While it's always hard to make a sequel that lives up to the original. Luckily, despite the tumultuous production from the extremely tight deadline to literally deleting the entire movie by accident, Toy Story 2 is one of the best sequels made that arguably surpasses the original. Let's get popping. In Toy Story 2, Andy is off to cowboy camp and Woody is stolen after being left behind with a ripped arm. The thief is no other than Al, the owner of a toy store and collector of old toys. It's up to Buzz and the other toys to save Woody before he's sold and sent to a museum in Japan. I love the first film but there was something about Toy Story 2 that I preferred and that's still the case today. On top of the animation being better, especially in the lighting department, the story feels grander while pushing the toys into a reasonable direction for its characters. It's in here Woody has to confront the idea of Andy eventually growing up and not needing him anymore, something echoed by the inclusion of Jessie who deals with the anxiety of being abandoned. The Toy Story films have the ability to be consistently relevant for both the kids and parents that watch, growing up with the viewers and allowing the film to address these deeper themes. John Lasseter returns to direct but is working along side some others, one of which will end up directing the next film. This film is extremely tight, paced super well, and very funny and emotional, more so than the first film. The introduction of Jessie, Bullseye, and the Prospector are great as is Al of Al's Toy Barn played by Wayne Knight. The new characters fit in seamlessly and truly add to the story and themes. Once again, I have to praise Tom Hanks and Tim Allen who play their parts very well as Woody and Buzz, having a bit more to do here. Joan Cusack is perfect as Jessie too. Randy Newman's score is still perfect and his song with Sarah McLachlan is an emotional punch. All of this added together culminates to a perfect sequel and it blows my mind that the best film has yet to come.

There isnt really a bad Toy Story movie though is there? The characters are too good to fail. Not only did this movie keep the same charm and feel of the first, it also managed to introduce new characters that instantly fit into the series, It was impressive how well all of the new features added onto the original.

This movie reminds of the golden age of Pixar. Toy Story 2 (1999), directed by John Lasseter, is a heartwarming and adventurous sequel that builds on the success of its predecessor. Featuring the return of iconic voices like Tim Allen as Buzz Lightyear and Tom Hanks as Woody, the film explores deeper themes of identity, friendship, and belonging. When Woody is kidnapped by a toy collector, Buzz and the gang embark on a rescue mission, leading to a series of comedic and emotional moments. The animation is stunning for its time, and the film’s ability to balance humor with touching moments makes it a standout in the Toy Story series. Toy Story 2 is a rare sequel that not only matches but often surpasses the original in its storytelling and emotional depth.

Toy Story 2 is a banger of a follow up movie. For a long time this was my favorite one in the series. Woody as a toy getting a lot more lore this time around. We find out that he came from a very old tv show that had been cancelled after its first season, therefore making him extremely rare, along with the new crew of toys that were also part of the show. Watching Buzz this time around be the one going on the journey to rescue Woody was a pretty exciting watch because this time it’s not just them two, a lot of the toys get more screen time as well. To me however, the best character in this movie is Jessie. First impressions she seems like a very excited and energetic toy. Once the truth comes out about Woody leaving because he still has an owner, we see how her reaction is overly negative. Once we find out why, she immediately becomes an extremely empathetic character. The sequence of her traumatic past being shown is nothing less than brilliant, beautiful movie.

Let’s just be honest here, I’m not going to beat around the bush, this is arguably the greatest sequel ever made. If I could give it an 11/10, I would. I absolutely adore this film and it is my favourite of all of the Toy Story entries. It improves on its predecessor in every single conceivable way. It introduces us to even more iconic characters like Jessie, Bullseye and Zurg. The animation is noticeably improved. It’s a beautiful story full of heart, emotion and a lot of humour that challenges these characters are new and exciting ways. Speaking of characters, they may be split up here but their individual missions are balanced perfectly and all of the characters contribute, which is something that future films could have learned from! It doesn’t rehash the original like a lot of sequels do, it is progression in every aspect and completely justifies its existence. Oh, and I didn’t even mention that ASMR restoration scene, one of the most satisfying sequences in cinema history. There aren’t enough hyperboles to describe Toy Story 2… But for me “masterpiece” and “completely and utterly perfect” spring to mind. 10/10 and/or 5 stars honestly still feels a little insulting for this one, words can’t explain just how much I love it.