Toy Story 2 is the perfect film to carry the Disney torch into the next century. Good old Walt's studio became synonymous with heartwarming and purely innocent children's fare during the last 75 years. Branches from the Mouse House like Touchstone and Miramax adapted to adult genres as well, making stirring and suspenseful dramas. This product of the Magic Kingdom isn't too lowbrow for adults nor highbrow for children; Toy Story 2 is the perfect family film and the happiest of all compromises.
"Back in 1995, retailers did not order enough toys to meet demand." Tour Guide Barbie speaks a truth that almost all of us remember vividly. (That was after Power Rangers and before Tickle Me Elmo.) It is no coincidence that this movie is opening twenty four hours before the year's biggest retail shopping day.
The original tale of the toys was a phenomenon. So was the original Austin Powers. Remember what happened when that sequel rolled around a few months back? It made more money in its first weekend than the first Austin Powers did in its entire theatrical run. And with Pokemon quickly fading after a huge opening, Toy Story 2 can expect enormous box office numbers, enhanced by retailers' ability to learn from their previous mistakes.
Woody (voice of Tom Hanks), Buzz (voice of Tim Allen) and the rest of the gang are all back for their next great adventure. This time around, the villain isn't the little boy next store, it is the big man with the toy store. Al (voice of Wayne Knight) spots Woody at a yard sale and realizes that our former hero is the missing piece to a very valuable collection. Soon Woody is abducted and living with the rest of the Roundup Gang, a series of dolls from an old television show that was canceled after its first week. Our new hero, Buzz Lightyear, jumps to the rescue explaining "Woody once risked his life for me. I couldn't call myself a friend if I weren't willing to do the same." He is joined by Mr. Potato Head (voice of Don Rickles), Slinky Dog (voice of Jim Varney, Rex the dinosaur (voice of Wallace Shawn) and Hamm the piggy bank (voice of John Ratzenberger). Their mission entails a venture across town and should they make an error the consequences are obvious: "ham sandwich with fries and a hot dog" plus a couple of toys for the not-so-happy meal.
Pixar, the animation company behind this feat, starts the movie with a short film. In the immediate wake of Pikachu's Vacation, a rather unfortunate opening piece from Pokemon: The First Movie (of course, everything in that movie is rather unfortunate), comparisons must be drawn. Toy Story 2's opening is a cute and very short sequence involving two lamps and two balls. It is introduced at Pixar's first film from 1986 (most kids in the audience will likely group that year and the stone age next to each other). Pikachu's Vacation is an original piece that drags on for some 20 minutes and is absolutely indecipherable. Needless to say that quantity isn't quality.
Toy Story 2 also thrives off of sheer eye candy. The animation is so real that you often wonder if it really is animation or some sort of Roger Rabbit-like combination of cartoons and people. This is best highlighted by the ending sequence which takes place at (Caution: SPOILER ahead) an airport and a mid-feature scene with a major highway.
The gang is back and better than ever, there is no question about it. Buzz Lightyear says it best, this film is headed "to infinity and beyond!"
By : Mac VerStandig
Source: rec.art.movies.reviews newsgroup
Rating: 0
Q: I've heard that "Toy Story 2" is better than the original. Is this true? A: "Better" is relative. The first edition did the work of establishing the characters, and the score was more solid. "2" takes risks like adding new characters and sending nearly the whole cast on the road to rescue Woody. The sequel has more action scenes, probably because Hollywood believes we viewers will surely be satisfied by more action. On the whole, it's a very impressive film, and I wouldn't think an Oscar nomination would be far-fetched.
Q: What was your favorite part? A: The animation never fails to amaze me. I think the pioneers of cartoons would be fascinated by this technology. Sometimes it's like seeing an exhibit of photorealist paintings: you have to keep reminding yourself these images have been created! I also like all the material put in for Boomers. My wife was particularly impressed by the detail given to the old "Woody's Roundup" show - lunchboxes and record players and novelty toys, everything resembling kid stuff from 40 years ago. So hype is not new. My 11 year-old daughter liked Woody's sidekick Jessie, the strong-willed cowgirl voiced by Joan Cusack. And both my children liked the "Star Wars" and "Jurassic Park" allusions. (When Mr. Potato Head - voiced by Don Rickles - threw his hat, I wasn't the only one to think "Oddjob.")
Q: So what's the plot, basically? A: While he's rescuing a rubber penguin named "Wheezy" from a yard sale, Woody (Tom Hanks) accidentally ends up in the hands of a toy collector and dealer. This slimy character, Al (voiced ably by Wayne Knight), actually steals Woody, after Andy's mom pulls the sheriff doll from the sale. To sum up, the main plot consists of the main characters Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen), Hamm (John Ratzenberger), Rex (Wallace Shawn) and Rickles as the potato, trying to locate and retrieve Woody. The complications include Woody's discovery that he's a classic doll from the Howdy Doody era, worth much money to a toy museum in Japan, which is willing to pay the wily Al generously. His reunion with Jessie, a sister-like pal, Bullseye the loyal and fleet horse, and Stinky Pete the Prospector (Kelsey Grammer) is intriguing, especially the grainy segments of the television show featuring the marionette-like dolls doing routines as simple as the ones Andy does with his dolls. At one point Woody can't decide whether 'tis nobler to wear out in the hands of a loving child, or be preserved with his old-time buddies behind museum glass.
Q: How about the non-animation aspects of the movie? A: The script is better written than many live-action movie scripts. The dialogue is snappy and quirky, developing the characters easily. It's a very kid-friendly film, a fact welcome in these days when most offerings in a mutiplex are R ratings. There are probably fewer jokes per minute in this film, but as I've said, a little more action. The music is still strong, but the two reprises of "You've Got a Friend" (one by Robert Goulet as Wheezy!) suggest the original movie has the edge in score. Camera - or computer - angles are inventive and consistently clever, using the best options of the medium.
Q: Tom Hanks or Tim Allen? A: Again, relative. Whoever you like. They are both so well cast! Hanks' Woody seems natural with virtually any character he encounters; there's a charming scene in which he puts Andy's real puppy through a series of tricks, and rubs the dog's belly until its leg waves in scratching. Tim Allen is expert at Buzz's bravado; the spaceman realizes he's a toy, and it's hilarious when he meets another Buzz doll, with the same voice, who has not been informed of the truth.
Q: Here's an important question. Will you buy the video? A: A sure thing. It will be a great one to watch again and again, especially if you have kids. It's as good as any Disney except, perhaps, "Beauty and the Beast." John Lasseter and his co-directors have put scads of care and work into this production, and the jokes and cultural references alone are enough to qualify it as a classic. Recommended for all ages, this movie is a sure bet to entertain parents and kids out for a nice afternoon, teens on a group date, or seniors, who will love a cameo by Geri of the chess cartoon "Geri's Game."
