#15- Toy Story 2 (1999) review

Creating a sequel to an animation film had never been successful until Toy Story 2 and even since then, has only been successful in one other film- The third installment of the Toy Story trilogy. So, just prior to the release of this film, audiences would've been anxious and uncertain whether the film would live up to the hype of the original

Not only do I consider Toy Story 2 one of the all time great sequels but I even consider it better than the original. This is how a sequel should be made to an animation film, not how Shrek did it or how any of the other animation films such as The Lion King II have done. 

Woody is one day, mysteriously stolen by a man at a garage sale whilst saving another toy from 'facing the inevitable'. Woody is stolen and comes to learn about his past and how he is a famous and rare sheriff woody doll. It is here that he  meets Bullseye, the horse, Jesse the cowgirl and the Prospector, who are Woody's Roundup Gang as they were also featured on his TV show. Out of curiosity, Wood learns that he is about to be sent to a museum in Japan, where he will indeed by able to prolong the inevitable and where the other toys will also be sent if he is there. Eventually Woody comes to realize that maybe going to Japan may well be the only option but Woody's loyal friends are once more, out there to save him! 


Here is a sequel, much like The Empire Strikes Back which proves that it is not a cash grab but a a necessary installment to a series of films. The fact that the plot is split into two clearly indicates that this is a fresh film. In terms of entertainment, this film has more to offer than the original. Even in terms of emotion, this film may even contain more emotion than the first and the characters are truly put to the test here. The dialogue is clever and witty and works charmingly well, the story is written and directed brilliantly and the new characters, being some of the best of Toy Story, are done fantastically. 



Jesse is the most interesting character of the film and her constant mood swings are what makes her interesting, even if her character is often jerky! When her character is given the flashback sequences involving Emily, there is the emotion of the film right there. In terms of story, Woody is definitely put to the test in terms of prolonging the inevitable, something which his penguin friend Wheezy said was useless as it comes right back at you. Simply the fact that both Woody and Jesse have such an explained past makes them extremely great characters. Jesse's backstory is some of the finest emotional moments of the series, something which Toy Story 3 seems to rip off to some extent with Lotso. 

So many memorable stuff do happen in this film. Some absolutely classical lines and scenes such as the toys driving the car, the scene in the airport and plane, the scenes early on and Jesse's backstory truly make for one of the greatest animation films, right up there with the other two installments of the Toy Story trilogy. In fact, these three films should be tied for the best animation film of all time, each having a place in my top 25. To make Toy Story all the better for me, I have no nostalgic feelings towards it!  

Grade- 10/10