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Toy Story 2

Rating

Director

John Lasseter

Screenplay

John Lasseter, Pete Docter, Ash Brannon, Andrew Stanton, Rita Hsiao, Doug Chamberlin, Chris Webb

Length

1h 32m

Starring

Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Kelsey Grammer, Don Rickles, Jim Varney, Wallace Shawn, John Ratzenberger, Annie Potts, Wayne Knight, John Morris, Laurie Metcalf, Estelle Harris, R. Lee Ermey, Jodi Benson

MPAA Rating

G

Review

What made the original “Toy Story” interesting wasn’t its plot or its characters, it was the fact that it was the first, full-length computer animated film ever made. There was no other fanfare to it and it really didn’t do much for filmmaking itself, just for the art.

Then, two years ago, the maker’s of “Toy Story” brought us the computer animated “A Bug’s Life” which turns out to be the best of the computer-animated films made so far. What does surprise however is that along with “Bug’s Life’s” great animation and wonderful characters, it had the beginning of a serious story. “Toy Story 2” takes off where Pixar stopped. They’ve taken the medium of computer animation and turned it into a serious medium of fun, character and plot that have never previously co-existed to this great extent.

“Toy Story 2” teaches us a lesson about life. When we grow older, we lose a lot of our childlike innocence and leave behind the joyous trappings of youth. Woody (voiced by Tom Hanks) has been waiting for a long time to go on a wild west-themed campout with his owner Andy (John Morris). Andy gets a little carried away and accidentally rips into Woody’s arm. He leaves poor Woody behind. His mother puts him on a shelf where he soon discovers that he’s not alone.

Wheezy (Joe Ranft), a charming little penguin with a broken squeaker has been lost and alone on the shelf ever since he was broken. Woody learns quite soon that it’s not hard to be replaced or lost when you’re broken.

When Andy’s mother (Laurie Metcalf) comes up and takes some of his old toys to be placed in the yard sale, he mounts a rescue attempt to retrieve poor Wheezy with the help of the household canine. He accidentally gets dropped and then stolen by a greedy toy storeowner (Wayne Knight) who is intent on completing his collection of Woody’s Roundup toys. A collection and heritage that Woody had no knowledge of.

While in his new prison, Woody discovers there are others, including cowgirl Jessie (Joan Cusack), Prospector Stinky Pete (Kelsey Grammer) and Woody’s faithful horse.

The search is on when Woody disappears. Buzz (Tim Allen), Mr. Potato Head (Don Rickles), Slink Dog (Jim Varney), Rex the dinosaur (Wallace Shawn) and Hamm the Piggy Bank (John Ratzenberger) go off in search of their missing friend.

This film has amazing amounts of heart and a terrific story. Near the middle of the film, we find out why Jessie doesn’t want Woody to leave her alone in the musty old cardboard boxes they’ve lived in for so long. It is explained rather tenderly and bitterly emotionally through the song “When She Loved Me,” easily the best song written for any film this year. Her previous owner grew up and didn’t want to play anymore…an experience that left her emotionally distraught and physically uncaring.

The voice-over work is terrific, the actors and their characters are wholly undistinguishable. Cusack is perfect as the voice of Jessie and Grammer does a wonderful job with his crusty old Prospector. The animation does have some flat elements at times, but overall blends nicely with the overall film.

The story is unerringly astute. It is quick and emotionally powerful. By the end, we understand how love of a child’s toy works and how we too easily relinquish our hold on childhood so that we can become more adult. We abandon our hopes and feelings about playing and move into a world of order and callousness.

“Toy Story 2” is easily the best children’s film this year. It is undoubtedly one of the funniest films of the year and a sure Oscar contender for original song and might have a good chance at best adapted screenplay and best picture of the year. A must for children and adults of all ages, it is the perfect holiday family film.

Awards Prospects

Nomination for Original Song for “When She Loved Me” is a near guarantee and a win might not be out of the question. Picture and Adapted Screenplay nominations are also possible.

Review Written

December 27, 1999