The Toys are better than ever

Rating: 10/10 (28 November 1999)

Don't be confused by the number. Toy Story 2 is anything but a sequel. Sequels are continuations of original stories, but though the use of unoriginal ideas, a lack of enjoyable twists, rehashes moments from the original, and about half the original cast. Toy Story 2 is actually an extention of the original. It's breathes with the life of one of the most wonderful story ever created as an afterthought.
Now, a little background for those of you who are behind. In 1995, Disney, in association with Pixar, released the first fully computer-animated feature film, Toy Story. The plot was a hilarious buddy comedy about toys, mainly Woody, the cowboy (Tom Hanks) and Buzz Lightyear, the new spaceman toy (Tim Allen). After some rivally and an adventure where Buzz realizes that he's a toy, the two become best friends.
This time around, it's Woody who's in for the surprise of a lifetime. He's priceless. Literally. He's a collectors item; A rare doll based of the 50's tv show character from "Woody's Round-Up". When Woody tries to rescue Wheezy from the Yard Sale, he ends up getting stolen by Al (Wayne Knight), owner of "Al's Toy Barn". Thus, it's up to Buzz, Rex (Wallace Shaw), Slinky Dog (Jim Varney), Mr. Potato Head (Don Rickles), and Hamm (John Ratzenberger) to go on an another adventure through the city, the toy store, a skyscraper, the airport, and even a car chase (real car, not RC).
Overall, this movie rings as good as the original, or even debatably better. Just compare it to the Star Wars Episode IV and V fight or the Godfather I and II fight. Each time the following movie actually seems to be better. Toy Story 2 is proud to become an elitist member of those few movies. The animation seemed to be superior thanks to newer computer technology. And the story itself was both touching without ever going near preachy. When Buzz says his speech about saving his friend, Woody cause that's what Woody did for him, that's all he says. No lingering. Just keep moving on.
Odd little fact here: Toy Story 2 almost went the way of "Simba's Pride" and "Return of Jafar", direct to home video. However, unlike those two, this movie was destined for the big screen and I applause Disney for giving it another shot. I am, however, gonna go nuts waiting for the video or the "dare-I-say-it?" DVD release.
The thing that caught me off guard was the action sequences. Each one sucked me in deeper than anything I've seen in a long time. The opening scene depicts Buzz Lightyear's very own video game as an intense action fight between him and the evil Emperor Zurg. It's later recreated in an elevator shaft with more whimsical and comical results. As for the climax, a tense piece of work on a airplane, I've never felt more nervous for a pair of pixelated pals in my entire life. It's momently like those that make me anxiously await the Buzz Lightyear TV show that might be coming soon. (Take that Reboot and Beast Wars.)
As for the characters themselves, they all were as great as the last time if they were in it the last time. Hamm just continues being an extension of Ratzenberger's already perfected Cliff Claven from "Cheers". Shawn's Rex as a video game freak just fits the character so perfectly, it's a wonder it wasn't thought of for the original. Woody and Buzz are still the preemo centerpiece character's and even if their together time is minimal in this one, you still gotta love the goofy two.
As for the new character's, they're all lacking. The main new character is the cowgirl Jessie (Joan Cusack) and she's as dull as a school-board debate. The only time you care for her is during the emotional new song by Sarah McLaughlin, otherwise, you just want her screen time to end. As for the others, Mrs. Potato Head was put in only because she was referenced in the ending to the last one, Bo Peep is still playing fifteenth banana after the Etch-A-Sketch, and as great as it is to see Barbie in the movie, it wonders if Mattel will be happy with the end result (a dopey bimbo who's as plastic as "BarbieGirl" makes her out to be).
But I guess what makes Toy Story 2 truly great are all the jokes. Especially the gags that are hidden all over the place. Most people caught a few obvious ones in the first movie ("Hakuna Matata" in the car, a Mickey Clock on Andy's wall) and missed the more subtle ones (the toolbox in Sid's room is by Binford, as in "Home Improvement"). This movie is no exception. First, there is the new addition to Andy's room, "A Bug's Life" calendar on the wall. And then a delicious parody of "Jurrasic Park' T-Rex tailing the car in the rear-view mirror. And finally, the ultimate rip on Star Wars ever. I'm not even gonna hint you about it. This is one joke that must throw you off guard to be truly appreciated it.
Thus, in the end, I recommend this one to anyone who's a fan of toys, classic stories, great action sequences, wonderful jokes, and of course, the original story. Now, call me a nit-picker but some of the computer effects are just too shiny when compared to the original. But hey, who am I to critizise Pixar? I have a hard enought time using paintbrush on my computer. Catch this movie the moment you can. Masterpieces like this movie must be treasures. I only wish Pixar could work twice as hard to create new movies as I anxiously await the next title by them, the currently titled "Monsters, Inc." All I ask for is one thing: hey guys, while you're at it, "Toy Story 3?"