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Toy Story 2 – A Review by Film Nerd

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Director: John Lasseter

Cast: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Kelsey Grammer, Don Rickles, Jim Varney, Wallace Shawn, John Ratzenberger

Synopsis: Buzz, Woody and the gang are back for another adventure.   While Andy is away on Cowboy Camp (torn stitching prevents Woody from joining), Andy’s mother holds a yard sale.   Woody inadvertently get’s stolen by a collector as a result.   Buzz leads a crack team of Toys for his rescue, while Woody himself learns about his own history.

A review by Film Nerd.

I do have friends that consider this a superior chapter in the franchise to the original itself.   If history shows this to be true, this is an incredible feat, as while sequels can often bring nostalgia of an old favourite film, they can just as easily be a reminder of how much better the original was.   Unfortunately for me, the latter is the case with Toy Story 2.

Do not get me wrong, this is an incredible film on its own.   The humour is great, and maintains that unique ability to entertain the target younger audience as well as an older audience that may wish to see it.   It is incredibly clever, and delivers all you could want from a sequel.   In this case I am referring to revisiting old characters that are almost friends, as well as introducing new characters to the mix to keep it fresh.   When these characters are voiced by Joan Cusack and Kelsey Grammer, then a lot of boxes are ticked.

So yes this is a great film, and yet I cannot bring myself to give it 5 stars.    It is a victim of comparison.   The original Toy Story for me reawakened childhood memories and gave them a new perspective.   Toy Story 3 succeeded in doing the same for me, even had me going through an old toy box to find my childhood favourite.    Toy Story 2 for me is a high quality film, yet it just lacks the resonance that the films that bookend it have for me.

4 stars out of 5

Toy Story on IMDB

Toy Story on Rotten Tomatoes

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Toy Story – A Review by Film Nerd

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Director: John Lasseter

Cast: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Don Rickles, Jim Varney, Wallace Shawn, John Ratzenberger

Synopsis: The revolutionary first full length feature from Pixar, now one studio that consistently delivers the highest quality of film.   Toys come to life and interact when their owners are not around to see it.   Woody is Andy’s favourite toy, that is of course until his birthday, when he receives a Buzz Lightyear.

A review by Film Nerd.

It almost seems ridiculous reviewing such a well-loved film, when who really needs to see it reviewed.    Everyone I know who has seen it loves this film, and it was the shining standard to which all subsequent Pixar films were compared.   I proceed however, and I am at a loss to determine whether it is due to my OCD requiring me to completely review entire franchises (see my Toy Story 3 review here), or whether I just want to wax lyrical about what is unquestionably a brilliant film.

Toy story redefined what a children’s movie could be.   Disney has often made its films work on many levels, providing entertainment as well as education to young viewers, whether it be dealing with loss such as in the case of Bambi’s mother, or being true to ourselves and our own self-worth, as in Aladdin.    Toy story continues this trend, providing subtle yet definite messages about the values of friendship and accepting others, even in the face of jealousy.    Toy story went somewhat further though.   It has a certain level of wit that not only speaks to the young, but also that speaks to the adults dragged along to the cinema with their kids.   It is a true crowd pleaser, regardless of age.   It is not wonder that Bride of Film Nerd is determined to own all Pixar in Blu-Ray quality.

Speaking of which, the Blu-ray transfer breathes new life into already well-established breath-taking images.   In HD, it is even easier to forget you are watching an animation, leaving it possible to be just absorbed by the narrative.   You may know every significant moment before it happens, but that really does not matter.    Toy Story is as fresh today as it was 16 years ago, and just as relevant.   How many films can be claimed to have had such success??

5 stars out of 5.

 

Toy Story on IMDB

Toy Story on Rotten Tomatoes

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The Princess Bride – A Review by Film Nerd

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Director: Rob Reiner

Cast: Cary Elwes, Robin Wright, Mandy Patinkin, Chris Sarandon, Christopher Guest, Wallace Shawn, Andre the Giant, Fred Savage, Peter Falk, Peter Cook, Mel Smith, Carol Kane, Billy Crystal

Synopsis: A young boy (Savage) is ailing in bed when his often irritating Grandfather (Falk) visits.   The Grandfather wishes to read him a book that his father read to him, The Princess Bride.   Despite initial fears that this would be a “kissing book”, the Grandson finds himself being drawn into a narrative of mythical berasts, adventures on land and sea, sword fighting, and more…

A review by Film Nerd.

On learning that Cary Elwes was to be visiting Sydney for Supanova this year, my Bride and I started reminiscing over some of his great roles.   I am not surprised she did not jump for films like Saw, Kiss the Girls, or Glory, though of course she did start smiling at Robin Hood: Men in Tights, Liar Liar, and Hot Shots! However I was shocked to discover she had never seen The Princess Bride, an error I sought to rectify immediately.

Many years have past, so some of the more fantastical elements of this story do come off as cheap special effects.   Though of course, to my knowledge I can’t recall if they always came off as cheap sepcial effects or not.   That however does not matter at all.   What counts here is the story.   It is full of cliche and predictability, there is no question of that.   It does however maintian a sense of humour throughout, and despite being much older now than my first viewing, the story still successfully won me over yet again.

How couild it not???   To this day I still hear close friends (some of whom contribute to ROTFN) sall out classic quotes like “Inconceivable!”, “As you Wish”, and the most popular “Hello, my name is Inigo Montoya, you killed my father, prepare to die!!”.   I also find it amazing that my credulity of the film even now mirrors that of the Grandson.   As the story starts I am thinking “this is not as good as I remember, this is so over the top”.   Then by the end, I am rooting for our heroes and what they stand for, and of course, who really cares if it IS a kissing book as well.

I will not go into detail like I normally do on plot or acting.   Most people reading this have probably already seen it.   Those that haven’t, rectify this mistake.   As long as you are young at heart you will have a good time.   Even if you are not, look at the cast list above, which is stellar.   The comedy alone will be enough to see you through 90 great minutes.

4 stars out of 5

The Princess Bride on IMDB

The Princess Bride on Rotten Tomatoes

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