Reviewed by Kim Choe
Disney has found the smartest possible way to introduce these Pixar classics to a new generation – not only have they re-released the adventures of Woody and friends as a two-for-the-price-of-one, back-to-back double feature, they’ve done it in the mode du jour for animated films – 3D.
It’s a clever and not-so-subtle ploy to build hype (and fill more cinemas) in the lead-up to Toy Story 3’s release later this year. Disney is lucky that it inherited such quality films when it took over Pixar in 2006, because the double billing will attract new young audiences and nostalgic Generation Y-ers alike.
Both films have aged remarkably well, with the stories and characters remaining just as charming as when they were first released (Toy Story in 1995 and its sequel in 1999). In the first we are introduced to the myriad of brilliantly personified toys vying for their owner Andy’s affections, while trying to avoid the clutches of evil neighbour Sid. Then, after a 10-minute interval during which one must make the difficult choice between food, bathroom, and the entertaining Toy Story trivia quiz (interspersed with teaser clips from the upcoming new release), the residents of Andy’s toy box reunite to stop their hero Woody from being consigned to life as a museum relic in Japan.
Having not watched either of them since I was playing with toys myself, I was surprised by how much more I was able to appreciate this time around. Although the original is very much a simply scripted children’s film, it’s clear that by the time of the sequel the writers had cottoned on to that winning Pixar formula of slyly embedding witty references to keep the grownups happy – and it’s for that reason I enjoyed the latter release much more than my memory seemed to suggest I would.
However, I was disappointed by how little the 3D added to the experience. The action scenes aren’t fast-paced enough to deliver the same dramatic effect as in Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs, and the locations don’t require the same depth that made Up so impressive. In some ways it feels like Disney is suffering from its own ‘Woody complex’, over-compensating in order to compete with its more modern and technologically-advanced rivals.
They needn’t have worried. The big name vocal talents (including Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, and Joan Cusack) literally speak for themselves, as do the timeless songs of Randy Newman. The beauty of Toy Story is in its simplicity – and that’s the way it should stay.
Four stars.
Toy Story & Toy Story 2 3D double feature
:: Director: John Lasseter
:: Starring: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, John Cusack, Kelsey Grammer
:: Running Time: 185 mins
:: Rating: G
:: Release Date: February 18, 2010
