it would be useful for the toys to be able to move while being watched. To see the sequel is to see things done RIGHT.
Furthermore, `Toy Story 2' obeys another golden rule the first film breaks: NEVER deliver a sentimental moral when (a) the sentiment is hard to take seriously, and (b) the success of the story depends upon it being taken seriously. The original is all about how important toys are to children. In the case of Woody and Buzz, I'm sceptical about this; and in any event, who cares, since it's the toys, not the children, who are the main characters. The sequel is all about how important children are to toys. That's why the sequel is so much richer.
Yet I feel safe in recommending the film to everyone who loved the first `Toy Story', since I'm sure everything lovable about the first is still there. Buzz and Woody are much the same (but somehow deeper). And the three-eyed alien dolls are back - with more screen time!
Maybe it's a mistake to even think about the original, though, because the sequel is magnificent not by comparison, nor by association - it's simply magnificent. I'll content myself with mentioning just one more thing: the `bloopers' we see over the end credits. (I gather `A Bug's Life' did the same thing; but since `Toy Story 2' is almost certainly the superior film, this is of no moment.) A number of live-action movies have adopted the loathesome practise of showing out-takes and discarded footage over the end credits. It's good to see it so cuttingly satirised.