Toy Story 2 is not a sequel. It is an upgrade. It is a manufacturer's improvement - of staggering ingenuity. With the original Toy Story having made such a remarkable impact on the world of animation, it was inevitable that a sequel to Toy Story would appear at some point. Originally envisioned, however, as one of the straight-to-video efforts that have proven so successful for Disney *sarcastic eye roll* the folks at Pixar sensibly decided this film was worthy of a big screen outing first. This time around it's the summer after the original movie and Andy is heading off to cowboy camp, Woody in tow. Until, that is, Woody is incapacitated in a playroom accident and left on a neglected top shelf, along with a broken penguin, for repair. A further string of mishaps, mainly involving Woody's attempts to save the dusty bird from a yard sale in a brilliant rescue sequence, see him landing in the clutches of toy collector Al, and finding out facts about his past life, involving a 50s black-and-white telly show, a bunch of new characters try to convince Woody to leave Andy in the past and become a collectable. Meanwhile, Buzz and his pals set off to the toy store in order to bring Woody back to Andy's room, encountering a string of obstacles - from Tour Guide Barbie to a whole shelf of other Buzz Lightyears - along the way.
The stars of the voice track certainly seem to remember how they once identified with toys. Many of the actors from the first movie are back again, including Tom Hanks as Woody, Tim Allen as Buzz, Don Rickles as Mr. Potato Head and Jim Varney as Slinky Dog. We also see a string of new characters that Woody meets along the way as he is reunited with his TV "family": Jessie the Cowgirl perfectly voiced by Joan Cusack as she brings new life to the cast by confronting the others for the first time with a female character who's a little less domestic than Mrs. Potato Head. There is also Bullseye the Horse and Stinky Pete the Prospector voiced by Kelsey Grammer who turns into the movies alternate villain.
The toys have their own enemies, their own nightmares but for Woody his becomes a reality as he quickly finds himself the stolen property of a toy-store manager. The manager, a roly-poly suburban creep in a plaid shirt, has long been a fan of an old television show called Woody's Round-up, where Wild West puppets on strings act out their adventures. His dastardly plan is to sell the toys to a collector in Japan, luckily Buzz nd the rest of the gang help just in the nick of time.
Toy Story 2 conjures a brilliant dilemma out of nowhere, making the toys' dependent relationship with children a disturbing analogy to children's fearful relationship with adults. It enacts the child's deepest fear of abandonment, weakness and vulnerability. And it is at this crux that the picture unveils its showstopping moment: the heartrending song from Jessie the Cowgirl, written by Randy Newman - When She Loved Me - telling of how Jessie was thrown aside by her owner, Emily. This is a tear-jerker that was a risk by Lasseter as it was the first time a full length song has been featured in a non-musical, animated movie.
In a sense, Toy Story 2 attempts to collapse not merely the distinction between reality and animation, but between enjoying the product in the cinema and enjoying it in the toyshop: conflating it into one happy retail experience. But it simultaneously embraces the temporariness and disposability of the experience, as part and parcel of growing up. It is an awe-inspiring display of special effects, and its characterisation. As well as being a landmark of sorts in commercial cinema, Toy Story 2 really is that mythical beast: an extremely enjoyable picture for all ages. The thing that strikes you immediately is the texture of the animation. The fully digitised cinema is able to convey shadow and reflection, as well as every nuance of voice and movement. The pictures really are a marvel to look at. And all the while these toys put their characters at the disposal of a hilarious plot. Motion is so fine-tuned that the film can stage high adventure in traffic, on baggage-moving machinery at an airport or anywhere else that comes to mind. Like the Japanese landmark ''Princess Mononoke,'' this kind of animation catapults past reality to create whole new realms of imagination. Pixar came a long way between the original and the making of the Toy Story sequel, they stopped avoiding animating human characters and improved by including details such as hair, movement and texture. Pixar continue to show how they are the leading innovators in animation today.
Easter Eggs
#1 Pizza Planet Truck & A113
This may not be a subtle easter egg since the toys actually car-jack the truck, it has an important part in the plot of the film. It get’s Buzz to the airport in time to save Woody. When the toys get to the airport, there is an announcement over the PA for “LassetAir Flight A113.” which also refers to John Lasseter.
#2 A Bug's Life
The sequel also features a few nods to the previous film, A Bug’s Life. When Mr. Potato Head brings his missus her ear, the latter is reading a book that includes a picture of Flik and Dot. Thee is also the calendar behind Rex and Heimlich get brushed aside by Buzz as he's pushing through the weeds and he doesn't even notice them. In the segment in Al's Toy Barn, where the gang is trying to locate Woody, just before Buzz discovers the Buzz Lightyear aisle, look in the background just behind Buzz. You will see Bug's life action figures. A "Flick" is lying on the ground.
#3 Tourguide Barbie
After Barbie stops driving the main characters in the car, she pulls over and says, "Remain seated, please. Permanecer sentados, por favor". This is the recorded message given on the Matterhorn Bobsled ride at Disneyland when the ride is over.
#4 Star Wars References
In the opening sequence, the sound of Buzz Lightyear's breathing is Darth Vader's. Then when he fires his gun it is the same sound as a Star Wars 'blaster'. Of course the more obvious reference is when Zurg tells Buzz he is his father with Buzz screaming 'NOOOOOOOO'. In Zurg's fortress in the video game, lightsaber waving sounds can be heard when Buzz moves his hand through the hologram. In addition, X-Wing laser sounds are heard when Buzz deflects the lasers with the platform.
#5 Geri's Game
The Cleaner who comes in to clean up Woody is also Geri from the short film Geri's Game. In one of his drawers, his chess pieces can be seen.
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