Not as good as the first but still great!! Another Buzz Lightyear to the rescue

Rating: 8/10 (24 November 2011)

The original Toy Story set a new level, one that you would struggle to beat. The sequel although not beating it does remain close to that mark and doesn't fail to impress. This one has moved forward in the sense of the animation, with the effects being even more impressive and although the story isn't quite as good it still manages to take us on an exhilarating journey.
This sequel starts with all the toys playing happy families. They still get up to their usual tricks when Andy is out the room and still manage to replace themselves just as he comes in. Woody is anxious at the start, struggling to find his hat, the one missing piece of his outfit ready to accompany Andy to Cowboy Camp. They find the hat and Woody is relieved to be able to go but when Andy decides to have a five minute play before he heads off he accidentally rips Woody's arm meaning Woody will have to stay behind after all and up on the highest shelf ready for repair.
Woody's second problem is when Andy's mother has a lawn sale in his absence and poor Wheezy (a squeaking penguin) is placed out in the yard. Woody being an all action hero uses the dog to transport him to the sale and save his friend, however a toy collector spots him and steals him, knowing it will complete his collection and earn him big money. It turns out Woody is part of a collection known as the Round-Up Gang. The collection have been locked away in storage for years waiting for Woody to be found and now he has they are all set to be jetted off to Japan and be looked at through a glass box for the rest of their lives. Woody, at first, is reluctant but upon getting to know Jessie the Cowgirl, Bullseye the horse and Stinky Pete the Prospector he falsely believes that he is more part of something here than at Andy's as Andy will eventually grow up. This scene is shown in a heart moving song from Jessie's point of view another great piece from Randy Newman although he doesn't perform.
Buzz and the gang decide to rescue their faithful leader and head off into the wilderness, known as the real world, in search of him. Buzz, Slinky, Mr Potato Head, Hamm and Rex however all encounter their own problems, like meeting another Buzz in a toy shop who they mistake for their Buzz (he performs very much like when Buzz was introduced into the first film) a busy intersection crossing in which they must cross using traffic cones (a brilliant sequence) an aisle of Barbie dolls who each toy can't get enough of and Buzz's long lost enemy, Zurg. All obstacles on the quest to find Woody and to do all the things he has done for them in the first film.
The film doesn't surpass the original but at times it definitely matches it. Some of the humour is top class, with the other Buzz providing a lot of laughs especially with our Buzz's reactions to him. It is like watching Buzz and Woody's initial meet in the first one. The chemistry between the other toys on their journey is also well written with each character being very three-dimensional.
The same however can't be said for the Round-Up Gang where I found myself less interested in their story than I was with Buzz and the gang's journey. This is where the film lacks compared to the original as only half the story is engaging and we would rather see Buzz's problems than Woody's. The Round –Up Gang aren't as fun with Jessie becoming annoying and Stinky Pete having a sudden turn. Bullseye is also very 'Looney Tune' and although I didn't mind this others will. Unfortunately these are the few problems with the film which don't let it reach the heights of the original. Also the climax seemed to be over far too quickly and seemed far sillier than what it should have been. I understand that the whole concept is unbelievable but an unbelievable concept can be made real but when a stuffed horse is running at the same speed as a plane I was thinking this is getting a little bit too silly now. I can draw the line at five of them driving a car.
Don't get me wrong the film is great and I found myself laughing at so many points, especially the Buzz vs. Buzz scenes, they are great. There are also references to the first film and to other films that you will find yourself enjoying pointing out. Despite my slight issues with the film it is still a worthy addition for Pixar and for the Toy Story franchise. It doesn't quite reach the heights of the original but let's be honest not many animated films ever will.