Toy Story - The Ultimate Toy Box (Collector's Edition)

Buy This Item Toy Story - The Ultimate Toy Box (Collector's Edition) by Disney/Pixar  Available from Amazon  $69.99  on 1-4-2009     <b><I>Toy Story</I></b> There is greatness in film that can be discussed, dissected, and talked about late into the night. Then there is genius that is right in front of our faces--we smile at the spell it puts us into and are refreshed, and nary a word needs to be spoken. This kind of entertainment is what they used to call "movie magic," and there is loads of it in this irresistible computer animation feature. Just a picture of these bright toys on the cover of <I>Toy Story</I> looks intriguing, reawakening the kid in us. Filmmaker John Lasseter's shorts (namely <I>Knickknack</I> and <I>Tin Toy</I>, which can be found on the Pixar video <I>Tiny Toy Stories</I>) illustrate not only a technical brilliance but also a great sense of humor--one in which the pun is always intended. Lasseter thinks of himself as a storyteller first and an animator second, much like another film innovator, Walt Disney. <p> Lasseter's story is universal and magical: what do toys do when they're not played with? Cowboy Woody (voiced by Tom Hanks), Andy's favorite bedroom toy, tries to calm the other toys (some original, some classic) during a wrenching time of year--the birthday party, when newer toys may replace them. Sure enough, Space Ranger Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) is the new toy that takes over the throne. Buzz has a crucial flaw, though--he believes he's the real Buzz Lightyear, not a toy. Bright and cheerful, <I>Toy Story</I> is much more than a 90-minute commercial for the inevitable bonanza of Woody and Buzz toys. Lasseter further scores with perfect voice casting, including Don Rickles as Mr. Potato Head and Wallace Shawn as a meek dinosaur. The director-animator won a special Oscar for "the development and inspired application of techniques that have made possible the first feature-length computer-animated film." In other words, the movie is great. <I>--Doug Thomas</I><p> <b><I>Toy Story 2</I></b> John Lasseter and his gang of high-tech creators at Pixar create another entertainment for the ages. Like the few great movie sequels, <I>Toy Story 2</I> comments on why the first one was so wonderful while finding a fresh angle worthy of a new film. The craze of toy collecting becomes the focus here, as we find out Woody (voiced by Tom Hanks) is not only a beloved toy to Andy but also a rare doll from a popular '60s children's show. When a greedy collector takes Woody, Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) launches a rescue mission with Andy's other toys. To say more would be a crime because this is one of the most creative and smile-inducing films since, well, the first <I>Toy Story</I>. <p> Although the toys look the same as in the 1994 feature, Pixar shows how much technology has advanced: the human characters look more human, backgrounds are superior, and two action sequences that book-end the film are dazzling. And it's a hoot for kids and adults. The film is packed with spoofs, easily accessible in-jokes, and inspired voice casting (with newcomer Joan Cusack especially a delight as Cowgirl Jessie). But as the Pixar canon of films illustrates, the filmmakers are storytellers first. Woody's heart-tugging predicament can easily be translated into the eternal debate of living a good life versus living forever. <I>Toy Story 2</I> also achieved something in the U.S. two other outstanding 1999 animated features (<I>The Iron Giant</I>, <I>Princess Mononoke</I>) could not: it became a huge box-office hit. <I>--Doug Thomas</I> Reader Reviews I ordered a movie for my son who is almost three. he loves Toy Story, but tends to ruin movies really fast ("Let me do it") anyway we received it brand new, fast , and half the price of anuyu store.

Toy Story - The Ultimate Toy Box (Collector's Edition) Available from Amazon Price: $69.99 Updated on 1-4-2009.

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