The Toys are Back in Town
Sequel is Fitting Family Fun

Those attempting to write sequels in the movies could do worse than to follow the example of Toy Story 2. As a single movie, it easily stands on its own. As a sequel, it builds on existing characters without becoming redundant. As a comedy, it has to be one of the funniest films I've seen lately. No matter your age, this is the movie to see during the holiday season.

Everyone's favorite toys are back in this fun, adventurous sequel to the original animated film. As before, there is an amazing amount of detail given to the animation, but the wizardry of computer images can not begin to surpass the wonderful story and clever humor.

After saving another toy from a yard sale, Woody (voiced by Academy Award winner Tom Hanks) finds himself kidnapped by a disreputable collector. Back at the collector's home, he learns his legacy as a television star, and meets his co-stars Jessie (Joan Cusack), Stinky Pete the prospector (Kelsey Grammar), and his horse Bullseye. Mended and polished, Woody discovers that they are to be sold to a museum in Japan where the "Woody's Roundup" gang will spend the rest of their days.

The remainder of Andy's toys aren't sitting idly by waiting for Woody's return, however. Led by Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen), the other toys mount an expedition to Al's Toy Barn to see if they can rescue their friend. Buzz and the gang face several perils along the way, but the quest is filled with humor every step of the way.

Hanks and Allen deliver flawless performances as Woody and Buzz. They have made the characters come to life, and considering the medium, that's more than cliche. Lending only a voice to a character is challenging, but each has made his character real. Wayne Knight plays the toy collector Al McWhiggin, giving our villain his menacing laugh and desperation.

The computer animation is incredible, filled with crisp and realistic images. Even the backgrounds have detail worth noting. For instance, in the toy store scene the Pixar animators have cleverly plugged last year's A Bug's Life, by placing the movie merchandise on the shelves in the background. Of course, the animation is at its most realistic when depicting inanimate objects such as cars and planes.

There are so many great one-liners and sight gags that viewers will probably have to see it twice to make sure they didn't miss anything. Several of the jokes with Buzz Lightyear include references to science fiction classics like 2001: A Space Odyssey and Star Wars. Jokes from the other toys are much more slapstick in nature, as when Hamm (the piggy bank voiced by John Ratzenberger) accidentally pops his cork and spills his change. Whether subtle or gross, the humor is what ultimately sells Toy Story 2.

But there is more to Toy Story 2 than just humor. There's a great underlying theme about the value of friendship, whether old or new. The bittersweet tale of toys that have outlived their usefulness is also very powerful and moving. In reviewing this film, I can't think of a single flaw in it. It was, quite simply, a great movie.

MY RATING: 10 out of 10.

RATED: G
RUN TIME: 92 min.