Toy Story 2 (1999): This should not be in the museum

1999 • John Lasseter • 1.78:1 • Jump to Gallery ↓

Directed by John Lasseter and produced by Pixar Animation Studios, the plot of Toy Story 2 kicks into gear when Woody is stolen by a greedy toy collector who intends to sell him to a museum in Japan as part of a rare ‘Woody’s Roundup’ collection. This forces Buzz Lightyear and a group of Andy’s toys to embark on a perilous rescue mission across the city.

Widely regarded as a “sequel that surpasses the original“, the film showcased how the groundbreaking CGI of the time could be used to create even more complex textures and lighting. It was another technical achievement for Pixar. However, behind the pixels, the slapstick, and the clever parodies of various cinematic genres (from the high-stakes action of Star Wars to the meticulous process of restoring a toy), the heart of the franchise remained its characters.

Ultimately, Toy Story 2 is a great adventure that also serves as a meditation on mortality and the value of a lived life versus an immortal yet sterile existence behind glass. You can’t keep your childhood intact in a museum. You have to grow up, and you can do so with old and new friends!

Technical Specs:

• The Story: When Woody is stolen by a toy collector, Buzz Lightyear and the gang set out on a rescue mission, forcing Woody to choose between his old friends and newfound fame. Read my review of Toy Story 2.
• Actors (voices): Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Kelsey Grammer, Don Rickles, Jim Varney, Wallace Shawn, John Ratzenberger, Annie Potts, Wayne Knight.
• Directors: John Lasseter, with Ash Brannon and Lee Unkrich
• Year: 1999
• Cinematographer: Sharon Calahan
• Origin: American Cinema
• Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
• Genre: Action & Adventure / Animation & Family