Even better than the first

Rating: 10/10 (18 July 2010)

Often sequels are just an excuse to bleed a few more dollars out of the viewer my turning a good film into a so-so franchise, this however manages to be that rare thing; a sequel that surpasses the original. Woody, Buzz and all the other toys from the first film are back for a new adventure; when Woody is stolen by a toy store owner who needs an original 'Woody' toy to complete a collection of 'Woody's Roundup' toys Buzz and the others must set off to rescue him. Woody however is conflicted about what he should do, he wants to return home to Andy and the other toys but if he does the other toys from the collection he is part of will be put into storage again.
The story is packed with thrills such as the toys causing mayhem as they try to cross a busy road and comedy such as where 'Buzz' and his Nemesis Zurg re-enact the most famous scene from 'The Empire Strikes Back'. This story includes some great new characters such as Jesse the Cowgirl, Stinky Pete the Prospector and Woody's Horse Bullseye. The film even manages a joke about the short supply of Buzz Lightyear toys after the release of the first will which not only doesn't seen too self-referential but adds greatly to the story when Buzz gets replaced by another Buzz Lightyear toy who still believes he can fly and fire lasers. Even though the film is aimed at children the story should appeal to adults just as much and take them back to the innocent days of their childhood when they too found happiness in a box of assorted toys.