A lot has been made in the media about how the sequel is better than the original. Ha! How can you do that? Is it just as good? Does it avoid the typical sequel-itis of suckyness? No doubt about it! Is it a great film in its own right? Yer darn tootin'! (How many reviewers use the phrase, 'Yer darn tootin' in a review? You're getting it all true believers.) Actually Toy Story 2 is just as good as the first Toy Story, and ok...maybe slightly better.

      This one focuses on the reverse storyline of the first movie. This time around it's Woody that gets into trouble and needs help from his friends. But with a spin. And it's that spin, in all of its forms, that makes 2 a great film. That makes 2 soar beyond any labels that you might want to attach to it, such as a cartoon, or a kids movie. There are thousands of adult dramas every year that don't come close to touching the cords that this animated film touches. Is it because of the actors? Is it the great script? Is it the amazing computer animation? It's all of these things. But it's something more. Perhaps in the combination of brilliance, something more has happened...something greater than the sum of the pieces. Because the beauty of Toy Story is its ability to capture, in perfect style and emotion, the shear joy of childhood. The wonder and scope of imagination. The eye of the child in all of us that cries out for the simpler times in our lives, when toys meant the world to us. That is the magic that is Toy Story.

      The cast from the first movie is back again, Tom Hanks and Tim Allen provide the voices of Woody and Buzz Lightyear without missing a step from the first go round. Joan Cusack and Kellsey Gramar provide the voices for two new characters who are key to Woody's change in character. Through a bizarre set of circumstances, Woody discovers he is a former television star with the usual array of merchandising tie-ins. And Woody makes a complete set that can now be sold to a museum in Tokyo Japan. I won't give away any more of the plot, but needless to say the toys rush of to rescue Woody. When they arrive they are stunned by Woody's change of heart.

      In a typical movie this would have been played mean and heartless. But Woody's dilemma is one that really plays true to life. He has made new friends, and has found that he is worth something beyond the normal life of a toy. The decision plays extremely well and we can honestly feel the torment, both from Woody and from his friends.

      The action in this movie never stops. Just as in the first movie, there are jokes and homeges to other films that only adults are going to 'get'. There are two in particular that left me laughing out loud. You've already heard about the appearance of Barbie, which is cute and funny, but for me Emporer Zurg stole the show. Maybe it's because I'm a big Star Wars fan? I dunno. Anyway, don't waste time. Go see Toy Story 2 as soon as possible. Take your favorite kid along, especially the one that still lives somewhere deep inside of you. Don't worry about this one being better than the other one, just enjoy it for what it is...a great ride.

Bryan Ward, 1999