Takes the greatness of the first and expands on it

Rating: 9/10 (8 September 2011)

How Pixar managed to connect with its audience in Toy Story 1 is repeated here and expanded upon. Toy Story 1 was a great picture, but this one actually eclipses it in scope. The examining of people's relationship with their toys (and the guilt they have upon growing too old for them) is fully developed and given weight. That results in a slightly dark tone to the picture, but a necessary one for the story. This gets played out even further, but to less effect in Toy Story 3. Pixar balances on a very thin tight rope here. Make it too playful and action packed, and the human element is lost. Make it too introspective, and the film becomes sorrowful. But combine the elements just right, and you get...magic! Most sequels suffer from not having the shock of the new. This is not the case here. Not only does the depth and emotional tug of the story grip us, but we are actually happy to be back "playing with" Woody and the gang. It's like seeing old friends again and meeting new ones. As always, Pixar proves it is a master of direction, animation, humor, and warmth, but it ups the ante making this a near masterpiece. Finding Nemo amazingly enough would even outdo this picture. Another great movie from a studio that can do almost no wrong!