Buzz Lightyear, Sheriff Woody, Mr. Potatohead, and many other adorable and lovable toys graced the screen in 1995’s animated “Toy Story” and its 1999 sequel “Toy Story 2.” Now Pixar and Disney have decided to put them into the limelight once more, remastered in 3D and the result is a visually astonishing experience.
For those who are not familiar with the story, when little Andy leaves his room, his toys come to life. Sheriff Woody, Andy’s favorite and leader of the diverse toy community, rules over Andy’s menagerie of toys, ranging from Slinky Dog to Dinosaur Rex. But then Buzz Lightyear, the space ranger toy with innumerable cool features (even a laser beam!) threatens Woody’s popularity. A struggle for Andy and his toys’ hearts commences.
Part two revolves around Woody’s escape from a toy vendor who he encountered in a yard sale, and the feats the toys accomplish when they work together.
Even though ten years have passed, the story never feels old. The 3D visuals only add to the witty dialogue, funny images and well-timed voice acting by Tom Hanks (Woody) and Tim Allen (Buzz). The 3D literally and figuratively adds depth, emphasizing the toys’ tiny perspective in a human-sized world. Andy’s room looks even larger, and sadistic neighbor Sid’s room of horrors even scarier. This makes the movie more engaging than the original, and it’s hard not to become invested in the toys’ plight.
However, the use of 3D is scarce, especially in the 1st movie. The dog chase and Woody and Buzz’s episode with the rocket are scenes that deserve interactive and energetic visuals. Kids — and adults — would undoubtedly be delighted if Buzz actually flew towards them.
So while this double release definitely adds a new dimension to already fantastic movies, you can’t escape feeling that it could have accomplished more. But it’s nice to see that the humor and visuals still draw laughs, which proves that Toy Story hasn’t lost its charm.
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