One of those rare sequel that exceeds the original

Rating: 10/10 (8 July 2019)

Toy Story is already perfect. Toy Story 2 manages to even exceed its predecessor. As is common with Pixar, Toy Story 2 is an excellent film filled with over-the-top comedy, fantastic visuals, score and mature writing. It expands the franchise and adds more characters without feeling stuffed.
While the first film deals with mainly with Buzz and his fall, Toy Story 2 is about Woody and a sudden realization that he is expendable to Andy in the long run. The film also borrows the same premise from the first but is not a mere copy. In Toy Story 2 themes of age and purpose are explored without becoming preachy. When Woody was stolen and taken to a toy collector who plans to sell him, he encounters his past and realizes that he was once a famous toy. Joining him is his round up gang composed of Jessie, Bullseye and Stinky Pete. Convincing Woody that he'll find more meaning and love as a display in a museum, Woody has a crisis of either leaving his owner behind or joining his round up gang. Woody initially denies the offer and this reveals the other character's motives. Jessie was also once owned by someone named Emily but left her when she grew up. Toy Story 2 is a fantastic tale about mortality, even though the toys don't necessarily die, because even toys have to find purpose in life for without purpose life is meaningless. It all culminates in an airport chase scene. Stinky Pete is a menacing villain who can take matters into his own hands. Once again, Stinky Pete is properly written to have real and believable motivations.
The supporting cast are not mere accessories. Buzz's story is continued from the first film with the introduction of Emperor Zurg. Rex is a game junkie who loves playing Buzz's game. His arc concludes simultaneously with Buzz's.
For a film supposed to be sent directly to home release, Toy Story 2, quality wise, is beyond home release. A masterpiece and one of Pixar's finest.