`Toy Story 2' – A Great Holiday Gift by Homer Yen (c) 1999
Yee-haw! The long-awaited sequel featuring Cowboy Woody (voiced by Tom Hanks) and Buzz Lightyear (voiced by Tim Allen) has finally arrived. And, if there is any movie to see this holiday season, this is it!
When the first Toy Story came to the big screen. It was a fabulous achievement in both Disney storytelling and computer-animation. We fell in love with not only Woody and Buzz, but the supporting cast of toys that included a piggy bank, Mr. Potato Head, green army men, and other playthings from the pre-Atari era. These toys stimulated the child's imagination in every way that TS2 will stimulate yours.
The underlying story is about friendship and sacrifice. Woody learns the frailty of his existence when during playtime with his owner, his arm is accidentally damaged. He is exiled away on the top shelf where he learns the fate of a toy that had not been seen in quite some time. It's Weezy, a squeaking penguin whose squeaker no longer works. Weezy will be heading for the dreaded garage sale. Woody attempts to save him. This beginning sequence is important to the concept of Toy Story. Toys do have a life of their own, and the happiness that they experience is dependent on the love that the owner gives, much like a pet. Toys feel, they long for affection, and they watch out for one another.
In trying to save Weezy, Woody winds up as an item in the garage sale. A shopper recognizes Woody as a rare collector's item. His name is Big Al (voiced by Wayne Knight) and he quickly snatches this rare find and drives off. Buzz and his crew of toys must get Woody back. Using the unique mapping abilities of Etch-a-Sketch, they embark on a dangerous search and rescue mission across town. To cross a street for example, they hide underneath orange traffic cones, which force oncoming cars to swerve left and right through the ad hoc construction zone.
Meanwhile, Woody learns why he was of such interest to Big Al. Woody is one of an ensemble of toys called the Roundup Gang. The other members of the gang include Cowgirl Jessie (voiced by Joan Cusack), Stinky Pete (voiced by Kelsey Grammer), and a horse named Bullseye. He is further amazed to learn that his popularity stemmed from an old black and white television puppet show. A Japanese museum wants to collect the entire ensemble. Without Woody, the others are worthless and would be locked away forever. It's a fate that no toy ever wants to experience. Jessie pleads with Woody to stay recalling her experience as a toy once loved but then discarded once her owner grew up. Stinky Pete, still in its original box, laments the fact that nobody would ever love a doll the way he looks. Their concerns touch Woody, for he knows that it may just be a matter of time before Andy forgets about him, especially with his damaged arm. But Buzz tells Woody that it's better to be loved for a little while than to be locked away behind a glass partition in some museum.
Like the first Toy Story, TS2 uses the same state-of-the-art computer animation. There is enormous attention to details, and the film goes much further than being just a Sunday school lesson about friends. Terrific shots of humor abound throughout the film, and for the older set, there is also a great deal of action, as the fate of Woody becomes unclear. Will Buzz be able to convince him to return? Will Big Al get his way and ship him off to Japan. The 20-minute finale is nothing less than spectacular. I was thoroughly impressed with the skillfulness of the animation, the pace of the story, and the ability of the writers to remind us that toys are as magical as our own childhood. Far better than the original, TS2 should be atop your movie wishlist.
Grade: A
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