Release Date: November 24, 1999
The Voices Of: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Wayne Knight, Joan Cusack, Kelsey Grammer, Don Rickles, John Ratzenberger, Wallace Shawn, Jim Varney, Annie Potts, R. Lee Ermey, Estelle Harris, Andrew Stanton
Directed by: John Lasseter, Colin Brady, Ash Brannon, Lee Unkrich
Distributed by: Buena Vista Pictures
MPAA Rating: G
Director John Lasseter and Pixar Animation Studios began their work together in 1984, but their most recognizable success came in 1986 when they collaborated on the computer-generated short film Luxo Jr. That animated wonder -- years and even decades ahead of its time -- introduced the world to the infamous hopping lamp that now appears on all of Pixar's studio trailers. In the thirteen years since, Mr. Lasseter and Pixar have taken the animation world by storm, creating 1995's Toy Story, the first computer-generated feature-length film; and applying that successful storytelling formula to the world of insects for greater success in 1998's A Bug's Life. But their crowning jewel and current reigning champion is the sequel to their claim to fame, Toy Story 2.
Audiences everywhere were impressed with the computer work in Toy Story, and were similarly wowed at its versatility when resurrected in A Bug's Life, but the imagery in Toy Story 2 is by far the most polished computer animation work that Hollywood has ever created. The sights and sounds onscreen are meshed almost completely without flaw, and move with a realistic fluidity that is jaw dropping. Pixar's previous two films are only tentative steps compared to this wonder of animation.
But great special effects alone do not a fantastic movie make. The script, which is penned by Andrew Stanton, Rita Hsiao, Doug Chamberlain, and Chris Webb, tells a story that is filled with wit and flourish and a grand sense of adventure. Mr. Stanton, who was a member of the writing team for the original Toy Story, takes his own formula and does it one better: he and his co-writers add to the quantity (and quality) of the in-jokes and subtle humor while still foisting a very exciting tale of toys left to their own devices. And lest anyone criticize Stanton and Company for the lack of smarts in their screenplay, let it be known that for every instance of slapstick comedy there are at least two puns to please the intelligencia of the audience.
The film begins in the familiar, friendly confines of Andy's room, where Buzz Lightyear (voiced by Tim Allen), Woody (voiced by Tom Hanks), and the rest of the toys are hurriedly preparing for Andy's departure to cowboy camp. But Andy finds that Woody has a rip in his arm and decides to leave the toy behind.
While Andy is gone, Woody accidentally finds his way into a yard sale after mounting a rescue attempt for another doomed toy. Once there, he is taken by Al, the evil toy collector (voiced by Wayne Knight, better known as Newman on TV's "Seinfeld"). It turns out that Woody was once the leading member of an ensemble cast of cowfolk from a 1950's television show called "Woody's Round-up," along with his trusty horse Bullseye, Cowgirl Jessie (voiced by Joan Cusack), and Stinky Pete the Prospector (voiced by Kelsey Grammer). With the collection complete, Al can sell the lot to a Japanese toy museum for big money, and so the rest of the toys from Andy's room have only a limited amount of time to save Woody before he becomes an artifact.
The rest of the toys are indeed the movie's highlight, for it is their scenes that are specifically designed for comic relief. All of the key players have returned, and all are voiced by the same talent as in the first film. There's Hamm the piggy bank (voiced by John Ratzenberger), Mr. Potato Head (voiced by Don Rickles), Bo Peep (voiced by Annie Potts), Rex (voiced by Wallace Shawn), and the Slinky Dog (voiced by Jim Varney). Headed up by Buzz, this gang provides the audience with equal parts adventure and misadventure, calling on classic comic writing as well as great visual artistry to highlight their quest to save Woody. In the process of rescuing Woody, they use orange cones as camouflage to cross a busy street and find their way into a gigantic superstore of toys. Both of these are fantastically produced sequences.
However, the film's greatest asset isn't its amazing imagery, but rather its ability to nimbly shift between comedy and drama. More impressive is its ability to do so within a tightly wrapped package. Directors Lasseter, Colin Brady, Ash Brannon, and Lee Unkrich have crafted a children's film which is nearly two hours in length and one that never drags. Along the way they offer physical comedy, witty puns, and hilarious parody (some of which -- Jurassic Park, Star Trek, and 2001 -- are inserted subtly and some of which -- Star Wars -- are not); but they also offer a thought-provoking message about the life of a toy with a profoundness that would put many adult films to shame. Given that all toys will eventually be discarded and forgotten or passed on, isn't it the best option to live it up while it lasts?
In answering this question, the writers give the characters of Buzz and Woody interesting opportunities to make their return appearances as foils of their own characters in a delightful reversal of roles. Buzz is now the one who must educate Woody that the life of a toy is not about self-inflated egomania but about giving joy and happiness to their child owners. Buzz also gets a chance to see a mirror image of himself when the toys find shelves upon shelves of Buzz Lightyear figurines at the toy store, and to see the pomp and circumstance that his own character trumpeted at the beginning of the first film. Both Tom Hanks and Tim Allen add much life to their characters in fine form: Allen is perfectly cast as the indefatigable Lightyear and Hanks shows off his dramatic range as Woody.
But all throughout Toy Story 2 begs -- nay, demands -- not to be defined by such black-and-white boundaries as "kid's movie" or "family movie." It is easily enjoyable by all audience members, be they two or ninety-two. It also demands not to be confined to the oft-neglected genre of animated films. The movie boasts cinematography, direction, design, and screenwriting on par with the best of Hollywood's live-action products, and in direct comparison, shoots better than par against most of them. Whereas most Hollywood franchises run out of material as the sequels abound (and indeed, Disney policy had heretofore been to release all sequels direct-to-video), there's the sense that Toy Story is just getting started. Just as surely as fans will line up to see the next James Bond release, a new legion of soda-sucking youngsters will be around to patronize Toy Story 3. And to that can only be said, "Good show!"
all contents © 1999 Craig Roush