Toy Story - article by Whimsical Wire Articles

Toy Story 2

Animated movies received a boost when the creative people at Pixar put their heads together. They released a series of computer-generated films that appeal to adults and children. One of these hits was Toy Story, the story of a bedroom full of toys belonging to a boy named Andy. The toys come to life when no one is observing them and they endure various adventures. The sequel, Toy Story 2 was even more successful at the box office than the original film and won a Golden Globe award for Best Picture.

The sequel involved most of the characters found in the first movie with Tom Hanks voicing Woody and Tim Allen voicing Buzz Lightyear once again. The other regulars were there again in support, including Mr. Potato Head, Hamm, Bo Peep, Rex and Slinky Dog. They were joined by new characters with Joan Cusack as Jessie, Kelsey Grammer as Stinky Pete the Prospector and Estelle Harris as Mrs. Potato Head.

The toys are plunged into perilous situations and Woody is kidnapped by an unscrupulous man called Al McWhiggen. It's revealed that Woody was once part of an Old West children's television show called Woody's Roundup and McWhiggen is collecting all the characters to sell to a Japanese museum. Buzz Lightyear and friends mount a daring rescue to save Woody from his plight.

The quality of the animation and script of Toy Story 2 lived up to expectations. Singer songwriter Randy Newman wrote two new songs for the soundtrack. Sarah McLachlan sang When She Loved Me, which received an Oscar nomination for Best Song and the country and western group, Riders in the Sky, performed Woody's Roundup, which was the theme song from the old show.

A two disc special edition of the DVD was released for Toy Story 2, featuring outtakes, deleted scenes and a trailer for another Pixar movie, which was released as Cars. The merchandise for the film is very popular and there are action figures, Buzz Lightyear gadgets and space craft, lunch boxes, wallpaper and so on.

Movies usually tie in with video games today and the Toy Story 2: Buzz Lightyear to the Rescue proved to be a hit with players. It is a platform game with fifteen levels and was designed to be played on Nintendo 64, PlayStation, Dreamcast and PC. There is also an alternative version that is suitable for Game Boy Color.

Fans are now looking forward to the next installment in the lives of Woody, Buzz and friends. Pixar announced that Toy Story 3 will be released in 2010 and Tom Hanks and Tim Allen are confirmed to reprise their roles. Perhaps the franchise will really go to infinity and beyond!

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