'Toy Story 2' offers not only laughs and action, but a heart

JAKARTA (JP): For most viewers, movie sequels are not overly anticipated; not too much hope is pinned to them. Why bother too much? Most of the time you'll get the same thing all over again, and certainly not many surprises.

Realizing people's reluctance to watch sequels, filmmakers of the 1995 blockbuster Toy Story have worked hard to offer new twists in their computer-animated movie sequel Toy Story 2.

Director John Lasseter, who directed the first Toy Story and A Bug's Life, was back to direct the sequel. And his hard work deserves praise. Toy Story 2 offers not only plenty of laughs and action from the toys' point of view, it is also a movie with a heart.

Enlightening new characters are introduced in this action- filled toy adventure. Academy Award winning actor Tom Hanks reprises his role as the voice of pull-string sheriff Woody, while acclaimed actor-comedian Tim Allen uses all his talents once again as the voice of space ranger action figure Buzz Lightyear.

And the storyline is inspired by a toy's greatest fear: being discarded and outgrown by its owner.

The movie begins with Woody's expectation to be taken by his beloved owner Andy to a cowboy camp, only to find out that he is being left home simply because he is broken.

Andy's other toys and Woody's friends share the feeling, but they cannot feel sad forever as another problem strikes them with greater fear the minute they hear the words "yard sale".

In a heroic move, Woody manages to rescue a broken toy penguin from the sale. Unfortunately, he can do nothing when an evil toy collector Al -- the owner of Al's Toy Barn -- stole him after recognizing Woody as a valuable collectible toy.

Buzz, who was rescued by Woody in the first installment, immediately sets up a rescue team comprising himself, irreverent and irritable Mr. Potato Head, Woody's canine friend Slinky Dog, neurotic plastic dinosaur Rex and pig-headed piggy bank Hamm.

The rescue itself offers a lot of laughs, such as when Mr. Potato Head's wife prepares angry eyes for her husband in case he goes into battle, or the time when the whole gang smartly cross a busy street unaware that they have caused a massive traffic accident, or when they encounter fancy Barbie's party -- at which one of them volunteers to show them around Al's huge toy store to find Woody.

Here comes the surprise. Toy Story 2 dares to compare itself to the Star Wars' saga, with a touch of parody, when Buzz encounters his lifetime enemy in the space war, evil Emperor Zurg, during the rescue.

At that point, the movie returns to its original inspiration: a toy's fear of being discarded.

Woody, who is unaware of the rescue mission, is captivated by what he finds out in the toy collector's apartment: he is a valuable toy from a 1950's TV show titled Woody's Roundup along with a series of merchandise in his name.

He becomes even more reluctant to set himself free after meeting the show's other characters: moody Jessie the cowgirl, ecstatic Bullseye the horse and old Stinky Pete the prospector. He is offered a lifetime chance: to be displayed in a Japanese toy museum, ending his fears of being discarded by Andy.

Just like most Hollywood movies, reality sets in at the last minute. In Woody's case, he finds that Buzz's words -- "life is only worth living for a toy if you're loved by a kid" -- is true.

Soon, more Die Hard-style action is seen as Woody tries to set himself free from being sent to Japan. On the way to get back to his beloved owner, Woody and his friends have to fight Stinky Pete, a cunning and manipulative character with a kindly exterior. Then, he and Jessie still have to find a way to get off the plane as it speeds down the runway.

At this point, watching computer-animated characters risking their lives is thrilling, not much different from watching flesh and blood action stars perform the same stunts.

Just like its first installment, Toy Story 2 deserves credit for computer-animated features that distinguish it from other animation works.

The 1995 Toy Story was considered the world's first complete computer-animated feature, representing something of a milestone in computer animation to achieve effects pioneered in the six- minute Jurassic Park animation scenes in 1993.

But hoping too much while watching a movie, especially a sequel, will do no good either. Instead of busily making notes comparing the first movie and its sequel, just relax and enjoy being entertained and absorb new things such as the fact that toys don't like being thrown away. (ste)