Review of Toy Story 2 (1999) by Henry P — 21 Aug 2015

8/22/15.

When Pixar set out on a 60 minute follow-up to smash-hit Toy Story, who knew it would evolve? Seriously, that's what the idea for Toy Story 2 started out as, a 60 minute direct-to-video follow up to Toy Story, not meant to be theatrically released. But with the extra half-hour and a compelling story, Toy Story 2 proves another masterpiece. What starts with Woody (Tom Hanks) being taken by an overly obsessive, money grubbing, short-tempered excuse of a collector named Al (Wayne Knight), turns into a question of whether or not a toy should be immortalized in a museum or played with until they're dumped after their kids grow up. Since Al stole Woody, Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) along with Rex (Wallace Shawn) Mr. Potato Head (Don Rickles) Slinky Dog (The late Jim Varney) and Ham the Piggy Bank (John Ratzenberger) risk their lives for Woody, because he did the same for Buzz, even when they were trapped in Sid's house, and even when the toys threw Woody out of the moving van in the previous movie. While in "captivity" Woody learns he was a character on a popular 50s TV show, and meets his round-up gang: Jessie the yodeling cow-girl (Joan Cusack) Bullseye who's Woody's horse, and Stinky Pete the Old Prospector (Voiced by the not-so-stinky Kelsey Grammer) and eventually, confronts the previously mentioned question, which is answered, but that will stay in the confines of the movie. All the characters are as lovable and compelling as ever, and we learn a new side of Rex: His gamer side. We also see Mr. Potato Head as a husband, and later (Spoiler, ohhhhhhh), and the puppy from the end of the first movie. Beautifully animated as always, we meet more human characters beyond Andy, from Al to actually seeing Andy's mom's face and the fixer. No time is wasted, and nothing comes in just to fill the run-time. Randy Newman keeps even long monologues fun to watch with his compelling score, and with a healthy dose of real songs, Toy Story 2 blends that with an amazing script and story. However, there is an untold story of Toy Story 2 you may be interested in. On this viewing, I've come to believe that Toy Story 2 is an allegory for the difference between adults who become loving parents, and adults who never have any form of children in their lives, whether biologically, adoptively, or as nieces/nephews who grab onto a piece of their hearts. Think about it: Al is greedy and because he lacks the fulfillment of a family, wife, or kids, he steals Woody to complete his collection and get rich as a fulfillment, but the toys know that there's more to life than being immortal in a museum, and (Spoiler, I will publish this theory somewhere spoilers for a movie made in 1999 that essentially everybody has seen at this point). It's an allegory we never found until more than 15 years later. If you want to prove/disprove this theory, or just have an amazing hour-and-a-half, Toy Story 2 is the right film for you!

8/18/12.

Toy Story 2. Some people say the sequel is never as good as the original. To those who say that I have two letters for you: BS! Toy Story 2 is one of the only sequels to screw that rule, beat it senseless, and flush it down the toilet. Toy Story 2 is as lovable and funny as the first Toy Story, even if it's not as groundbreaking, or written by Joss Whedon. Just like Toy Story 2 is 100% loved by critics, it's still 100% the Toy Story the first one is (and doesn't have a psychopath for an antagonist). Though originally intended as a 60 minute direct-to-video follow up, Pixar knew the story would be as great as the first, the one way they do sequels, if at all. In conclusion, Toy Story 2 is one of Pixar's best, and one of CGI animation's best to date.