Toy Story 2 3D

Toy Story 2 3D

Starring: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Kelsey Grammer, Don Rickles

Directed by: John Lasseter

Reviewed by: Conor Flynn






I remember almost a decade ago seeing a copy of Empire magazine with Toy Story 2 on the front cover and thinking what a bad idea for a sequel that was. This sequel was originally going to go straight to video, something that never bodes well for a follow-up. I was shocked then to discover that not only had the film escaped the humiliation of being plonked alongside other straight to video dreck such as ‘The Return of Jafar,’ but that the magazine had awarded the film top marks. Sure enough, the film deserves exactly that recognition, even ten years on, as one of the greatest sequels ever made.

We rejoin Woody and Buzz where we last left them in the first film; Andy’s bedroom. In a switch around from the last adventure, it is now Woody who is in jeopardy when an unscrupulous toy collector steals him and plans on selling him to a toy museum in Tokyo, Japan. It is now up to Buzz and the other toys to rescue Woody…

Toy Story 2 is a masterpiece. It takes the best elements of the first film and amps them up another notch. Key to this is the storyline itself, in which the toys begin to consider what life will be like after Andy leaves. This adds an incredible depth to a story which already is filled to the brim with wit. Another element which dazzles is the animation which hasn’t aged a bit. Top this off with the hilarious voice work of Tom Hanks and Tim Allen and your left with a film which not only equals, but surpasses its original.

The problem, if there is one in an otherwise flawless film, is that there isn’t a proper central villain. The Toys have to contend with not one, but three villains in the form of Al, Zerg and another assailant (keeping that latter one a secret just in case you’re the only person on the planet who hasn’t seen this sequel in the last ten years). This inhibits the film slightly. None of these characters combined are as menacing as Sid from the original film. Another problem, though no fault of the film itself, is the use of 3D in the film. Personally I found it a distraction, taking my 3D glasses off a few times to see what was actually in 3D. There is very little, making the 3D upgrade a little pointless as a viewing experience.

If the standard is this high come Toy Story 3 in July, we’ve a lot to look forward to. A terrific sequel in every sense of the word, Toy Story 2 is a must see in any format.