Toy Story 2 (Disney 3D) - Review
Review by Cassam Looch
HAVING only recently experienced the joys of Toy Story on the big screen, Disney and Pixar now follow it up with a film widely regarded as one of the greatest sequels ever.
It might be a re-release, but in glorious 3D this is again another experience it is impossible not to wholeheartedly recommend.
Having found a happy home at the end of Toy Story, the gang are settling into a familiar routine. Andy is as happy as ever and Woody is excited to be going with him on a cowboy camp trip away.
Unfortunately, in all the excitement Woody is damaged and Andy decides not to take his favorite toy along… consigning him to the dusty shelf where all the forgotten or broken playthings end up on.
As if that wasn’t bad enough, Woody finds himself being stolen by a collector who spots the true potential of the item at hand and plans to make a pretty profit by selling him on to a wealthy Japanese museum.
Buzz Light-year vows to rescue his friend and sets off in search of the collector but has Woody found a new home where he will be more welcome?
The blend of heartfelt moments, childhood nostalgia and sheer entertainment make this the classic it is. The nostalgia from all Disney/Pixar films has always been strong, but in the Toy Story franchise they are inherent to the characters as well as the plot.
Everyone played with toys as a child just as everyone remembers watching Disney films at home and at the cinemas. Combine these two emotive subjects and you have a film liable to have you crying like a baby… especially during the highly-charged Jessie’s Song midway through the film.
There is clear character development to be seen from the first outing, with Woody and Buzz coming across as a well-rounded pairing and this despite spending most of the film apart.
Yes, there are more characters (something of a sequel convention in Hollywood) but they never feel forced… indeed, they add a wonderfully rich depth to the story.
Stinky Pete and Cowgirl Jessie not only draw us into a new world but also help give us an added insight into Woody and his origins. The animation has also moved on from the first film with the humans looking less ‘plastic’ with realistic flesh tones and movements.
Guaranteed to put on a smile on your face, this is also a perfect appetizer to the upcoming third film in the franchise. Toy Story 3 will also be in Disney 3D (arguably the best version of the technology out there) and unlike it’s predecessors the new film will have been made with the added dimension in mind.
It’s almost redundant to say it as it has become a well worn cliche, but Pixar and Disney never let you down when it comes to this sort of film.
Packed with great animation, inventive story telling and enough gags to keep anyone chuckling along throughout Toy Story 2 in 3D is one not to be missed.
Certificate: U
UK Release Date: January 22, 2010