"Toy Story 2" - Toys, toys, and more toys!

Rating: 10/10 (13 June 2010)

1999's "Toy Story 2" is a fine example of one of those rare movie sequels that far surpasses the original. "Toy Story 2" is a far superior sequel to its 1995 predecessor, "Toy Story," a film that I will admit I loved watching growing up during the mid '90s, so you could expect my hesitation in viewing a sequel. My fears subsided within the first five minutes of "Toy Story 2." You can comment forever about the significantly improved Pixar animation, the increased human-like appearances of the toys, and the high-soaring story (that has many laugh-out-loud nods to past movie epics including "National Lampoon's Animal House," "Raiders of the Lost Ark," "Jurassic Park," and "The Empire Strikes Back"). But "Toy Story 2's" real charm lies in its underlying message. "Toy Story 2" involves beloved cowboy toy Woody's (voiced by Tom Hanks) theft by a greedy toy collector named Al (Wayne Knight). So it's up to Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) to mount a gallant rescue attempt for his best friend. At the apartment of Al, Woody learns that he is actually a rare doll from a 1950's children cartoon and Al is intent on selling Woody and other members from the so-called "Roundup Gang" - Jessie (newcomer Joan Cusack), Stinky Pete the Prospector (Kelsey Grammar), and steed Bullseye - to a Japanese toy collector. This was an excellent animated family film from director John Lasseter (who also worked on the first film). Like its predecessor, "Toy Story 2" captures what it means to be a child and eventually out-growing your youth, love, and friendship. Does Woody really care about about his friends back in Andy's (John Morris) bedroom and living a good life and being loved in the present, or does he care about living forever as a rare collector's item? "Toy Story 2" really has a high nostalgia factor for its viewers, as some have pointed out, and that is probably what makes this movie just as important - arguably more important - than "Toy Story." Most of us do have toys that we love as children, but eventually out-grow as we get older (just imagine the rather heart-breaking flashback sequence explaining Cowgirl Jessie's history). I had a collection of stuffed animals as a child and I used to take them everywhere with me because I loved being home so much and they reminded me of being home. I'm 24 now; I didn't get rid of them - I'm not sure I could ever bring myself to do such a thing - but I do keep them on a shelf in my bedroom closet. See what I mean? This is the sort of nostalgia factor that "Toy Story 2" elicits from the viewer and makes it a more personal and heart-warming experience than the first film, in addition to simply being action-packed and more entertaining. "Toy Story 2," as I explained, is a vastly improved sequel to its predecessor, the original "Toy Story." The story soars, the animation soars and the voice-acting performances, as you would expect, soar, but its message and nostalgia factor seal the deal and make this movie one of the greatest movie sequels ever made.
10/10