When it was announced that Pixar was in development to create a sequel to the massively successful Toy Story, there were a lot of question marks.   Sequels in the film industry usually fall into two categories.  They could be entertaining, with a few changes but typically with a similar plot with less ambition resulting in a pleasant,  yet subpar film to the original.   The other category is a simple cash grab when a film is rushed into production banking on the goodwill of the success of the first film to make money with little effort applied to making the film.  In other words, sequels usually pale in comparison to the original with a few exceptions.  For every Empire Strikes Back, there are plenty of Speed 2’s and Ace Ventura 2’s to cancel it out.

In addition to this, animation sequels in the late 90’s were few and far between.  If a follow up does get made, it usually avoids the theatre and immediately gets sent directly to video.  Past Disney franchises like Beauty and The Beast and Aladdin followed this pattern.  They were cute films, but you won’t be seeing any of those films on any of the hundreds of cable channels or on a best of Disney list.  Pixar knew this going on, so they planned on making Toy Story 2 a sequel for video.  It was just going to be a nice entertaining film for families to enjoy on a lazy Friday night, while they focused their attention on other original ideas for their next theatre release.  Then something happened.  During the development of the film, the cast and crew discovered they were making a film that earned the right to be released on the big screen.  Disney agreed and film was released on November 1999.  Would the film be the exception to the rule or crumble under the enormous shadow from the original?

The story starts off in Andy’s room where all the toys are enjoying peace and tranquility with Woody and Buzz, one time rivals, developing a strong friendship.  The peace is interrupted as Andy’s mom hosts a yard sale and takes a few unwanted toys from the room.  Among the toys is a penguin called Wheezy, which soon provokes the toys to perform a rescue attempt led by Woody.   Wheezy is saved, but Woody is left behind with the other discarded toys in the sale where he is discovered by an evil toy collector named Al.  He discovers Woody, kidnaps him, and holds him hostage in his main business office of his toy store. Andy’s remaining toys spring to action, led by Buzz Lightyear depart the safety of their home to find Woody.  

Woody is soon befriended by a group of new toys.  These toys include the energetic cowgirl Jessie, the lovable horse Bulls-eye, and the grizzly old prospector Stinky Pete who explains to Woody his origins and heritage.  He soon discovers that he was the star of a children’s program called Woody’s Roundup.   His new friends are part of a collection of toys that are packaged to be sold to another collector. and need Woody to complete the collection.  The opportunity also offers a chance for Woody to be valued and loved by children worldwide as a member of the roundup gang.  Buzz and his friends eventually come to the rescue and Woody is faced with a tough decision.  Should he return to Andy, his beloved owner, who’ll likely discard him when he grows up or does he remain with the gang and be adored in the years to come by children albeit behind a glass case.

Like the original, Toy Story 2 does a great job at creating a sense of nostalgia and innocence we felt as children.  However, this time the story focuses more on a sense of  the uncertainty of a future that we ourselves experience as we get older as we witness the toys themselves going through.  While the first Toy Story does cover this topic, the sequel gets into it even deeper.  We witness the discarding of forgotten toys, the horror of Woody’s arm being torn, and toys trying to recapture their glory years of youth, as they come into the realization of the cruel passing of time.  This is best illustrated by an emotional Randy Newman song ‘When She Loved Me’ sung by beautifully by Sarah McLachlan.  The song provides the backdrop of a montage of Jessie’s plight from being adored by her owner to literally left in the curb forgotten.  This is Woody’s greatest challenge throughout the film.  Al may be the villain, but the real nemesis of Woody’s character is his doubt of his future and if he is to have a happy existence he must make a difficult decision.   

Another great element of this film is the evolving relationship between Woody and Buzz.  When we left those two characters from Toy Story, they were patching things up and came to respect each other.  However, in Toy Story 2, their relationship has now evolved into a friendship that grows and is challenged throughout the film.  Buzz doesn’t hesitate in going after Woody and risks his life in his journey.  He sees this as his chance to show Woody and us the audience how much he has grown since we’ve seen him.  At the pivotal moment when he confronts Woody, he reminds him how great it is being Andy’s toy and how much value there is being a toy loved by an owner.  This completes his transformation from being a selfish self-centered space ranger into becoming a loyal, selfless toy.  His example shows Woody what he is missing if he departs Andy and goes with the roundup gang.

Despite all of this heavy subject matter, this film is still very entertaining and fun.  There are plenty of light heartened moments throughout the film.  These include the Barbie tour guide through the toy store, the sudden reappearance of an even more arrogant Buzz Lightyear, and even Buzz’s arch nemesis Emperor Zurg makes an appearance resulting in a great Star Wars reference.  The introduction of the new western themed characters enrich the film and the characters that are carried over from the last film are improved greatly and provide levity to Buzz’s perilous journey.  There’s also a great sequence after Woody suffers a tear in his arm, he is patched up an old toy surgeon which is just fascinating to watch how it’s filmed and animated.   It’s almost magical how the animation creates the emotions, fears, and laughter we relate to with those characters regardless of setting. 

Back to the original question, is this film superior to the first Toy Story?   Yes!  It’s what a sequel should be.  Keep what is great about the first film, add elements that improve on the original premise, and explore things that we as adults and children could relate to.  This film is not only a Pixar classic, but it’s also a great adventure film, a great buddy picture, a great drama, and a hilarious comedy all in one.  It’s a film with so much detail that it can easily be  seen multiple viewings and discover new things each time.  It’s an incredible achievement from an upstart animation department to create a beloved film that continues to entertain me 20 years later.

Brian Rating 10/10

– Flyin’ Brian