In “Toy Story,” we met Buzz Lightyear, a toy who didn’t know he was a toy. In the sequel, “Toy Story 2,” it’s Woody’s turn to have an identity crisis.
While saving a toy from a yard sale box, Woody (Tom Hanks) accidentally falls into a “for sale” pile and is eagerly snatched up by Al, owner of Al’s Toy Barn. Al is a collector who has spent years looking for a Woody doll, and he makes an offer to Andy’s mother. She explains the toy is not for sale, but Al tucks Woody under a pile in his arms and drives off with him anyway. Buzz (Tim Allen) and the other toys were watching the whole thing and immediately put a plan in action to save him.
Meanwhile, Woody is taken to Al’s apartment, where he is startled to see a whole display of Woody memorabilia. He didn’t know that he was the main character of a children’s television show called “Woody’s Roundup.” Al already has the other characters in the box, a yodeling cowgirl named Jessie, a prospector named Stinky Pete, and a horse named Bull’s Eye. Now that he has Woody, he can sell the whole collection to a toy museum in Japan for a nice sum of money.
Jessie, Stinky Pete and Bull’s Eye are excited to meet Woody and welcome him into their fold. But when they learn he still has an owner, and doesn’t want to go to Japan, their hopes are crushed. They’ve been in storage for a long time and want a chance to be appreciated again. But Woody is determined; he’s going to find a way back to Andy.
Buzz has a plan; he and the toys should go to Al’s Toy Barn and try to track Woody down. They enter the store and try to find Al’s office, but on the way there, they discover a Buzz Lightyear aisle. Buzz gets a little too close to one of the toys, who comes to life and arrests him for being awake during shipping. Buzz gets put in a box, and the new Buzz starts walking around. He meets up with the other toys and they take him along, not realizing that he’s not their friend. This mix-up leads to some of the best comedy in the film.
It’s not often that a sequel is as good as the first movie. I have to say, though, that “Toy Story 2” is every bit as good as “Toy Story.” The storyline is enough different that I didn’t feel we were seeing same old, same old, and the characters haven’t lost their sparkle. My favorite line in the whole movie comes when it’s discovered that the Evil Emperor Zurg has followed them to find Woody. In a confrontation between good and evil, Zurg tells Buzz to give up.
“I’ll never stop fighting you,” Buzz replies. “You killed my father.”
“No, Buzz,” Zurg says. “I am your father.”
It’s genius, pure and simple.
This movie is rated G.
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