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Whether grownup or moppet, never again will you discard your toys without mulling the moral consequences of your actions. The second coming of director John Lasseter's wonderful fantasy about a little boy and his toys is indeed sprinkled with magic movie dust. Prepare to enjoy.
In this issue, megalomaniac toy collector Al McWhiggin (a villainously smarmy Wayne Knight) has designs of kidnapping cowboy doll Woody (Tom Hanks) from Andy (John Morris) and selling him to a toy museum in Japan. It seems that owing to the western action figure's kiddie show stardom on "Roundup" back in the 1950s, he is now the object of high kitsch; acquiring him will give the toy world's answer to Sydney Greenstreet the matched set he needs for his money-grubbing scheme. He already has Stinky Pete the Prospector (Kelsey Grammer), Jessie the Singing Cowgirl (Joan Cusack), and Bullseye, Woody's rambunctious but trusty steed.
The tongue-in-cheek satire of children's shows and their merchandising tie-ins is refreshingly self-effacing, and not in the least disingenuous even in light of the veritable fortune that will be made selling graven images of Woody and his brave pals. It only figures. Adding to the glib irony, it's this plastic bunch led by heroic spaceman Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) who battle the heinous profiteer in order to rescue Woody. The astute voice characterisations submitted by a superb cast breathe both hilarity and enamouring dramatic filigree into the remarkably simple plot.
There's Hamm the piggy bank, voiced by John Ratzenberger (Cliff the mail carrier of Cheers fame); Don Rickles as Mr. Potato Head, whose Mrs. Potato Head wife (Estelle Harris) packs his "angry eyes" when he leaves for the crusade; Wallace Shawn as Rex the dinosaur; and Jim Varney as Slinky Dog. Finer human beings trapped in the polyvinyl bodies of toys this world has never known. Their quips are priceless.
The wonderfully involving tale doesn't self-consciously pander to the viewer; there is no awkward malarkey about reaching audiences on "more than one level." Quite naturally, Toy Story 2 plays on that most important of all levels -- the one that's labelled, "Children of All Ages." Like its genuinely warm-hearted humour, all the film's joys, hopes, and fears are universal. Adults whose children don't want to see this movie again, at least not just yet, might find themselves volunteering to take nieces, nephews and neighbour kids.
Of course leave it to Tom Hanks to stand out in any situation. Even when you can't see him. Continuing his Midas touch ways with just the right quality of intonation, exclamation and resonance, it is apparent that Mr. Hanks is not merely the voice of his computer-generated protagonist, but his very soul. The convincing verbalisations make for a delightful suspension of disbelief, which in turn gives the film a credible platform from which to launch its primary parable and a host of winsomely supporting metaphors.
Eventually faced with a tragic dilemma, Woody isn't sure if he wants to be rescued after all. Ideally, the cowpoke dreamily opines, a toy only comes alive when he's being loved by the little kid who owns him. But then the prospect of being adored for eternity at the museum has its allure, too. So what will it be? Immortality or a short but glorious life?
Fellow "Roundup" cohort Jessie, still scarred from when she was abandoned by the little girl who outgrew her, jealously warns Woody that the day awaits when he'll also be shelved; his remaining time with Andy would thus be limited. In other words, is it better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all?
Other philosophical questions abound, happily posited amidst the colourful jumble of events as Woody's toy chest compatriots fight the good fight under the banners of friendship, duty and honour.
Aside from all the fun it unleashes, Toy Story 2 imparts life lessons, and gives children a preview glimpse into the responsibilities of adulthood. For grownups, it is heart-warming, devilishly satirical, and above all nostalgic. We are indulgently reminded of what can be learned by watching a child at play. For how he behaves is often a good indication of how he will treat his fellow human beings when he grows up. And who knows. Maybe, just maybe, if he treats his toys with respect, they will come back one day as a loving family and good friends. Gosh, I know it worked for me.
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