| RATING: | 100% |
| FORMAT: | DVD |
Extends the idea of reversing childhood frustrations with toys that do not do what they say on the wrapper and so only work well in one’s imagination.
Yet, this idea here is parodied because the toys still do not do what they “should”, they do something far more interesting - they actually come alive.
The characters are as brilliantly-realized and as vivid as before - especially the cowgirl (voiced by Joan CUSACK) and Rex (Wallace SHAWN) - despite the rather simplistic plotting.
This one tries to appeal more to adults who collect, rather than play with, toys. This has the effect of avoiding child characters; risking losing the child audience, yet while skillfully managing to avoid doing so. The toys here are shown out of their natural context - a child’s bedroom - and so have a life of their own; helping develop and deepen the characters and our relationship with them.
The running theme is an interesting tension between mass-produced toys and the individualism of the central characters, seen in the comparison and contrast between the Buzz Lightyear we know and love and the serried rows of identical Buzz Lightyears at the local toy store. This further emphasizes the superb character animation and voice work on show.
However, emphasis is also laid on the fact that this is a one-hit-wonder movie idea that cannot be developed dramatically. A lot of talk concerns a toy’s proper place being with kids and not in a museum, but little evidence that this is true is ever offered since most of the film is spent reconnecting with orphaned toys and their former owners.
What spoils these films for future generations is that the current immaturity of CGI means the humans look more toy-like than the toys. Yet, these are still the best computer-animated cartoons so far made.
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