Toy Story 2
January 2001 Reviewed by: Roger Kanno Format: DVD	(all ratings out of 5): Overall Enjoyment Picture Quality Packaged Extras Sound Quality

To simply say that Toy Story 2 has mind-boggling animation would be a gross understatement. The jaw dropping realism of the computer-generated animation, first seen in the original Toy Story and later in A Bug’s Life, is further refined and enhanced in Toy Story 2. The improvement in animation over these previous films seems subtle at first, but the more you watch, the more you become aware of the amazing complexity of the visuals.

All of the delightfully amusing characters from the first film are back in Toy Story 2 along with a few new ones whom Woody meets when he discovers the origin of his character in an old black-and-white television show titled "Woody’s Roundup." The new characters are Stinky Pete the prospector, Jesse the cowgirl, and Woody’s horse, Buster. Kelsey Grammer and Joan Cusack play stinky Pete and Jesse respectively, but they never really establish themselves in our hearts like the other toys do. Of the new characters, it is only Buster, Woody’s trusty steed, that really has any lasting appeal.

While Woody is spending time with his new found friends, Buzz and Andy’s other toys set out on a frantic search to find him. Along the way they meet up with another Buzz Lightyear who is surprisingly even more deluded and pretentious than the original Buzz. The plot of Toy Story 2 is similar to that of the first film and the new characters are not as creative and original as their counterparts, but this is still an imaginative and enjoyable film. For instance, there is one touching scene in which Jesse recalls her previous owner, Emily. The human characters have also been revamped with softer features that make them appear less grotesque than they did previously. The one thing that the sequel sorely misses is the nearly constant bickering between Woody and Buzz that was so entertaining in the original Toy Story.

Make no mistake about it: the real star of this film is the extremely detailed CGI animation from Pixar studios. The detail in the objects and the complexity of the lighting effects in the shadows and reflections that was evident in the original film are further enhanced in Toy Story 2. The video transfer is also pristine. With a direct transfer of the digital computer images to DVD, there is not even the slightest imperfection in the picture. With extremely vibrant colors and every tiny detail in the animation faithfully reproduced, this is truly eye-popping demo material.

The sound quality is also first rate. The music score by Randy Newman is not as fresh as his original for Toy Story, but it is again nicely recorded. The sound design is nearly as impressive as the animation. The discrete surrounds are well utilized and the soundstage sometimes extends beyond the speakers with pinpoint imaging from nearly all directions as well as some nice diffuse ambience.

As with the version of Toy Story that is included in the "Toy Story 2 Pack," this basic version of Toy Story 2 has very few extras. The THX Optimode tests are again included as is the Pixar short "Luxo Jr." and "outtakes" that are similar to those shown during the closing credits of A Bug’s Life. There are also sneak peeks at several Disney and Pixar films and DVDs that start automatically when the disc is first played. (Thankfully, these can be bypassed by pressing the menu button unlike some previous Disney DVDs in which each trailer had to be individually skipped.)

Toy Story 2 is a good film and this DVD is a reference disc of the highest order. It doesn’t have many extras, but if that is what you’re looking for, buy "The Ultimate Toy Box" three-disc edition. Toy Story 2 comes packaged with the even more entertaining original Toy Story in the "Toy Story 2 Pack," making this one DVD purchase that I would not hesitate to recommend.

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