Toy Story 2 Review
Best Price :$29.98
Nothing like the responsibility of trying to sequel what is commonly acknowledged as the motion picture that invented the computer animated film genre and yet this is exactly what Pixar was staring at when they set out to build Toy Story 2.
And to listen to John Lasseter, Ash Brannon, Lee Unkrich or any of the other Pixar writers and directors charged with the task of making the film a reality and it's clear that rather than worry about the implied responsibilities, they viewed it as an opportunity to continue on in the tradition of the first (while brining in a host of new characters to boot).
Toy Story 2 starts off with human boy Andy preparing to head off to cowboy camp with intentions of taking Woody with him. A last minute rip causes Woody's attendance to be canceled and hence leaves all the toys to their own devices.
The plot wastes very little time shifting into high gear when an obsessive toy collector named Al McWhiggin (owner of Al's Toy Barn) kidnaps Woody from a yard sale.
Woody ends up making a most unexpected discovery in Al's possession: that he is in fact a highly valued collectible doll from a 1950s TV show called Woody's Roundup. He meets the other prized toys from that show, Jessie the Cowgirl, Bullseye the Horse, and Stinky Pete the Prospector.
Buzz Lightyear, meanwhile, with some of the other toys from Andy's room (Mr. Potato Head, Slinky Dog, Rex and Hamm) spring into action to rescue their pal from a life behind museum glass. It's high adventure as the toys traverse the city without drawing attention to themselves in effort to track down Al and their missing pal.
Truthfully I went into this one with no expectations/ preconceived notions (save for the obvious: this is big budget Disney/ Pixar so it will likely look good). While the first one was cute enough to be sure, I wasn't quite as enamored with it as the general public so of course learning that the sequel actually generated higher global profits had me curious to say the least. After having finally watched the Toy Story 2 DVD last night, I can state that this is precisely what Disney/ Pixar does best.
Like all of the other Pixar films I've enjoyed throughout the years, Toy Story 2 goes the route of clean models, uncannily fluid animation and detail-rich textures. Character personality takes the forefront to flashy effects or sheer number of sets used. However, there is undeniable attention to the younger set with these films (in case the G-rating doesn't drive the point home).
Yes, there is humor that can be appreciated by all age groups here but it goes the extra mile to avoid the type of crude or adult-specific jokes common in films like Shrek or Ice Age. Laughs here are going to be had by all age groups simultaneously and never will there be parents finding themselves struggling to explain a gag to the youngsters.
This one could definitely be credited for raising the bar for the series and, contrary to common misconception, not merely because of the advances in computer animating technology between 1995 and 1999. Considering that the third entry of the series was released in 2010 to critical acclaim, it appears as though Pixar's screenwriters are advancing at the same pace as the technology used to create these masterpieces.
Toy Story 2 Overview
Andy heads off to cowboy camp leaving his toys to their own devices. Things shift into high gear when an obsessive toy collector named Al McWhiggin (owner of Al's Toy Barn) kidnaps Woody. At Al's apartment, Woody discovers that he is a highly valued collectible from a 1950s TV show called Woody's Roundup, and he meets the other prized toys from that show, Jessie the Cowgirl, Bullseye the Horse, and Stinky Pete the Prospector. Back at the scene of the crime, Buzz Lightyear and the other toys from Andy's room, Mr. Potato Head, Slinky Dog, Rex and Hamm spring into action to rescue their pal from winding up as a museum piece. The toys get into one predicament after another in their daring race to get Woody before Andy returns.
Bonus Features include: Director commentary, Toy Story 3 Sneak Peek: The Characters, Buzz Lightyear Mission Logs: International Space Station, Paths to Pixar: Technical Artists, Studio Stories: Toy Story 2 Sleep Deprivation Lab, Pinocchio, The Movie Vanishes, Pixar's Zoetrop, Celebrating our Friend Joe Ranft
Customer Reviews
Nothing like the responsibility of trying to sequel what is commonly acknowledged as the motion picture that invented the computer animated film genre and yet this is exactly what Pixar was staring at when they set out to build Toy Story 2.
And to listen to John Lasseter, Ash Brannon, Lee Unkrich or any of the other Pixar writers and directors charged with the task of making the film a reality and it's clear that rather than worry about the implied responsibilities, they viewed it as an opportunity to continue on in the tradition of the first (while brining in a host of new characters to boot).
Toy Story 2 starts off with human boy Andy preparing to head off to cowboy camp with intentions of taking Woody with him. A last minute rip causes Woody's attendance to be canceled and hence leaves all the toys to their own devices.
The plot wastes very little time shifting into high gear when an obsessive toy collector named Al McWhiggin (owner of Al's Toy Barn) kidnaps Woody from a yard sale.
Woody ends up making a most unexpected discovery in Al's possession: that he is in fact a highly valued collectible doll from a 1950s TV show called Woody's Roundup. He meets the other prized toys from that show, Jessie the Cowgirl, Bullseye the Horse, and Stinky Pete the Prospector.
Buzz Lightyear, meanwhile, with some of the other toys from Andy's room (Mr. Potato Head, Slinky Dog, Rex and Hamm) spring into action to rescue their pal from a life behind museum glass. It's high adventure as the toys traverse the city without drawing attention to themselves in effort to track down Al and their missing pal.
Truthfully I went into this one with no expectations/ preconceived notions (save for the obvious: this is big budget Disney/ Pixar so it will likely look good). While the first one was cute enough to be sure, I wasn't quite as enamored with it as the general public so of course learning that the sequel actually generated higher global profits had me curious to say the least. After having finally watched the Toy Story 2 DVD last night, I can state that this is precisely what Disney/ Pixar does best.
Like all of the other Pixar films I've enjoyed throughout the years, Toy Story 2 goes the route of clean models, uncannily fluid animation and detail-rich textures. Character personality takes the forefront to flashy effects or sheer number of sets used. However, there is undeniable attention to the younger set with these films (in case the G-rating doesn't drive the point home).
Yes, there is humor that can be appreciated by all age groups here but it goes the extra mile to avoid the type of crude or adult-specific jokes common in films like Shrek or Ice Age. Laughs here are going to be had by all age groups simultaneously and never will there be parents finding themselves struggling to explain a gag to the youngsters.
This one could definitely be credited for raising the bar for the series and, contrary to common misconception, not merely because of the advances in computer animating technology between 1995 and 1999. Considering that the third entry of the series was released in 2010 to critical acclaim, it appears as though Pixar's screenwriters are advancing at the same pace as the technology used to create these masterpieces.
Toy Story 2 - hsmom -
The movie was new and we were very happy with the deliver. It got here before delivery date.
Good value - R. Riley - USA
The DVD/Blu-Ray combo pack was a great deal for the price, as it allows us to both let our daughter view her favorite movie downstairs on the home theater setup, as well as upstairs on her basic DVD player. Great purchase.
Buzz and Woody a World of Fun. - N. Smith - Michigan
This is a double treat; "Toy Story" and "Toy Story 2". Hours of great entertainment and wonderful animation.
Wow! What a deal. Two for One!
*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Sep 19, 2010 03:39:26