Toy Story 2

Although the toys look the same as in the 1994 feature, Pixar shows how much technology has advanced: the human characters look more human, backgrounds are superior, and two action sequences that book-end the film are dazzling. And it's a hoot for kids and adults. The film is packed with spoofs, easily accessible in-jokes, and inspired voice casting (with newcomer Joan Cusack especially a delight as Cowgirl Jessie). But as the Pixar canon of films illustrates, the filmmakers are storytellers first. Woody's heart-tugging predicament can easily be translated into the eternal debate of living a good life versus living forever. Toy Story 2 also achieved something in the U.S. two other outstanding 1999 animated features (The Iron Giant, Princess Mononoke) could not: it became a huge box-office hit. --Doug Thomas

This is a touching story, with some great twists. The animation is flawless as usual and the enjoyment level, and humor are at any all time high.


Fun movie, something for everyone   December 31, 2002
A. Burchfield (Conway, Missouri USA)
I liked a lot about this video (didn't see it in the theatre), just about the worst thing in it was the approx. 9 minutes of movie previews and commercials for other videos. Once you get past that the viewer gets to see a little short PIXAR made about two desk lamps and their antics, just about anybody ought to like that. The story itself I won't really get into except to say that the plot while somewhat kiddish is entertaining with something for everyone altough I think some gags are aimed more at adults than children.
The thing I liked most about it is the way everything was rendered so well. Final Fantasy was completely computer generated but the characters had a certain artificial action in their movements, in Toy Story 2 everything moves very well indeed. Woody & friends move more like people than puppets, the lighting is realistic, details are amazing ( I certainly remember seeing Jessie's reflection in a window). If PIXAR can do so well now (see also Monsters, Inc.)what will they be able to achieve in another 5 years.