Toy Story 2 is among the finest kid-films-for-adults, with a truly heartbreaking subtext – what happens to toys when kids stop caring about them?
When his young owner, Andy, goes off to summer camp, Woody the cowboy is stolen by a toy collector who recognises him as a valuable doll. Woody’s erstwhile rival, Buzz Lightyear, leads a rescue party to save him – with chaotic results.
Originally intended as a 60-minute, straight-to-video project, this was a work in progress right up to its release – complete with last-minute additions to the cast. Product opportunism, perhaps. Yet who can be wholly cynical about a film that not only manages to surpass its 1995 predecessor but also restores credibility to that much-debased term “family entertainment”?
Buzz Lightyear’s bid to rescue Woody from the clutches of a sleazy toy collector will keep the youngsters on the edge of their seats.
However, it’s the little touches that will delight the grown-ups, most notably the in-jokes at the expense of Star Wars and Jurassic Park, and the charming re-creation of a 1950s TV puppet show.
Woody
Tom Hanks Buzz Lightyear
Tim Allen Jessie
Joan Cusack Prospector
Kelsey Grammer Mr Potato Head
Don Rickles Mrs Potato Head
Estelle Harris Slinky Dog
Jim Varney Rex
Wallace Shawn Hamm
John Ratzenberger Bo Peep
Annie Potts Al McWhiggin
Wayne Knight Andy
John Morris Andy’s mother
Laurie Metcalf Sarge
R Lee Ermey Barbie
Jodi Benson Cleaner
Jonathan Harris Evil Emperor Zurg
Andrew Stanton Wheezy
Robert GouletCrew
Director
John Lasseter
Lee Unkrich
Ash Brannon
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