11 years ago Pixar created an absolute phenomenon. When they released the original Toy Story they had no idea what a success the film would be. It took the world by storm, and it's a wonder it happened at all, Disney shut production down after a terrible screening and all was lost, however they were convinced to continue and the film became the biggest film of 1995. Toy story changed the face of family entertainment. It was the first full feature length animated films and it dazzled audiences and led the way for future animated films. The man responsible for convincing disney execs to continue production of the Toy Story project was a slightly younger John Lasseter, the director who four years later directed the sequel - Toy Story 2.
The story is epic and had to be modified in order to make it more cinematic in scope in order to show it at the theatres as originally the film was to be released straight to video. Thankfully the film benifits from the reworking and is much moreexciting for it. Set a year or so after the oriiginal events of Toy Story and Woody is once again in trouble. He has been stolen from his owner Andy by Al McWiggen a man who loves to collect toys and is the owner of Al's Toy Barn. The other toys take it upon themselves to come to the rescue Woody.
Woody has been stolen as it turns out because he is considered a collectors item as he is based on an old TV show called Woodys Roundup, and is due to be sold to a museum in Japan along with Bullseye, Jessie and the Prospector, three other rare toys who Who Woody soon becomes friends with. Woody is soon convinced that going to the musuem is a better idea than returning to Andy because he would eventually become unloved and neglected if he did, and so turns his back on his old friends and leaves for Japan.
Woody soon has a change of heart and again the toys have a rescue mission on their hands but this time all 4 of the roundup gang have to be saved.
Can the toys save Woody or is it too late?
The voice acting of Toy Story films has always been exceptional and the array of voice talent here is fantastic. Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack and Kelsey Grammar amongst others offer there services as voice actors for a top notch script. The picture and visuals are stunning and although the film was produced 7 years ago there isn't a single time where this is evident. The CGI animation techniques used in production look state of the art and the DVD picture is crystal clear.
What makes this version of the film extra special is the special features on offer included on an additional disc and Pixar have outdone themselves. The main feature is the audio commentary provided by Lasseter and his creative team. The chat is upbeat and jovial, I particularly enjoyed listening to them point out all of the films referenced to in the film, such as Jurassic Park and The Empire Strikes Back to name just two. The fake outtakes on the DVD also made me laugh as these I was familiar with from the first disc but there are also clever interviews with Buzz and Woody which are also an entertaining watch. Along with a making of documentry, some production featurettes, deleted scenes and games this is a package that covers all angles of Toy Story 2, not leaving a single aspect of TS2 uncovered. This DVD confirms TS2 as the CGI film to beat.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Production Year: 1995 - Family - Director: John Lasseter - Original Language: English - Classification: Parental Guidance - Starring: Tom Hanks, Annie Potts, Tim Allen, Jim Varney, John Morris, John Ratzenberger, Don Rickles
I completely agree that this is worthy sequel, I find with a lot of the disney films bringing out a second film for some of the classics (cinderella, lady and the tramp etc) that they're not as good. But I absolutely loved this film!
Advantages: Plot, character, animation, acting, direction, humour, pathos Disadvantages: You do need to sleep on a regualr basis so can't watch it endlessly
Advantages: Plot, character, animation, acting, direction, humour, pathos Disadvantages: You do need to sleep on a regualr basis so can't watch it endlessly
![Toy Story 2 (2 Disc Collector's Edition) [1999] [DVD]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/78507241.jpg "Toy Story 2 (2 Disc Collector's Edition) [1999] [DVD]")
very helpful by (8%):
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