Toy Story 2 (1999)

Directed by: John Lasseter, Ash Brannon, Lee Unkrich | 92 minutes | animation, comedy, adventure, family, fantasy | Original voice cast: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Kelsey Grammer, Don Rickles, Jim Varney, Wallace Shawn, John Ratzenberger, Annie Potts, Wayne Knight, Estelle Harris, John Morris, Laurie Metcalf, Jodi Benson, Joe Ranft

The reputation of ‘Toy Story’ is well known. The 1995 animated film made history as the first film to be created entirely by computer, and astonished audiences. Three-dimensional, detailed characters and environments brought an incredible sense of freedom to the animated world of ‘Toy Story’. Unfortunately, the film lacked a certain energy, which is especially evident when compared to later Pixar productions like ‘Monsters, Inc.’ (2001) and ‘Finding Nemo’ (2003)

‘Toy Story 2’ leaves what worked in the first part intact, and complements it with more action, more humor, and more colorful characters. The only downside to leaving certain story elements intact is that sometimes it’s a bit too much of a repetition exercise. In the first ‘Toy Story’ Woody had to rescue Buzz and encourage him, now the tables have turned. In terms of structure, the film is also largely the same. In ‘Toy Story’ the story started with the toys that were afraid of being replaced. Now they are afraid of being sold as second-hand stuff. The message of friendship and love is also still prominent, and just like in the first ‘Toy Story’ there is again a sentimental musical interlude.

Apart from these somewhat predictable elements, however, the film offers plenty of pleasant surprises. It starts off well: Buzz makes a spectacular entrance as the hero of a computer game, in which he takes on his nemesis Zurg. This sequence also immediately sets the tone for the many film references that ‘Toy Story 2’ is rich in. At one point we hear the first characteristic notes of “Also Sprach Zarathustra” from Kubrick’s ‘2001: A Space Odyssey’ (1968). A moment that makes it likely that Buzz’s battle cry “to infinity and beyond” is a reference to the chapter “Jupiter and beyond the infinite”, from the same film. Other movies and franchises referenced include “Star Wars” (“I am your father”), “Star Trek” (using Buzz’s Vulcan salute, which also appeared in the first installment), and “Jurassic Park” (1993 )(dinosaur in the side mirror of a car). There is also a sequence that is strongly reminiscent of the follow-up film ‘Die Hard 2’ (1990).

The film is not only fascinating because of the many winks to other films. The events and themes in the film are also worth checking out. What makes this film slightly more dynamic than the previous one is the degree of participation of the “other” toys. While the supporting role “toys” in the first film were still largely in the children’s room(s), in this film everyone takes action. Together, the toys set out to rescue Woody from the clutches of the shopkeeper who kidnapped him, adding variety and humor. The theme of the film also has quite mature implications. The sin that can form vanity is brought to the fore, when Woody realizes he is (or can become) a star, and even the subject of (im)mortality is touched upon. The message is that you have to share life with the people who really matter, and that life is valuable, even if it is short (or because of it).

Several new characters have been added to the existing cast. Three of these are part of “Woody’s roundup gang”, a group that once appeared together in a popular television series and resulted in a lot of merchandise. There’s Jessie, the hyperactive cowgirl, Bullseye, Woody’s no less active horse, and Stinky Pete, a bearded prospector who lives up to his name (in a figurative sense). The manic Jessie is enthusiastically played by Joan Cusack; Bullseye, Woody’s loyal and lovable comrade, is beautifully animated and appears to be made of fabric; and Stinky Pete is especially interesting because of his slowly becoming apparent nature. One of the biggest acquisitions is the new villain Al. Played by, and also akin to, Wayne Knight, this character is delightfully over-the-top. Knight, best known as Newman from the sitcom ‘Seinfeld’, is completely in his element here, giving his character the right cartoon-like quality.

The quality of the animation is again a step higher than in the previous film. There’s more detail to discover, as in the case of the dog’s hair and on Al’s arm, and the people look more realistic (although it may have been a choice to make the people in the first movie less realistic). than the toy). The “camera work” and the editing are generally a bit more inventive. The scene in which Woody is repaired by an old man is a feast for the eyes in this regard.

All in all, this turned out to be a more entertaining film than its predecessor, which was a bit too restrained to keep you interested all the time. Sometimes the argument “less is more” applies; in this case the opposite is true.