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
Trailer