As long as young people exist and older generations keep their childhood in sight, toys will always have a special place in people's hearts. "Toy Story 2" proves that computer-generated versions of these pieces of our lives can be just as endearing as the toys themselves.
This is the rare sequel that actually stands up to the original. Not only is there plenty of eye candy in the scenery and animated characters, but the story is actually thought-provoking and emotionally tugging as well.
Every compact character from the outstanding "Toy Story" is back in action, with a few new faces. Woody's (Tom Hanks, reprising his role) long-lost companions, Jessie and the Prospector (Joan Cusack and Kelsey Grammer, respectively), and Mrs. Potato Head (Estelle Harris of "Seinfeld"), add new dimensions to the lives of the toys. Mrs. Potato Head has some of the funniest lines in the film, and the Prospector proves to be one of the cruelest toys ever manufactured.
The narrative begins in Andy's bedroom, where it's business as usual for his collection of playthings. Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) now understands and accepts that he's a toy, not a space ranger, and Woody is excited about going to Cowboy Camp with Andy. After Woody accidentally gets his arm torn, he begins to worry that he will be thrown out or - even worse - sold at a yard sale.
Woody rescues one of his fellow toys, a worn-out squeaking penguin named Wheezy, from one of these yard sales but ends up being kidnapped by greedy toy-monger Al (Wayne Knight, relishing his contemptuous role). Woody soon discovers that he was a celebrity in the '50s, complete with his own television show, t-shirt, record and even breakfast cereal.
His old television co-stars, Jessie and the Prospector, convince him that he should go with them to be displayed in a museum rather than go back to Andy's, where he will eventually be thrown out. "Andy won't be taking you with him to college or on his honeymoon," the Prospector grimly points out. This sets in motion a conflict of loyalties for Woody: Is it better to bring happiness to one child or to be admired, but never held, by thousands of children in a museum?
Buzz Lightyear and the gang to the rescue! Director John Lasseter creates several memorable set pieces as the toys work their way through the gargantuan neighborhood and across a major road to get to Al's Toy Barn. They are racing against the clock: Al is in the process of selling the toys to Japan as a complete set. The toys' adventures continue inside Al's store, and climactic confrontations ensue. The action shifts from an elevator shaft to a surreally enormous luggage conveyer belt room at an airport to the wheels of an airplane. These genuinely exciting action sequences surpass anything James Bond has done lately.
Lasseter helmed the original "Toy Story" and "A Bug's Life"; clearly, he knows what he's doing. He develops the characters effectively, giving them multiple dimensions even though they are nothing but computerized pieces of wood or plastic. He also throws in several clever references, duplicating scenes from "Jurassic Park" and the "Star Wars" trilogy.
The film is even more intriguing because it works on a number of levels. The bittersweet undertones of toy neglect and the new replacing the old are illustrated by the layers of dust on Wheezy and the mold growing on Woody's old memorabilia from the '50s. It also carries the traditional Disney message: not to judge a book by its cover. Rex (Wallace Shawn) is the fiercest-looking of the toys, but he's actually kind-hearted, insecure and slightly neurotic. The Prospector seems like a jolly old chap at first, but his sinister nature slowly surfaces.
The animators capture the toy and human characters' subtle nuances perfectly. Their faces show so much emotion, at times it's easy to forget that this is a computer-generated film. The actors also demonstrate a deft understanding of their cartoon counterparts. Hanks takes Woody's glazed plastic eyes and gives them a soul with his voice. Allen also adds great depth to Buzz Lightyear by playing two incarnations of the character, one of which is mired in the same denial he felt in the first "Toy Story."
"Toy Story 2" is not merely a great sequel; it's a great film on its own. It surpasses the original in technical wizardry, scope of action and range of humor and drama. This "Story" is consistently entertaining and well worth visiting again. To infinity and beyond!
Grade: A
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