TOY STORY 2

US, 1999, 92 minutes, Colour.
Voices of: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Kelsey Grammer, Don Rickles, Jim Varney, Wallace Shawn, John Ratzenberger, Annie Potts, Wayne Knight, John Morris, Laurie Metcalf.
Directed by John Lasseter and Ash Brannon.

Toy Story 2 was the sequel to the very popular Toy Story of the mid-1990s. It established strong characters led by Woody (Tom Hanks) and Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen). This film is in the same vein – and many consider it the equal to Toy Story. It was one of Pixar’s earliest films after Toy Story and A Bug’s Life. They were to go on to great success in the next decade with such films as Monsters Inc and, especially, Finding Nemo and The Incredibles.

The film focuses on a young boy Andy and his toys. When he is not looking, they come alive. There is a great range of characters including Prospector Pete (Kelsey Grammer), Jessie the Yodelling Cowgirl (Joan Cusack).

The plot is slight – after an opening where Buzz seems to be being captured by the Emperor Zurg in space, it emerges that there is a toy sale. When a penguin is left behind, Woody tries to rescue him but finds himself captured by an evil toy collector. It is up to all the toys to collect together to rescue Woody – which they do, plenty of action and adventures on the way, so that all will be in place when Andy returns from summer camp.

1.The popularity of Toy Story? With children, with adults? The sequel and its impact?

2.The popular elements: the style of computer animation, the drawing of the characters? The action ingredients? Buzz Lightyear and his action? The contrast with Woody, the cowboy? The musical score – and the songs? Randy Newman’s style of music? The voices, the expressions? The background of Andy the boy and his absence, the toys and their activities? To the rescue?

3.The qualities of Pixar animation, the computer graphics, the creation of characters, the locations, décor, the different styles of the toys and their personalities? Musical score and songs?

4.Audience response to the toys themselves, their personalities, look, activities?

5.The opening, Buzz and the games, his waking up and the sale being on? The penguin, Woody being abducted? The basic situation for a rescue?

6.Bud, his character, slightly obtuse, the games? The dinosaur? The plans?

7.Tom Hanks as Woody, the hero of the playground, broken, his attempt to rescue Wheezy? The garage sale?

8.Al, his collection of toys, his plans, taking Wheezy, taking Woody? The enemy for the film?

9.The various toys and their participation in the rescue? Prospector Pete, Jessie, the horse? The dinosaur? Hamm? Mr Potato Head?

10.The rescue, the various incidents, amusing, the excitement, the shop? The introduction of Barbie – and the jokes? The other Bud? The elevator?

11.The decision for the toys, the basis for their decision? Getting home in time?

12.The airport, Andy, his parents, the return home? All in order?