Fine sequel, if not quite as good as the original

Rating: 9/10 (29 September 2015)

This is the second film in the Toy Story series of films produced by Pixar. There will be spoilers ahead:
Given the success of the first film, a sequel was all but inevitable. The second film is almost as good as the first. Visually, it's a shade better, because the technology is more effective.
Though the plot is probably familiar to anyone reading this, I'll give it a quick run-through here. Woody is excited to be going to cowboy camp with Andy, but gets damaged and Andy doesn't take him. The dreaded "yard sale" takes place while Andy is gone. Discarded items, including toys wind up on tables for sale. Andy inadvertently winds up in the yard sale after he rescues "Wheezy", a new character (a toy penguin with a busted squeeker).
The first of three villains winds up stealing Woody when Andy's mom says he's not for sale. Al, who runs "Al's Toy Barn", recognizes Woody as a vintage toy he's sought after to complete a set. When the other toys see Woody taken, Buzz insists they form a rescue party and go after him.
Woody learns he's part of television and toy history. He meets the "Roundup Gang"-Jessie, Woody's horse Bullseye and Stinky Pete the Prospector. Al intends to sell the set to a toy museum in Japan and he needs Woody to complete the set.
The rest of the movie has dual threads-following the gang as they try to find and rescue Woody and the plans to take the "Roundup Gang" to Japan. There are chase sequences, a sub-plot where Buzz winds up sidetracked and a different Buzz toy (who still labors under the delusion that this is real) goes with the other toys. New toys are encountered and Woody is rescued in the end.
High points are the introduction of "Tour Guide Barbie" at "Al's Toy Barn", the entrance of Zurg as the second, rather minor, villain as Buzz's nemesis and how the songs are used. Hearing Robert Goulet's voice coming from a toy penguin is worth the price of admission all by itself!
There are movies references and there's a wonderful cross-connection with the Pixar short, Geri's Game, which I loved. Just in case any of you haven't seen the film, I won't name the third villain, but I will say that, in true Toy Story fashion, the villains all have very appropriate payback for their behavior.
This film is available on Blu-Ray and DVD and is well worth watching. Most recommended.