DVD REVIEW

Toy Story 1 & 2

THE ULTIMATE TOY BOX - 3-DISC COLLECTOR'S SET

>>Continued from Page 1 (Toy Story).

DISC 2: Toy Story 2

I said in the review for the film preceding this one that I used to really like "Toy Story" before better computer animated films began coming out. The film that I was most referring to was this one, "Toy Story 2." I love this film. This is definitely one of my favorite movies, and I can watch it every single day (don't worry, I don't, I'm just saying I could).

Along with "A Nightmare Before Christmas" and "Shrek," this is one of the only pieces of animation that I think truly stands out as a great, downright amazing film, not just in terms of animation but alongside live-action movies as well.

The film begins with Woody making a mad dash to get ready to go to "Cowboy Camp" with Andy, where the boy will be staying for a week or two (it never really gets established how long Andy is away, but this feels like the right amount of time to pass by). Andy is playing with Woody and Buzz, his two favorite toys, when suddenly part of the stitching on Woody's arm rips. Not wanting to ruin the toy any more, Andy leaves Woody at home.

A short time later, the toys awake to find the only thing worse than a birthday party or even Christmas (in which toys get replaced by better ones, as seen in the first film): a yard sale. During a daring rescue of Squeeky (the penguin chew toy with a busted squeeker) utilizing Buster, the family dog (if only this little guy had gotten more screen time...), Woody finds himself toy-napped (again!), but this time it is by a toy collector named Al.

It turns out that Woody is a priceless antique, and is destined to be sold as the last part in a set (which includes a cowgirl, a prospector, and Woody's horse, Bullseye) to a museum in Japan. At first he is as reluctant as could be expected. Then he sees all the great merchandise made out of his likeness, and the old '50's Howdy Doody-esque TV show called "Woody's Round-Up" (an astonishingly realistic part of the film).

However, he is soon convinced of his own mortality when he connects with Jesse (Woody's female partner on the show, voiced by the awesome Joan Cusack), a poor little cowgirl with a melancholy past, as seen through a heartbreaking montage (damn...Sarah MacLachlan may sound like a pubescent 14 year old, but her voice sure can bring a tear to your eye in the right context).

Meanwhile, Buzz is leading the other main toys on a rescue mission of their own, this time across town through neighborhoods, busy highways, a toy store, and Al's apartment complex. Sheer, utter hilarity ensues with such zaniness as new Buzz confronting old Buzz (the shallow, otherworldly one of the first film), Pixar making fun of it's own toy campaigns (in the toy store, referencing to the overwhelming popularity of Buzz Lightyear action figures after the first film's release), and the emergence of Buzz Lightyear's arch-nemesis, Emperor Zurg (complete with awesome Star Wars reference).

As the time of Andy's return grows nearer and nearer, Woody has to decide whether a toy's true purpose in life is to be admired by as many people as possible for as long as possible, or to be loved by one boy for only the beginning of his life.

10 out of 10

Like the first one, only lots better. More impressive visuals and more impressive animation mean great things to watch at every point and place throughout the film.

9 out of 10

Another improvement upon the first, with greater sound effects and a greater musical score.

9 out of 10

Same as the first.  Creative, if maybe a little too quiet.

8 out of 10

Oscar nominated short, "Luxo Jr." Not as good as "Tin Toy," but then again this was Pixar's first. Very cute and really cool characterization of a couple o' lamps.

Audio commentary by the filmmakers

Even more fun than the first (God, it's almost the same right down the line with these!).

Outtakes

You loved them in the theater, now watch them all over and over again!  Pixar again shows how genius it is by taking the time to animate character's screwing up lines, laughing in the middle of takes, etc.

Monsters, Inc. sneak peek.

Just a teaser. Go to the QuickTime web site to see a much better trailer of this surefire sweet flick.

5.1 Sound Effects only-track

Again, this is even better than the first go around, what with the airport/plane scene and all.

Hey, this is so close to being better than the first disc. But where's the behind the scenes look?

7 out of 10

And now...

DISC 3: The Supplemental Features

Nothin' buts extras -- galore!

Introductions by the filmmakers

If you listened to the commentary/ies, you'll know what to expect. Just a wacky group of uncles (the fun kind, not the molesting kind). Except for Ash Brannon. He seems out of place. God, I wish I could work there.

The History of Toy Story and Toy Story 2

Covers everything from the earliest development of the films to cast and final animation.

Character design

Look at picture after picture after picture of the development process for each character.

Location design

The backgrounds and settings for the film, including little things hidden back behind other things.

Deleted animation

Nothing much, but a couple interesting removals. Very cool.

Ad campaign

Posters, commercials, trailers, merchandise, etc.

Guide to hidden jokes

Pretty funny, but not as much as I thought it would be. There are far less of these jokes than I thought (and hoped) there would be.

And a million other things to look at. This review is long enough already and I don't want to have to stretch it three times as long as it already is just to list every extra feature on this third disc.

This thing is packed! At least four (4) hours of navigation through this thing! This is how you do an extra disc.

10 out of 10

Rating for all 3 Discs:

>>Back to Page 1 (Toy Story).

TOP