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TOY STORY 2 is the expected treat. Tom Hanks and Tim Allen, back
as Woody and Buzz Lightyear, the top toys in a roomful of play-
things-that-play-with-themselves. Other returning voices-and-char-
acters include John Ratzenberg's Hamm, Wallace Shawn's dino, Don
Rickle's now-married Mr. Potato Head, and Jim Varney's Slinky Dog.
The plot: the aforementioned four join Buzz Boy on a rescue mis-
sion after Woody is doll-napped by a greedy toy collector (fitting-
ly voiced by Wayne Knight). The plot thickener: Woody learns that
he's a vintage doll from the fifties after meeting three other toys
from that era: Joan Cusack's cowgirl, Kelsey Grammer's prospector
(mint-in-box), and a silent-but-spry pony name of Bullseye. And
so, while the wee rescuers risk life and molded plastic limb, the
pull-string cowboy has his *own* battle to fight: stay and be a
"star" forever, or return to the kid that'll love him until he out-
grows him? What to do, what to do?
Perhaps aware that the Pixar Freshness Factor (PFF) is starting to
wear off-- especially after A BUG'S LIFE-- co-director (or is he a
supervising director?) John Lassiter wisely ups the ante with a
hefty amount of emotional heft. The manic antics are still there,
sure, as are in the in-jokes (great JURASSIC PARK gag), the set
pieces, and the series' trademark toy's-eye view. (Who knew that
the front landing-gear assembly of a jumbo jet was so exciting?)
What's been *added* is more talking, more feeling, and one, gag-me-
with-a-Ken-doll Disney moment when Cusack's character reminiscences
while some stupid pop song is played in its entirety. Yuck. (Rob-
ert Goulet's big-band rendition of "You've Got a Friend in Me" at
the end, however, is totally acceptable. Says me.)
Also upped are the number of computer-rendered humans. With one
exception, tho-- a "cleaner" called by the collector-- they don't
look so hot. (Better than the *first* film, mind you, but still
rather distracting.) The net result is a highly, *highly* enter-
taining holiday movie that also feels a bit longish. And at times,
as unfocused as it is overstuffed. (The film was conceived as a
direct-to-video release and, well, kinda, almost, sometimes feels
like it.) Not that the kiddies nor their parents are necessarily
gonna mind... Oh, and also beware the Disney Trailer Reel From
Hell. As Walt's company conveniently doesn't permit ads for other
studios, you may have to endure ten-or-more-minutes of clips from
102 DALMATIANS (coming *next* Thanksgiving!), DINOSAUR (May 2000),
and BICENTENNIAL MAN (December). With the voices of Annie Potts as
Bo Peep, Jodi Benson as Tour Guide Barbie, and Estelle Harris as
Mrs. Potato Head. Don't talk to any toy you don't know! (Rated
"G"/90 min.)
Grade: B+
Bloopers
========
The newly added TOY STORY 2 outtakes are a stitch. Though they feel
a bit forced-- and, admittedly, are nowhere near as novel as either
set of BUG'S LIFE bloopers-- I'd say a couple of 'em qualify as
classics. Such as Stinky Pete caught coming on to a pair of Barbie
dolls. ("You're absolutely identical?") And there's an awfully good
running gag with Mrs. Potato Head packing more than just her stud
spud's "angry eyes." Go have a good laugh.
Grade: B
Copyright 1999 Michael J. Legeros
Movie Hell is a trademark of Michael J. Legeros
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