TOY STORY 2 IN 3D

Pixar and Disney are re-releasing the original TOY STORY and TOY STORY 2 in 3D in a special double feature, in advance of next summer’s highly anticipated 3D movie TOY STORY 3.

TOY STORY 2 has some of the most emotionally powerful, exciting and hilarious moments ever put into an animated feature. And, the 3D process brings those elements right into the viewer’s lap.

Once again, Pixar has created another timeless classic. Seeing the movie again is like visiting an old friend.

Below is our original review as it appeared in MOVIEGUIDE®:

It would be very difficult to be too enthusiastic about TOY STORY 2. In a year when filmmakers seem to have forgotten how to structure a good story, TOY STORY 2 shocks and entertains us by doing just that. Built on one of the most seamless, well-crafted story structures in recent memory, TOY STORY 2 is a truly great, entertaining movie that parents should want their children to see. In fact, parents and other discerning adults should want to see this movie for themselves. In most cases, such a stirring recommendation is dangerous since it will raise expectations unrealistically. However, in this case, TOY STORY 2 is so well crafted it is doubtful that anybody will be disappointed.

Just when filmgoers think they are going to get a familiar retread of TOY STORY, they get a heart-rending movie that actually avoids some of the objectionable elements in the original such as the vicious Sid and his grotesque creations. Even the meanest bad guy here looks majestic and ends up playing ball with his newfound son. Therefore, Dads should not expect another Hollywood movie that maligns them, but rather one that affirms them. Really, what TOY STORY 2 does is affirm parents, and the toys even become metaphors for parents.

In the original TOY STORY, Woody had to rescue the new “big man in the toy box,” Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen). Now it is good-hearted Woody (Tom Hanks) who gets in trouble by saving a wheezy penguin from the yard sale. In the process, a toy collector, Big Al (Wayne Knight), recognizes that Woody is a rare collectable toy that will finish off a set that is worth a significant amount of money to toy museums around the world. When Andy’s Mom refuses to sell Woody, Al, the big meanie, steals him. (However, by the end of the story, Al gets his comeuppance.)

Buzz, Hamm the piggy bank, Mr. Potato Head®, and Slinky Dog see the theft and head out after Woody to rescue him.

TOY STORY 2 is not, however, a simple paint-by-numbers chase movie. When Woody completes the collectable Woody’s roundup, he finds his old round-up pals, including Jesse (Joan Cusack), the Prospector (Kelsey Grammer) and his horse Bullseye, from his glory days of being a Western televison star on a marionette show. These pals are extremely happy to see Woody because now they can be sold to a museum where children will actually look at them, and they don’t have to be stuck in some storage box in the closet. Cowgirl Jesse tells Woody that Andy will grow up and forget about him, just like her owner forgot her and gave her away long ago. By going to the museum, Andy won’t be able to break Woody’s heart. Reading between the lines, the message is that Woody can be a celebrity. He can be famous for all time. After some wrangling and showing Woody nostalgic clips of his successful TV show, his round-up pals, including Jesse, the Prospector (Kelsey Grammer) and his horse Bullseye, convince him to come with them to the museum.

Meanwhile, Buzz and the gang encounter many obstacles including finding themselves in a toy store with many Buzz Lightyears. They encounter one of the Buzz’s who has all of Buzz’s courageous qualities, but has not learned Buzz’s gracious humility. When they finally find Woody, Woody says he is not going home with them because he is going to the museum. However, after some discussion, Woody realizes that having friendship and being loved, even for a short time, is more important than lasting fame.

This major premise is combined with many great story elements. All of these elements involve love, compassion, forgiveness, and reconciliation. Moreover, these well-crafted themes have strong references to great films. Many of the scenes play off the opening of the original STAR WARS, scenes from STAR TREK, the confrontation between Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker in THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK, great television Westerns, and many other emotive moments from film and television history.

The Western motif plays like a wonderful homage to America’s history and to the good Christian values that built this country and that made the Golden Age of Hollywood and the Golden Age of Television so memorable and worthwhile. It also provides an intelligent cultural insight into some of the important changes that have occurred in popular culture during the last 40 years. Best of all, the movie also has several positive biblical references. Thus, TOY STORY 2 not only presents a fast-paced, hilarious adventure yarn, but also pulls at the heartstrings and stimulates the mind as well.

The quality of the computer animation in TOY STORY 2 is a giant leap forward from the excellent animation in the original. The effects are jaw-dropping, and the details are amazing. They even improve upon the quality that Disney and Pixar gave audiences in last year’s A BUG’S LIFE. They are designed, however, to always serve the movie’s story, characters and themes. Viewers will want to go back to see this one again and again, as they did to see the computer-generated effects in STAR WARS I this summer, but TOY STORY 2 is definitely a more cohesive, richer piece of work.

In great scripts, characters cast a shadow. Their good qualities nearly always have a darker tone. In this story, Buzz’s shadow becomes a separate character. In fact, his fearlessness, ability and gung-ho attitude become his nemesis. The TOY STORY 2 filmmakers use such devices to build jeopardy without stressing evil, unlike many of today’s movies, but like the Golden Age of Hollywood when goodness and justice were the highest ideals of all.

Savvy film departments should use TOY STORY 2 as an example of artistic craftsmanship for years to come. Those who just want to have some good, clean fun will find all these elements working together in a hugely entertaining, funny and often exciting way.

As far as MOVIEGUIDE is concerned, TOY STORY 2 is the type of movie you would like to keep for infinity and beyond!