Plot Details: This opinion reveals minor details about the movie's plot.

I originally posted an epinion on Toy Story 2 on January 24, 2000, but that's before I started writing better epinions, so I deleted the other one, and here's an update.

Sequels
When the first one hit it big and made something like 250 million dollars at the box office, you knew this one was coming. That is the way it is with most blockbusters, however most of the time you know the sequel will be worse just because of all the previous examples in Hollywood. This movie is right up there with The Godfather II, The Empire Strikes Back (also spoofed in this film), and Back to the Future II, as the only movies better then their predecessor. Well okay, maybe Back to the Future II wasn't that great, but I really have a place in my heart for it. Toy Story 2 however, is a really, really good film.

Animated Life
Sure it is an animated movie, which I hate, but it is actually entertaining. Once again Disney has teamed up with Pixar (the company Steve Jobs' ran while on break from Apple) to create a computer animated/visual masterpiece. All the major players from the original movie are back as well. Woody, Buzz Lightyear, Mr. Potato Head, Slinky Dog, etc... And they all have their respective actors doing their voices again which is great. I know for my little sister that in Aladdin 2 when Robin Williams didn't reprise his voice role as the genie, that she was deeply hurt....until he came back for Aladdin 3. Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Don Rickles and the gang are all back with some new friends.

A New Story About Toys
Joan Cusack is the voice of Jessie, a doll who was partners with the original Woody on the television show he was on. Kelsey Grammer is also here as Stinky Pete the Prospector, who was also on the show that featured Woody. A greedy toy collector stumbles upon Woody one day at a garage sale where Woody was accidentally put with the items the family was selling. The toy man grabs him and runs to his shop in great excitement for he now has all the pieces of the show that Woody was on, and can sell the dolls for quite a bit of money. Woody, of course, does not want to go along with this and is trying desperately to escape. When his friends back at home realize he is missing, they all set out to find him. From there the movie just soars.

Witty and Fresh
Through out the film, there are references to other famous movies such as Star Wars (The Empire Strikes Back to be more precise), and Jurassic Park. The plot flows nicely along because of this added bit of nostalgia. The humor in the film ranges from toddler-like to very witty and introspective. The key for this movie was finding a medium between those areas of children and adults, and I really think this film has been the closest to that in recent memory. I really love the penguin they included in this one, and to think, he almost didn't make the cut! I really, really recommend this movie, and I can't wait for the next one which I'm sure will be in theaters Christmas 2002 or 2003.

DVD Sharp
I also have to highly recommend you purchase the DVD version of this film if you really like it. The quality that comes out on the DVD is second to none, and for a movie mostly based on visuals, I think DVD is a must.

Recommended: Yes

Viewing Format: DVD