Alive: The toys are back, and how

The toys are back, and how

The Toy Story sequel has all the charm and energy of the first, and some new characters sure to make someone's wish list.

By STEVE PERSALL

The best movie of 1995 was Toy Story, with its uncommon script and a breathtaking advancement in the language of animated cinema. No other feature film had ever been produced entirely on computer screens, creating a visual effect that was startling in its proximity to reality.

That technology is now a frequent tool in films and TV commercials, so Toy Story 2 doesn't contain the same genuine surprise as the original. That is the only setback from the first adventures of Sheriff Woody, Buzz Lightyear and their plaything pals. Toy Story 2 is a grandly satisfying sequel, not repetitive at all, but wisely expanding the characters and conditions that charmed audiences before.

This movie isn't mere child's play. Like the original, Toy Story 2 contains a nostalgic theme and dramatic elements aimed at grown-up sensibilities. Yet, it's good, clean fun that children can enjoy without question or a parent's concern. Film buffs can appreciate the technical brilliance, and even indifferent moviegoers will be royally entertained.

Toy Story 2 begins with an action sequence eclipsing the brilliant chases of the first film, an intergalactic battle between Buzz (voice of Tim Allen) and his nemesis Emperor Zurg. The video-game hyperactivity of the sequence makes perfect sense, and the scope of this action is a rousing introduction. Before long, the plot comes back to Earth and we settle in with old friends again.

Woody (Tom Hanks) is sharing his leadership of young Andy's toy collection with Buzz. Things are going wittily until another crisis arises, comparable to Andy opening birthday gifts. This time, it's a yard sale, and Woody's long-lost buddy Wheezy the penguin has a price on his head. Woody makes a daring rescue attempt and winds up stolen by Al (Wayne Knight), a sleazy toy store owner who recognizes this lanky stuffed cowboy.

Turns out that Woody was once the star of a 1950s puppet show on television, and Al has collected every franchise product except him. A museum in Japan is willing to pay a fortune for Al's collection. The other characters -- Jessie the Cowgirl (Joan Cusack), an old prospector (Kelsey Grammar) and Bullseye the trusty horse want to go, if only to escape decades of storage. They insist Woody owes them that much, and he might agree, although that means deserting Buzz and other loyal friends coming to his rescue.

Woody's conflict is a great idea. The first movie's pathos centered on Buzz learning that he isn't the space ranger he thought himself to be. He learned to be happy and make the most of who he is. Anyone who has ever failed understood. In the sequel, Woody discovers he is actually more than he ever dreamed and must deal with that. Anyone who has ever left behind the familiar for self-improvement can relate. Hanks put that lump in his voice to good use conveying Woody's worries.

All of which makes the jokes funnier and the perfectly detailed action sequences more exciting. Toy Story 2 is loaded with references to other films, including call-backs to the original. Buzz and the toys must travel dozens of city blocks to reach Al's store, and a scene of them crossing a busy intersection makes ingenious use of plain red traffic cones. The wizards of Pixar dream up plenty of thrills, moving the computer process forward with scenes of Woody's antiquated show, a frisky puppy and Buzz's opening romp.

The vocal talent is flawless. Everyone is back from the original, four years and a phenomenon wiser. The new additions are worthwhile, with Cusack especially good as feisty, frustrated Jessie. She is the focus of the film's only musical piece, an ode to her previous owner titled When She Loved Me, sung by Sarah MacLachlan. It's one of Randy Newman's finest love songs. A minor complaint about Toy Story 2 is that Newman's carelessly moving rasp isn't heard, in a movie that could stand at least one more original song.

Our ears miss Newman, but our eyes and emotions are never cheated. Toy Story 2 is another amazing piece of work from Pixar, using the occasion to explain its reading-lamp logo with a screening of Luxo Jr., a 1986 short subject marking the studio's Oscar-nominated debut. Even then, Pixar was melding state-of-the-art with gentleness of the heart. Toy Story 2 is another marvelous gift for the holidays.

Toy Story 2

Grade: A

Directors: John Lasseter, Colin Brady, Ash Brannon, Lee Unkrich

Cast: Voices of Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Wayne Knight, Kelsey Grammar, Don Rickles, John Ratzenberger, Jim Varney, Wallace Shawn, Jodi Benson

Screenplay: Andrew Stanton, Rita Hsiao, Doug Chamberlin, Chris Webb

Rating: G; mild violence

Running time: 90 min.