Toy Story 2

When Toy Story first came out in the fall of 1995, the film proved to be an event as it was the first computer-animated feature film of its time. The film drew rave reviews and massive box office giving Pixar Studios the power it needed as they returned three years later with their second film A Bug’s Life with Walt Disney Studios as its distributor. While Disney wanted a sequel to Toy Story to be a direct-to-video release, Pixar and the people involved with the film refused as it eventually became a feature-film that finally came out in the fall of 1999.

Directed by John Lasseter, with additional direction by Lee Unkrich and Ash Brannon, and screenplay by Andrew Stanton, Rita Hsaio, Doug Chamberlain, and Chris Webb that was based on a story by Lasseter, Stanton, Brannon, and Pete Docter. Toy Story 2 tells the story of Woody being kidnapped by a toy collector as Buzz Lightyear and other toys go on a rescue mission. During his captivity, Woody discovers that he was an old TV star as he is about to be sold to a Tokyo toy museum with other toys. The second film is a more ambitious film that blends all sorts of genres as it also introduces to new characters for the franchise.

Featuring the voices of previous players like Tom Hanks Tim Allen, Jim Varney, Don Rickles, Wallace Shawn, John Ratzenberger, Annie Potts, John Morris, and R. Lee Emrey plus Joan Cusack, Estelle Harris, Jodi Benson, Wayne Knight, and Kelsey Grammer. Toy Story 2 is an adventurous and heartwarming film from Pixar.

After being accidentally ripped by Andy (John Morris) before going to cowboy camp, Woody (Tom Hanks) gets shelved as he finds the old squeeze penguin toy Wheezy (Joe Ranft). When Andy’s mom (Laurie Metcalf) takes Wheeezy to sell for a garage sale, Woody with help from the dog Buster saves Wheezy only to be found by a toy collector named Al (Wayne Knight). Andy’s mom refuses to sell Woody as Al decides to steal him while Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) tries to save him. With a chicken feather and a license plate ID as clues, Buzz finds out who Al is as he organizes a mission to save Woody with help from Mr. Potato Head (Don Rickles), Slinky the Dog (Jim Varney), Rex (Wallace Shawn), and Hamm (John Ratzenberger).

During his captivity, Woody learns he was a popular toy/TV star in the 1950s as he meets Jessie the Yodeling Cowgirl (Joan Cusack), the horse Bulls-Eye, and Stinky Pete the Prospector. Learning that Al wants to sell him and the other toys to Japan to a toy museum, Woody doesn’t want to go only until he gets fixed and learns about Jessie’s story of abandonment. When Buzz and the gang finally reach Al’s toy store and his apartment with another Buzz Lightyear joining them. They learn what Woody wants to do as Buzz reminds Woody about being a toy as they’re stopped by Al prompting Buzz and the gang to go on a more daring adventure to save their friend.

In this sequel to the 1995 landmark film, director John Lasseter and his team create a story that is far more ambitious than its predecessor. Even as it recalls themes of growing up and abandonment which would play out in the third film eleven years later. Yet, the heart of the film is the friendship between Woody and Buzz as it grows much stronger in the second film. When Woody gets kidnapped, Buzz feels that he owes Woody for rescuing him in the previous films as supporting players like Slinky, Rex, Mr. Potato Head, and Hamm join in the rescue. Woody meanwhile, learns about Jessie’s own issues in a wonderful sequence that recalls Jessie’s brief life as a toy to a young girl until she got abandoned and be sent to Goodwill.

Jessie is a new character to the franchise as she is a rare female character that is more active and is willing to go out there and do what’s right. She is definitely an equal to Woody and Buzz while the character of Stinky Pete is also interesting as he is someone who had been inside a box that hopes to be loved and seen. Yet, when he realizes that Woody wants to return home, Pete’s sudden change of character becomes evident since he had never been played. Other antagonists like Al and Zurg aren’t fully-realized antagonists as Al is just a greedy man while Zurg is just a villain that wants to destroy the other Buzz Lightyear.

The direction of John Lasseter, along with help from Lee Unkrich and Ash Brannon, is truly spellbinding from the way he opens the film with a wonderful sequence of Buzz fighting aliens. The look of the film is broader with a wide depth of field as Lasseter allows the frame to show more space and characters in the film. At the same time, he mixes all sorts of genres for the film while bringing in a few film references to give it some humor. From the wide shots and close-ups Lasseter uses to the wild, intense camera movements such as Woody’s first ride with Bulls-Eye is truly amazing to watch. Overall, Lasseter and his team of co-directors and animators create a film that is equal to its predecessor.

Cinematographer Sharon Calahan does some great work with some of the lighting used for the film to bring some mood to the look such as the scene where Woody tries to sneak out at night or the scenes on top of the elevator where Buzz and the gang try to rescue Woody. Editors Lee Unkrich, Edie Bleiman, and David Ian Slater do a fantastic job with the editing such as Jessie’s flashback scenes as well as the amazing rhythm for many of the film’s action sequences. The overall work in the editing is superb as it plays it straight while adding some stylistic flairs for some of the film’s dramatic and funny moments.

Production designers William Cone and Jim Pearson do some wonderful work in the look of Al‘s Toy Barn along with the apartment and the look of Zurg‘s base in the opening sequence. Sound designers Gary Rydstrom and Tom Myers along with sound editor Michael Silvers do a fantastic job with the sound from the opening scene to the scenes in the city as the sound work is masterful.

The music by Randy Newman is a highlight of the film as it plays a wonderful mix of bombastic orchestral pieces along with low-key dramatic and funny moments to country-western music for Woody’s old show. Featuring a jazzy version of You’ve Got a Friend in Me by Robert Goulet and the theme to Woody’s show by Riders in the Sky. The real moment of the film’s soundtrack is the somber song When She Loved Me that is sung by Sarah McLachlan in Jessie’s flashback scene. It is truly the most heart-wrenching song of the soundtrack as McLachlan’s vocal performance truly captures the sense of loss that Jessie endures in that sequence.

The casting by Mary Hidalgo and Ruth Lambert is phenomenal as it features cameo voice appearances from John Lasseter and Lee Unkrich as Rock N’ Sock ‘Em Robots, Andrew Stanton as the Evil Emperor Zurg, Jodi Benson as Barbie dolls, and Dave Foley in a cameo as Flik from A Bug’s Life. Other notable voice appearances include R. Lee Emrey as Sarge, Joe Ranft as Wheezy and from A Bug’s Life Heimlich, Jonathan Harris as Geri the Cleaner, Laurie Metcalf as Andy’s mom, John Morris as Andy, and Jeff Pidgeon as the Squeeze Toy Aliens. Estelle Harris is wonderfully funny as Mrs. Potato Head along with Annie Potts as Bo Peep. Wayne Knight is very funny as over-zealous toy collector Al while Kelsey Grammer is great as the manipulative yet charming Stinky Pete the Prospector.

John Ratzenberger and Don Rickles are amazing as in their respective yet hilarious roles as Hamm and Mr. Potato Head. Wallace Shawn is joyfully superb as the insecure yet video-game obsessed Rex. Jim Varney is excellent as loyal yet sassy Slinky. Joan Cusack is phenomenal as Jessie the Yodeling Cowgirl with her lively vocal performance as well as the sense of anguish she faces about her memories in being a toy as she is the real highlight of the film. Tom Hanks and Tim Allen are spectacular in their respective roles as Woody and Buzz. Hanks brings that every-man quality to Woody along with a sense of fear about not being played with only to remember the value of being a toy. Allen brings a performance that is very engaging as Buzz along with some humor about his own reaction to the Buzz Lightyear toys. Even as he gets to be very silly as the other Buzz.

Toy Story 2 is truly a superb sequel to its 1995 predecessor as John Lasseter and company step up their game in bringing a film that is entertaining and heartwarming. While it’s hard to say which of the three films of the Toy Story trilogy is the best as they each have something different to offer. The second is truly one of the most lively and imaginative thanks to the introduction of new characters like Jessie and Bulls-Eye along with old characters from the previous everyone knows and love. In the end, Toy Story 2 is a joyful film that allows the audience to spend more time with Woody, Buzz, and the rest of the characters of the beloved franchise.

Pixar Films: Toy Story - A Bug’s Life - (Monsters, Inc.) - (Finding Nemo) - The Incredibles - Cars - Ratatouille - WALL-E - Up - Toy Story 3 - Cars 2 - Brave - Monsters University - Inside Out - The Good Dinosaur - (Finding Dory) - (Cars 3) - Coco - Incredibles 2 - Toy Story 4 - (Onward) - Soul (2020 film) - (Luca (2021 film)) - Turning Red - (Lightyear) - (Elemental (2023 film)) - Inside Out 2 - (Elio) – (Toy Story 5)

© thevoid99 2011

X-Men 3: The Last Stand

Originally Written and Posted at Epinions.com on 5/28/06 w/ Extensive Re-Edits & Revisions.

When the X-Men comic books finally became feature films in 2000 with director Bryan Singer in the helm. The response at first was mixed but positive since it brought new fans a nice introduction to the cast of the X-Men team while giving Australian actor Hugh Jackman a real breakthrough as Wolverine. In 2003, Singer reunited with most of the cast for the sequel called X2: X-Men United that not only received better reviews but spectacular box office numbers as fans praised the film for a stronger story, more characters, and better performances from the cast. What really shocked fans in the second film was the sacrificial death of one of the story's major characters in Jean Grey. Yet, when fans heard she would return as the Dark Phoenix, it was clear that the X-Men franchise was getting into better storylines.

Unfortunately, plans for the third film was becoming very troubled as the development for the story was troubling as Bryan Singer chose to leave the franchise with his team to work on the much-delayed Superman movie. Problems also occurred when Halle Berry chose to leave the franchise for her own attempt in stardom but after 2004's Catwoman got destroyed in the box office, she returned awaiting to see who would become the new director. After Layer Cake director Matthew Vaughn was signed on and then chose to leave, Rush Hour director Brett Ratner came into the helm where to some fans, it leaves a lot of worries but Ratner ensured that he wouldn't screw it up. With the focus on the Dark Phoenix plot and the war between the X-Men and Magneto's Brotherhood in the story, X-Men 3: The Last Stand is well underway.

With a screenplay by Zak Penn and Simon Kinberg with Brett Ratner as director, X-Men 3: The Last Stand revolves around a vaccine that cures the mutation gene which gives mutants the chance to be cured. While neither Magneto or his former friend Charles Xavier are fond of the cure, it only increases Magneto's hatred for humans even more as he declares a war against them. Making things worse for the X-Men team is the re-discovery of Jean Grey's body that has evolved into something far worse as she becomes the Dark Phoenix who joins the Brotherhood. With the X-Men short on allies, it's up to Xavier, Logan, Storm, and company to save the humans and make a stand against the Brotherhood.

Returning from the previous parts of the franchise are Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, Halle Berry, James Marsden, Famke Janssen, Anna Paquin, Shawn Ashmore, Daniel Cudmore, Ian McKellen, Aaron Stanford, and Rebecca Romijn. Joining the new cast are Ben Foster, Kelsey Grammer, Ellen Page, Shoreh Aghdashloo, Olivia Williams, Josef Sommers, Dania Ramirez, Vinnie Jones, and Cameron Bright. X-Men 3: The Last Stand has its moments but is a very un-compelling, messy film.

A new U.S. President (Josef Sommers) has maintained peace with mutants by being open to their cause with from its Secretary of Affairs in Hank McCoy/Beast (Kelsey Grammer).  When news about a cure for the mutant gene developed by Warren Worthington II (Michael Murphy), McCoy is worried as he turns to his old mentor Charles Xavier (Patrick Stewart) about the cure and its source in a young mutant named Jimmy (Cameron Bright).  Xavier worries that it will give his old friend Erik Lehnsherr/Magneto (Ian McKellan) more reasons to fight as his comrade Mystique (Rebecca Romijn) has been captured.  With Logan/Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) and Storm (Halle Berry) helping to train young mutants for combat, both are unsure if their pupils are ready with Scott Summers/Cyclops (James Marsden) still in mourning over the death of Jean Grey (Famke Janssen).

With news of the cure reaching Xavier's school, mixed feelings arrive among everyone though Rogue (Anna Paquin) sees it as a good thing as she isn't fond of her powers.  Even as her boyfriend Bobby/Iceman (Shawn Ashmore) has been taking interest towards Kitty Pryde/Shadowcat (Ellen Page).  Magneto meanwhile, uses the news of the cure as a rallying cry to forge the Brotherhood with help from his new protege Pyro (Aaron Stanford) and other new mutants in Callisto (Dania Ramirez) as they help retrieve Mystique along with a couple of mutants in Multiple Man (Eric Dane) and Juggernaut (Vinnie Jones).  When Scott goes to Alkali Lake where Jean has reappeared as Xavier senses Jean only to realize something is right.  Logan learns that Xavier used psychic blocks to prevent a dark personality in Jean in order to protect her as Logan's feelings for her lead to an escape.

With Magneto realizing that Jean is alive and more powerful, he tries to get her to his side as Xavier pleads to not to let her dark side control her while Logan and Storm try to fight off Magneto's Brotherhood.  Following a devastating loss and pondering what to do, Logan tries to find the Brotherhood and what Magneto is up to while Warren Worthington's mutant son Warren III (Ben Foster) joins the school as he helps out.  After returning from Magneto's secret base and learning his plans, Logan, Storm, and Hank along with younger, trained mutants decide to fight Magneto and his Brotherhood and the more dangerous Jean who is now Phoenix.

When the X-Men franchise was in the hands of Bryan Singer and his team, it allowed Singer to get a chance to develop the characters and create something that was more than a typical blockbuster action film.  Singer's departure along with his team changes things as the franchise goes into the hand of a much more commercial filmmaker in Brett Ratner.  While Ratner does have a good ear for humor and knows how to get the ball rolling.  The problem is that he along with screenwriters Zak Penn and Simon Kinberg cram too many ideas, storylines, and exposition into a film that becomes very messy.  The script doesn't allow the audience to figure out what's going on or to slow the story down.  Even as there's too many characters to follow where things needed to be simplified or have some of central figure to follow.

Ratner's direction does have a few excellent moments such as the training scene as well as some intimate scenes at Xavier's school.  For the rest of the film, it seems uninspiring and overblown at times.  The action scenes move a little too fast while the dramatic moments comes across as cheesy and unnecessary.  While Ratner does try to put some humor in scenes where he gets one notable humorous action moment right, the rest of it doesn't seem to work.  A lot of the big action moments don't feel very natural as the overall film is an excessive mess that doesn't stretch itself or simplify things for its audience. 

Cinematographer Dante Spinotti does an OK job with the photography though at times, he goes overboard with visual flair and digital coloring that makes the film seem unnatural in its look. Production designer Ed Verraux does excellent work in creating the look of the school and the meeting of the Brotherhood through its forests where most of it is shot in Vancouver. Visual effects supervisor John Bruno and team do great work on the visual effects, notably the final battle sequence and Magneto's movement of the Golden Gate Bridge. Sound designer Craig Henighan also does excellent work on the sound while editors Mark Goldblatt, Mark Helfrich, and Julia Wong do a decent job in the cutting work in giving the story some speed although the fast cuts tend to lose sight on the story.

Costume designer Judianna Makovsky does great work on the costumes while giving the X-Men suits a new look of sorts while make-up supervisor Rosalina Da Silva and her team do great work on the makeup, particularly for the character of Beast. John Powell also does good bombastic work on the film's score that plays up to the intensity of the action as well as the dramatic moments of the film.

The film's cast features some great, small performances from Anthony Heald as an interrogator, Haley Ramm as the young Jean Grey, Cayden Boyd as the young Warren III, and the cameos of Stan Lee, Olivia Williams as an associate of Xavier, and the voice of R. Lee Emrey. Bill Duke as General Trask and Josef Sommers as the President are decent in their brief roles while Oscar nominee Shoreh Aghdashloo as Dr. Rao is sorted of wasted in a thankless role. Michael Murphy is also good while Ben Foster is OK as Angel though he doesn't get much to do. Omahyra and Eric Dane are memorable in their role as Brotherhood mutants while Daniel Cudmore is somewhat wasted as Colossus since he only gets one line in the film. Rebecca Romijn is also wasted as Mystique since by the first 20-30 minutes, she's gone which is a shame to a very enjoyable character that only Romijn could do. Cameron Bright is terrible as Jimmy as he spends most of the film giving the creepy gaze that he's always done in a lot of his performances.

Dania Ramirez is awful as Callisto as she tries to be all tough when it doesn't really work as her dialogue delivery is very amateurish.  James Marsden's role as Cyclops is also brief as only becomes a plot device in the part of Jean Grey's evolution as Phoenix. Of all the newcomers to join the film, Ellen Page, in her brief moments, is a real standout in the role of Kitty Pryde as she reveals all the insecurities and attitude in what it takes to be a mutant of power.  Shawn Ashmore also stands out as Iceman as he develops from a character who finally gets to use the full potential of his powers for the use of good as he has a great scene with Aaron Stanford. Stanford really shines as Magneto's new right-hand man who apparently still has a lot to learn about morals in his scenes with Ian McKellan. Vinnie Jones is another big standout in the role of the Juggernaut as he has some great, hilarious one-liners and some cool moments where he quotes, "I'm the Juggernaut bitch!"

Of all the new actors to join the series, Kelsey Grammer is very good combining his intellectual wit that he brought from Frasier to the role of Beast. Grammer brings full advantage of a mutant who understands both prejudice and intolerance while he got to do some amazing fight scenes as well. Anna Paquin, unfortunately, despite her efforts couldn't make Rogue into a strong character that was expected from the comic book fans. Paquin is forced to act frustrated and lonely as she ends up being really wasted after having a flawed if strong performance in the first film. Ian McKellan is great, as usual, in the role of the villainous Magneto whose fury upon the humans reveals his prejudice and how blind he's become from the person he was early in the film's first few minutes in a flashback scene. Patrick Stewart is also great as the more tolerant Charles Xavier whose fear of Jean’s full powers show that he's a flawed man trying to do what is right for everyone including his students.

Famke Janssen delivers a good as Jean Grey/Phoenix as a woman whose emotional and mental disability clashes with the woman that fans knew in the previous film and the dark, maniacal Phoenix. Janssen reveals the troubles of the character full-on as it's a woman we all know we don't want to mess with but have pity for. Halle Berry is good as Storm can do and delivers a kick-ass performance by flying, shooting out lightning, and doing all sorts of stuff though her dramatic moments are weak due to the script's shortcomings. The franchise's breakout star Hugh Jackman is good though not great as Wolverine as he does what he's expected to do though he's not really given the chance to be more out there as it's a step-down from the more developed role he had in the previous film.

Despite some decent moments and some performances, X-Men 3:  The Last Stand is a very disappointing film in the X-Men franchise.  Blame should go to Brett Ratner for just trying to do too much and give people what they want except giving them a cohesive story and a central story to focus on.  It's no doubt it's the weakest of the first three films though it's not the worst film of the X-Men franchise which goes to the debacle that was the prequel X-Men Origins:  Wolverine.  It's a film that does have some entertaining moments but not enough to satisfy its fans who enjoyed the previous films as X-Men 3:  The Last Stand is a full-blown mess. 

X-Men Films: X-Men - X2: X-Men United - X-Men Origins: Wolverine - X-Men: First Class - The Wolverine - X-Men: Days of Future Past - X-Men: Apocalypse - Logan (2017 film) - Deadpool 2 – (X-Men: Dark Phoenix) - (New Mutants)

© thevoid99 2011