Toy Story 2 (1999)

3.5 out of 4

Starring: voices of Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Kelsey Grammer, Wayne Knight

Directors: John Lasseter, Ash Brannon

Time: 92 mins

Toy Story 2 is a riot. It is the most joyous time I've had in a movie cinema for a long, long time. The third computer-animated collaboration between Pixar and Disney, following the original Toy Story (1995) and last year's A Bug's Life, Toy Story 2 was initially slated for a direct-to-video release, but having seen it, I can see why those plans were shelved. The film is even better than its predecessor, combining the qualities that made that film a blockbuster and adding a better story and even more humour.

While Toy Story was fun and technologically groundbreaking, the fact I didn't know what most of the toys were (yes, yes, I was toy-deprived, but I did get a computer! :-)) meant I couldn't appreciate it on the same level as someone who had actually played with figures like Mr Potato Head and Slinky the Dog. Toy Story 2 takes your familiarity with the characters (by now, they should be familiar) and plays further on their foibles and idiosyncrasies, while adding a fast-paced story that should please kids and plenty of in-jokes (Jurassic Park and The Empire Strikes Back come to mind) that will please adults.

The focus of the first Toy Story was on Buzz Lightyear (Allen), a space ranger toy who thought he actually was a space ranger until other toys like cowboy Woody (Hanks) showed him otherwise. This time Woody is the centre of attention, when he is kidnapped early in the film by a toy salesman who realises his value as part of a set of western characters that include cowgirl Jessie (Cusack) and prospector Stinky Pete (Grammer). Naturally, Buzz and the others come to rescue him, but not before some frantic adventures that include crossing a busy road, meeting a group of partying Barbies, and an encounter with Zurg, the nemesis of Buzz. When they find Woody, they discover that he has second thoughts about being rescued.

The animation, as expected, is first rate, though perhaps not as eye-popping as the gorgeous hues and landscapes in A Bug's Life. The voice acting is perfect, with newcomers like Cusack, Grammer and Wayne Knight (as Al the toy salesman) adding more class to the returning cast. And the story is an improvement over the original's, too, examining the theory that it is better for a toy to have been owned and discarded than never to have been owned at all. Perhaps the best thing is that this sequel doesn't have the dark streak that the original had (remember the toys patched together from broken parts?), which makes it all the more joyous. Al the salesman, for all his oafishness, is not really evil, just greedy, which is the right tone for this movie.

When it comes to computer-animated features, it seems Disney and Pixar can do no wrong. Each of their films has grossed over $150m in North America alone. Indeed, with the winning formula of superb animation and gorgeous visuals, a simple but thoughtful story, a frenetic pace, and enough humour to satisfy both children and adults, Toy Story 2 is one of the best films of the year. I look forward eagerly to their next masterpiece.

(c) Joe Wong