Toy Story 2 (Special Edition) (DVD)

Toy Story 2, released in 2000, is the sequel in the Pixar animation to Toy Story which was orginally released in 1995. I usually find that sequels are never as good as the first, mainly because you tend to loose some of the traits of characters, the plot seems quite desperate and overall, you feel like you aren't learning anything new about the characters at all. This, however, is a complete exception and I rate it high above the first.

...lot more, 'adventurous'. The first Toy Story focusses primarily in the boy, 'Andy's' room with a small adventure out to a 'Pizza Palace' where the two main characters are Woody and Buzz. The other toy's characters are skimmed over the surface. With this film, it not only incorporates nearly all the characters into the adventure (such as Mr Potato head, Hamm the piggy bank, Rex the dinosaur and slinky the dog) but the adventure is more daring, plus, ... more

Toy Story 2, released in 2000, is the sequel in the Pixar animation to Toy Story which was orginally released in 1995. I usually find that sequels are never as good as the first, mainly because you tend to loose some of the traits of characters, the plot seems quite desperate and overall, you feel like you aren't learning anything new about the characters at all. This, however, is a complete exception and I rate it high above the first.

The adventure is way bigger and better than the first and the adventure is a lot more, 'adventurous'. The first Toy Story focusses primarily in the boy, 'Andy's' room with a small adventure out to a 'Pizza Palace' where the two main characters are Woody and Buzz. The other toy's characters are skimmed over the surface. With this film, it not only incorporates nearly all the characters into the adventure (such as Mr Potato head, Hamm the piggy bank, Rex the dinosaur and slinky the dog) but the adventure is more daring, plus, this time, it is Buzz saving Woody. This allows us to develop our relationship with Buzz. We learn there is a light, witty and insecure side to his show of uniformity and leadership. Woody is as comical as ever, delivering energy, fun and enthusiasm. We learn in this film where Woody's loyalties lie - with his owner Andy, or with the desire to be a world wide phenomenal (as his doll is a collectors item, ready to be museumed).

This story is all about the development of loyalty and friendship between all the characters (including Andy and his toys). The friendship between Buzz and Woody is conveyed more strongly in this film as Buzz and the other toys risk everything to retrieve Woody; Woody is torn between leaving his new friends (Jessie the cowgirl, Bulls- eye the horse and 'stincky pete') to return to Andy, which would leave them in storage.

The overall plot then before I continue. The plot is bigger and more 'thought out' than the first. There are more quirky twists (we learn something about 'Zurg' and Buzz- Hint, it's related to Star Wars!); terrific humour and one liners from all the characters, plus the introduction to new characters, so that we can actually learn something new from the film:

Woody is originally destined to go to Cowboy camp with Andy, his human owner. However, Andy rips his arm and is placed on the top dusty shelf so as not to risk his arm coming completely off at camp. Woody is distraught and starts to doubt how much longer he will last. On the shelf he finds a long forgotten friend, a squeaky penguin called 'wheezy' who lost his squeaker. Andy's mum puts Wheezy into a yard sale and Woody heroically ventures out to the yard on 'Buster' (Andy's loveable puppy) to rescue him. Unfortunately, Woody falls and is found by a fat ugly man (bearing in mind that all the human characters are also animated - though the animation is fantastic) called AL, who is a toy collector and works at 'Als Toy barn'. He see's Woody and steals him as he recognises Woody to be a rare collectors item which would complete his collection and earn him lots of money. Buzz in vain tries to catch the car but only manages to retrieve a single clue - a feather.

After much thought, the toys learn about Als Toy Barn and vow to set out to rescue Woody. In the adventure in:

Buzz: The Space man. Short, 'handsome' and brave, Buzz is a brilliant leader with a dedicated mission that cannot be diminished. He is loyal to Woody and see's it as his duty to rescue an old friend who did the same for him. He delivers a 'lighter' and wittier performance which is a joy to see- voiced by Tim Allen (From 'Galaxy Quest' the 'Santa Clause series' and 'the Shaggy dog' and sitcom' Home improvement')

Hamm the Piggy bank: I love Ham. We've always seen quite a serious side to Ham but in this film he delivers some great humour. For example, his coin stopper accidently falls out during there journey and he blushes and covers himself up - 'Ok, no one look till I've got my cork back in!'. My favourite has to be a proposal made by Mr Potato head, that he, Ham, slinky the dog and Rex the dinosaur stack themselves up and pretend they are delivering a pizza in order to get into the room. Ham re-suggests - 'Why not make that a Ham Sandwich with fries and a hotdog'. When Rex indignantly questions where he fits in, Ham replies - 'You can be the free toy that comes with the meal!'. No doubt Andy sometimes has a Mcdonalds then!

Slinky the Dog - Slinky is one of those 'slinky' toys that expand, with a dog face, springy middle and dog's back end. I've always found him a little 'dry' but he's been given some mild humour in this. When Buzz asks 'Who's behind?' during their journey', Slinky replies 'mine' as his backside slowly walks up to his head and falls down from exhaustion. I think he does need to make an appearance in this because of his close friendship in the first.

Rex the Dinosaur - Rex, I can imagine, is quite popular with the younger kids because of his dim wittiness. He's one of those plastic dinosaur toys but has a very friendly, rather goofy face to mimic his character. Indeed, Rex is accident prone, seems to mess everything up and a little slow on the uptake of events which usually acts to bring humour to the story. True, he does deliver some memorable moments; a recall a moment of him chasing the toy car in the supermarket which the toys were using to hunt for Woody(where he had fallen out being clumsy) - reminded me and was suppose to mimic, Jurassic park. I thought that was clever. I however, find him a little annoying but loveable all the same.

Mr Potato head - Now, if there's one character that never fails to make me laugh with every word that comes out his mouth, it's this guy! He oozes sarcasm in every sentences which also proves to be very entertaining. He is a toy in the shape of a potato with little holes so that you can change his eyes, nose, mouth, ears and feet. He has a 'Mrs' in this (of whom he calls his little 'Sweet potato', who is equally as funny though she is only featured at the beginning of the story, where she is packing his 'angry eyes' into his back storage. Some of my favourite lines include when he is sitting in a toy car, being driven by 'Tour Guide Barbie' and he admently reminds himself 'I'm a married spud, I'm a married spud!' before Hamm shoves him aside and implores 'then make way for the single guys!'. He also tells Buzz, when Buzz plans to cross a busy road - 'You're not turning me into a mashed potato!'.

Woody - Woody is just as loveable in this story as the first. A cow boy doll, tall and skinny who fins out that he is a rare collectors item and the main attraction of an old children's tv show called 'Woody's Roundup' which promotes lots of Merchandise of him and the 'gang' (Jessie the cow girl, Bullseyes the horse and Pete the prospector). Woody is a 'broken' character in this film and we see another side to him. He is torn between is love of Andy, but he also begins to doubt how much Andy will love him and fears, as depicted in a nightmare, being thrown away as rubbish. He spends most his time in this film with his new companions. He is a witty character who presents some funny moments and lines, such as when addressing 'Sticky Pete' after finding out his nasty plot - 'You really are sticky pete aren't you?!' he has great respect for other toys and always considers their well-being as well as his own, making him such a wonderful heartfelt character. Voiced by Tom Hanks, the performance is fab.

Jessie the cow girl - bursting with energy and enthusiasm (slightly annoying) Jessie is the new hyperactive cow girl who is Woody's companion in 'Woody's Round up'. She's a lovely character with a sad past, of which she disguises with her bubbliness. She is always willing to help a toy in need and has affection for everyone. She's also very daring and brave, providing an ideal partner for Woody (they aren't in a relationship by the way). I love the many sides to her characters and she certainly brings energy to the story.

Bullseye - the cute non-speaking and energetic stuffed horse of whom Woody rides

Sticky Pete - The prospector. He's two faced and 'the baddie' of the story, despite being part of 'Woody's round up gang'. He's a short fat little doll and look a bit like father christmas.

Al - the human who steals Woody for his collection. He's a little dim and clumsy which is perhaps why I actually like him. He brings humour from his quirky mannerisms and by the fact that he just makes me cringe!

The DVD itself is really good because there are two disks, with loads of stuff to do and watch. There are deleted scenes and out takes which have been purposefully made using the characters. There is the making of Toy Story 2 with commentary from the directors and producers; interviews with the crew who provide the voices for the characters and a debate over who is the 'hero' toy out of Buzz and Woody. There are games like 'what toy are you', sketches of the characters during production; how the toys are brought to life on screen etc...

I really enjoyed this film and typically, the ending was very 'happily ever after' for all the characters (except stinky Pete' - Even Zurg has a promising future with his 'son' (I won't say who if you haven't guessed!). I loved watching the development of the characters as if they were real people as well as getting to know the new characters. Moreover, there's a Toy Story 3 coming out next year! I can't wait!

 

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