Pixar strikes again with another brilliant installation of the Toy Story series. Woody, Buzz, Rex, Slinky and the gang return once more for another excursion into the world of toys. Toy Story 2 is one of those rare films that surpasses the original. Not only has the quality of the CG animation improved, but the story has more heart to it. Even the comedy seems a bit sharper and is a bit funnier now that we know the characters. Toy Story 2 is a shining example of a sequel done right.

In a lot of ways, sequels reveal more about the strength of the original than any amount of repeated viewings. Without the requisite introductions, meet-and-greet and initial character developments, the strength of the core cast is stripped bare. They're left to prove their worth in the great wide open, and what successes or failures they find can be a great judge of their quality. In Toy Story's case, Woody and Buzz's second adventure is definitive proof of what a deep, colorful yarn Pixar had actually sewn in their first feature-length effort. The troupe doesn't even stop for a breath as they plunge right into topics that range from emotional attachment and the importance of a family unit to isolation and abandonment. Of course, such weighty subjects aren't addressed pointedly; instead they're gracefully interwoven into the backdrop of a bright, rousing Incredible Journey-styled venture through the city in search of an important stolen toy. Stuffed with throwbacks that are sure to elicit cheery memories of the original, this sequel is also loaded up with new material that's every bit as charming. Though I wouldn't quite put it on the same level as the first film, and I felt that the messages of the recent third chapter are more poignant, it still sits near the top of Pixar's portfolio.

"You're right, Prospector. I can't stop Andy from growing up... but I wouldn't miss it for the world" All the Toy Story films have a very special place in my heart, but Toy Story 2 means the most to me out of them all. It’s always been my favourite of the bunch ever since I was a lot younger, and has always stood out to me for some reason. It’s probably the funnest one of the lot, and I really love the story here. Plus it introduces some of my favourite characters into the franchise like Jessie and Bullseye, and yes squeaker or not, even Wheezy too, who I’ve always found to be super cute. It’s just a shame we never saw him again after this film. Woody and the gang are fantastic as always, and I really like how it focuses a lot more on Buzz this time around. He basically takes on Woody’s position here at being the leader of the group, and in his search for Woody, causes nothing but chaos and traffic jams. For small toys they sure cause a shit load of destruction. It’s pretty cool how we learn much more about Woody’s backstory, and i cant be the only one who wants some of his merch, right ? Plus we have the introduction to his partners in crime, Jessie and Bullseye who are two characters I love a lot. The scene where Jessie tells Woody about her time with Emily is always so heartbreaking to watch, and I’m not ashamed to admit that I do sob a bit every time I see it. I think out of all the iconic Toy Story songs out there, “when she loved me” is probably my favourite of the lot as I honestly adore that song. It’s just so emotional and gets me single every time I hear it. The villain, Stinky Pete is a pretty great villain, and he’s far worse than “stinky” let me tell you. I mean as toys go he’s a pretty crazy one, and if I owned him I’d never let him out of the box for sure. Al is a little shit as well, but I’d do anything to go and visit his toy shop. I think I’d spend an absolute fortune in there and he’d soon make his money back from loosing Woody and the gang in no time. just like the first, this is another perfect film by Pixar, and has a very special spot as one of my favourite animations of all time. This one in particular is very high on my list, and no matter how many Toy Story’s they’ll make in my lifetime (probably hundreds), none will ever come close to this one. "You have saved our lives. We are eternally grateful."

Toy Story Toy Story (1995) https://trakt.tv/movies/toy-story-1995 Toy Story 2 (1999) https://trakt.tv/movies/toy-story-2-1999 Toy Story 3 (2010) https://trakt.tv/movies/toy-story-3-2010 Toy Story 4 (2019) https://trakt.tv/movies/toy-story-4-2019