Opens November 24, 1999

When you see a perfect movie, you know it in your gut, especially since they don't come along that often. But when they do, well, at the risk of sounding trite, it's magic. And, just in time for the holiday season, Disney and Pixar have given the public the best present of all. Toy Story 2 is everything a movie should be and more. In fact, film students and pros alike would do well to make this a case study of superb filmmaking because all the elements are so exquisitely balanced here. This film was a joy to behold.

Like The Godfather II is to The Godfather, Toy Story 2 is to its predecessor. It is grander, more lyrical, more profound if you will, reinventing the franchise and letting us see it with new eyes. And if you think the novelty of the technology has worn off after the first film, think again. The characters and their world are as fresh and vivid as the first time, if not more so.

Okay, now it's time to back up my gushing. What makes this movie so remarkable? For starters, it's one of the most tightly woven scripts I've seen all year. Elements introduced early on dovetail flawlessly with the story at the end. Character arcs are fully fleshed out with each toy being given his or her moment in the sun. The big "action/effects sequences" are as gripping as those of any live action film. And, bless the writers, the jokes are truly funny, indeed sometimes downright inspired. In fact, I'd go so far as to say this writing deserves a nomination. It has everything an award-winning script should have.

This outing finds Buzz and Woody flip-flopping adventuresome roles as Woody goes missing and Buzz has to return the favor of saving him. Writers Stanton, Hsiao, Chamberlin and Webb have made an inspired choice for their plotting -- drawing on the toy collectors craze that has swept the nation. Little does Woody know that he is the star of "Woody's Round-Up Gang", a group of toys made popular by a 1950's TV puppet show. Evil Al of Al's Toy Barn will do anything to get Woody, the final addition to his collection of Round-Up Gang, which includes feisty cowgirl Jesse, Prospector Stinky Pete and Woody's horse Bulls-Eye. And anything means kidnapping Woody.

With poor Woody in thrall to Al, who intends to sell his collection to a Japanese museum, there's only one thing Buzz can do. With Piggy Bank, Mr. Potato Head, Slinky Dog and Dinosaur in tow, he sets off for the big city -- braving the big, bad world -- to save his buddy. Meanwhile, Woody is having problems of his own. He wants to go home, but the Japanese museum only wants the whole Round up gang. Without Woody, Pete, Bulls-Eye and Jesse will be put back in storage and Jesse is petrified of being locked away again. (Imagine, a toy with claustrophobia.) Besides, as Jesse so eloquently explains to Woody in Randy Newman's touching song, kids grow up and leave their toys behind. If Woody comes to Japan, he'll be adored forever. If he goes home, he'll be tossed under the bed as Andy grows up. What's a toy to do? Well, you have to see the movie for that, and believe me, there are more than a few surprises along the way to Woody's epiphany.

Director Lasseter and his inspired writers prove without a doubt that you don't need "real" people to move an audience. What you need is a lot of heart and a solid dose of insight into human nature -- not to mention the gifted voice talents of Tom Hanks, Tim Allen and, new to this film, Joan Cusack. Dazzling computer skills don't hurt either; some of the images in this film are so life-like that they're absolutely jaw-dropping.

Not only does Toy Story 2 bring adults back to childhood, but it gives kids the sort of enchantment that is so often missing in today's technological world. And, maybe on a more basic level, it reminds us that toys are simply meant to be loved, not collected, traded and entombed in glass cases. Most of all, it made me want to dig up every toy I ever gave away and give it a big hug. Thank you, Disney and Pixar, for reminding me that movies can indeed be perfect.