The Good
A very important movie that offers something for everyone.
The Bad
Navigating around all the extra features was a bit confusing.
Following up the much lauded and loved Toy Story, seems much like as daunting a proposition as following up the original Caddyshack. Yet, they managed to capture the magic again and this Special Edition of Toy Story 2 gives fans all they need to get caught up in the lives of these characters all over again. This well done tale in which Woody has been stolen to complete the “Roundup Gang”, a rare group of collectibles based on a TV show from the 1950s, has all Woody’s fellow toys across town mounting a mission to get him back home. What is a truly hilarious film turns heartfelt when it is apparent that Woody is going to have to chose between the glamorous life of being a collectible, or just go back to being a regular toy.
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Making a real social statement about youth and getting older, Toy Story 2 is one of those films that works on all levels. Kids can enjoy it because there are lots of fun antics and teamwork examples, while adults will like the thought provoking moments that this film effortlessly achieves. In centering this movie around toys, the film’s creators allow themselves to examine so many different issues, while not masking them as such. Animation is fast becoming a medium that is almost more real than live action films, and as a result I think that’s why so many of them are being made with such large standards of excellence.
Movies like Toy Story 2 lead the way.
Features
DISC ONE
The Sneak Peek at Cars looks at John Lasseter’s newest movie. I think what is so awesome about animation, especially the kind of films that these people are making, is how they get us to rethink everything. For instance, they take the subject of cars and they imbue them with such rich personalities and lifestyles, that after screening their movies it is hard to ever look at life (or the objects we use everyday) the same way again. If that isn’t something amazing than I don’t know what is…
DISC TWO
Outtakes; Who’s The Coolest Toy? and Which Toy Are You?
My biggest problem with Outtakes on an animated movie is that essentially, other than tests and mistakes that wouldn’t pass muster anyway, there really isn’t such a thing as as a true “flub” or “fumble”. Still, seeing this assortment of characters slip, slide and crash around the screen is a lot of fun. Who’s the Coolest Toy? has the filmmakers and the stars of this movie discussing their favorite characters. We get to hear which character they think they most resemble or act like, but for the filmmakers at least, this has got to be hard because I would think they would love every character. Afterall, these are creations that emanated out of them. It wasn’t like they went out and cast these roles. Which Toy Are You? is a multiple choice test of sorts, with the end result letting the viewer know what toy they are most like. I started playing this but was having problems with my remote. While I think this game might ultimately be for younger kids to play with their parents, it is still something worth checking out.
Ponkickies; Riders In the Sky Music Medley and “Making Toy Story 2
Ponkickies 21 is a popular children’s program that Woody, Buzz and Jessie visit to entertain and play with their kids. While I probably never would have watched this show (or this segment) if I didn’t have to review it for a DVD, it is interesting to see how these characters cross all possible cultural divides and relate with people on the most universal of levels. Riders In the Sky Music Medley is another featurette that leans more toward something for kids than it does for me. Essentially, this is a “musical tour through Woody’s Roundup”, in which kids can sing along and dance to a bunch of well known western songs. Nothing too amazing about this bonus feature, but something that parents can enjoy with their kids as well.
