Pixar Retrospective: "Toy Story 2"
"Toy Story 2" (1999)
Starring: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen
Directed by: John Lasseter
For their third theatrical treat, pixar decided to serve another round with the "Toy Story" gang, returning to the foundation that made them a household name. Initially deemed a direct-to-video sequel, but was later converted to a theatrical release. Based on the strength of original, the scope of this movie, and it's new batch of memorable characters, it's amazing to think this may have ended up along the likes of "The Lion King 1.5" and "Cinderella 3" in the pantheon of disney's direct-to-video B-movie list.
After a successful welcome of Buzz Lightyear and a new dog to the gang, Andy's toys are enjoying their lives, when Woody gets a bit of a tear in his arm. This leads to him finding Wheezy, who gets tagged for a yard sale. In a daring rescue attempt, Woody ends up being stolen by Al (yes, Al from Al's Toy Barn!) who tries to fancy him up for a museum in Japan. After a realization of his famous past, Woody decides to go. It takes Buzz, new Buzz, Zurg, an airport chase, and Stinky Pete to finally bring Woody back home.
This film was filled with a bunch of little treats. Seeing Buzz see how oblivious he was in the first movie (via new Buzz) was funny. Zurg's battle with new Buzz was fun, especially since we saw the virtual version when Rex was trying to fight him. And the classic line from "The Empire Strikes Back" was made all the funnier with new Buzz's shocked face.
The movie was greatly enhanced by the expanded scope. Whereas the first film took place in four major locales: Andy's house, Sid's house, Pizza Planet, and the gas station/car, this one took us to some vast new locations: a huge toy store, a new apartment, the airport, and an airplane. The story itself was also expanded in scope, adding more to Woody's overall backstory. And, in almost a reference to it's sequel, it ends with Woody and Buzz reflecting on a life once Andy grows up. It's almost as if "Toy Story 3" were in their minds at the time.
The entire supporting cast is fantastic. Mr. Potato Head, Hamm, Rex, and Slinky are the major returning characters here, with the Bo, spelling machine, troll, and a few others around for a bit. The army men have a much smaller role this time around.
It's hard to say that anything can beat the original "Toy Story," just because it's so classic. But I'd say the "Toy Story" films are one of the rare cases where each sequel is better than the one before it. An expanded scope, a hint at deeper themes, and that sad montage of Jesse losing Emily makes this film another classic in pixar's ever-expanding library of classics.
Starring: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen
Directed by: John Lasseter
For their third theatrical treat, pixar decided to serve another round with the "Toy Story" gang, returning to the foundation that made them a household name. Initially deemed a direct-to-video sequel, but was later converted to a theatrical release. Based on the strength of original, the scope of this movie, and it's new batch of memorable characters, it's amazing to think this may have ended up along the likes of "The Lion King 1.5" and "Cinderella 3" in the pantheon of disney's direct-to-video B-movie list.
After a successful welcome of Buzz Lightyear and a new dog to the gang, Andy's toys are enjoying their lives, when Woody gets a bit of a tear in his arm. This leads to him finding Wheezy, who gets tagged for a yard sale. In a daring rescue attempt, Woody ends up being stolen by Al (yes, Al from Al's Toy Barn!) who tries to fancy him up for a museum in Japan. After a realization of his famous past, Woody decides to go. It takes Buzz, new Buzz, Zurg, an airport chase, and Stinky Pete to finally bring Woody back home.
This film was filled with a bunch of little treats. Seeing Buzz see how oblivious he was in the first movie (via new Buzz) was funny. Zurg's battle with new Buzz was fun, especially since we saw the virtual version when Rex was trying to fight him. And the classic line from "The Empire Strikes Back" was made all the funnier with new Buzz's shocked face.
The movie was greatly enhanced by the expanded scope. Whereas the first film took place in four major locales: Andy's house, Sid's house, Pizza Planet, and the gas station/car, this one took us to some vast new locations: a huge toy store, a new apartment, the airport, and an airplane. The story itself was also expanded in scope, adding more to Woody's overall backstory. And, in almost a reference to it's sequel, it ends with Woody and Buzz reflecting on a life once Andy grows up. It's almost as if "Toy Story 3" were in their minds at the time.
The entire supporting cast is fantastic. Mr. Potato Head, Hamm, Rex, and Slinky are the major returning characters here, with the Bo, spelling machine, troll, and a few others around for a bit. The army men have a much smaller role this time around.
It's hard to say that anything can beat the original "Toy Story," just because it's so classic. But I'd say the "Toy Story" films are one of the rare cases where each sequel is better than the one before it. An expanded scope, a hint at deeper themes, and that sad montage of Jesse losing Emily makes this film another classic in pixar's ever-expanding library of classics.
posted by DarthDooku at
11:01 PM
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