Toy Story & Toy Story 2 Double-Bill

Toy Story & Toy Story 2 Double-Bill

http://disney.go.com/toystory/

Release Date: October 2nd, 2009

Rated G

Running time: 183 minutes

John Lasseter (dir.) (TS & TS 2)

Ash Brannon (co-director) (TS 2)

Lee Unkrich (co-director) (TS 2)

John Lasseter (story) (TS & TS 2)

Pete Docter (story) (TS & TS 2)

Andrew Stanton (story) (TS & TS 2)

Joe Ranft (story) (TS & TS 2)

Ash Brannon (story) (TS 2)

Joss Whedon (screenplay) (TS)

Joel Cohen (screenplay) (TS)

Alec Sokolow (screenplay) (TS)

Andrew Stanton (screenplay) (TS & TS 2)

Rita Hsiao (screenplay) (TS 2)

Doug Chamberlin (screenplay) (TS 2)

Chris Webb (screenplay) (TS 2)

Randy Newman (music)

Tom Hanks as Woody Pride

Tim Allen as Buzz Lightyear

Don Rickles as Mr. Potato Head

Jim Varney as Slinkey Dog

Annie Potts as Bo Peep

John Morris as Andy

Laurie Metcalf Andy’s Mom

Joan Cusack as Jessie the Yodeling Cowgirl (TS 2)

Kelsey Grammer as Stinky Pete the Prospector (TS 2)

Estelle Harris as Mrs. Potato Head

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"TOY STORY 1 & 2" (L-R) Aliens, Hamm, Mr. Potato Head, Bo Peep, Mrs. Potato Head, Rex, Buzz Lightyear, Woody, Wheezy, Bullseye, Slinky Dog, Jessie, The Prospector ©Disney/Pixar. All Rights Reserved.

Our reviews below:

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Toy Story & Toy Story 2 Double-Bill Review By John C.

**** (out of 4)

Both Toy Story films have been converted into 3D and have a limited two-week run in theatres. The question everyone is sure to be asking is “is it worth going out to a theatre to see two films that are already sitting on my DVD and/or video shelf?”. The answer is a resounding yes.

The 3D is amazing, I only noticed one incredibly brief moment of ghosting in TS, I didn’t notice any in TS2. While it isn’t really meant to make things stick out at the audience, it gives an incredible sense of depth.

My only complaint about the Double-Bill is that the 10-minute intermission is filled with Toy Story treats & trivia. Die-hard Pixar fans, like me, aren’t going to want to leave. Which means they don’t get a proper break between the two films to run to the bathroom or concession stand.

I saw the Double-Bill with a big audience of kids and adults, and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. At the screening there were also three guys dressed up as the green army men. They wore full green army outfits, complete with green face paint. Before the movie, they also handed out t-shirts.

Both films are sure to be adored by a new generation, but here’s hoping they are re-discovered by adults. I hope this picks up the audience it deserves. Yes it means over 3 hours in a theatre, but over 3 hours in a theatre watching Toy Story, is 3 hours well spent.

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Toy Story & Toy Story 2 Double-Bill Review By Erin V.

**** (out of 4) (For both films)

I had never seen the Toy Story movies in theatres initially, so it was a treat to be able to see them on the big screen regardless of whether they were in 3D or not. This being said, the 3D is some of the best I 've seen. The scenes that countless individuals have loved for almost 14 years, can now be seen in the best possible way. This is how these movies were meant to be seen. They were made in a 3D computer space, and the angles used tried desperately to emulate that, quite often succeeding. Unlike some 3D movies nowadays, which are made for 3D, adding this does not take you out of the movie watching experience. There is nothing stretching out at you, or flinging purposely at the screen, because there was no technology for that to make sense in '95, (or '99 for that matter). This is how the medium should be utilized. For depth of field, height, etc. 3D can be used to open up a scene, so that it feels huge, or, as we are shown here it also has the ability to tighten things in where appropriate. Just like any other type of camera work, 3D is just an extra tool which can be used to enhance a good story.

I don't suppose I really have to go into much detail about Toy Story & Toy Story 2 themselves. You probably already know the story, and if not, what are you waiting for? Go see them, now! In short, as the filmmakers behind these groundbreaking films had said initially when the first Toy Story came out, they wanted to tell a story that would stand up, 10-15 years later and beyond - into infinity - long after the technology/animation was outdated. I'm sure anyone seeing these wonderful films again will have no doubts that they succeeded.

Toy Story is just as good as always, although, seeing them side by side, you can see that they really worked hard to deliver a second film that would stand up, and possibly even be a bit better than the first one. Clearly, coming out four years after the first film, Toy Story 2 seems more polished. Also, the story moves along at a slightly quicker pace, I found. The gas station scene in the first film, and the airport scene in the second one are great in 3D, although, the best time for the 3D was definitely in the second film, at the opening, in space. The stars are so cool to see in 3D.

Now, about the intermission... There is a 10 minute intermission, with a little clock in the left hand corner of the screen to count it down, so that you can take a break if needed. Unfortunately, for me, I didn't leave during it, since there is a 10 minute 'mid-show' where the characters give trivia, and little random animated segments play on screen. I am glad that I stayed, since it was really fun, but it means over 3 hours in the theatre with no break, so it depends if you can handle that. Here's what I suggest if you can't though. If you really want to see the intermission, go out during the credits of the first film. Unfortunately, you'll miss hearing some of Randy Newman's music, but you won't miss what you haven't seen before, nor the spectacular space opening of the second film.

We also get a full Toy Story 3 trailer with this release. It is interesting to see after so many years, and it was great to see Buzz in Spanish...

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Toy Story & Toy Story 2 Double-Bill Review By Nicole

**** (out of 4)

It is so much fun to see both the Toy Story movies again. No matter how many times I have seen them, they have never gotten tiring, but are so fresh and exciting as the first time I saw them. Watching the film again, as an adult, is fun in a whole new way. There are so many jokes that only adults will get, but enough jokes and action that kids will enjoy as well. The 3D worked really well. It was not overpowering, but added a sense of depth.

There is a ten minute intermission during the two films. Unfortunately, I missed most of it, but from what I did see, the intermission seemed really good. There was trivia treats, and early concept art, all narrated by the characters. Fans will not want to miss this. (If you must take a break, do it during the credits of Toy Story 1.)

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Toy Story & Toy Story 2 Double-Bill Review By Maureen

**** (out of 4)

Seeing Toy Story and Toy Story 2 in theaters after all these years is like meeting up with an old friend you haven't seen in ages. It's fun, familiar, and so comforting to know that they are as wonderful as you remembered them all those years ago. In this case, they are better than ever.

Toy Story and Toy Story 2 playing as a double-bill in 3D works amazingly well. The 3D only enhances what are already two of Pixar's best animated favorites. The only problem with the double-bill is that any Pixar fan will be torn between staying to watch the trivia filled 10 minute intermission featurette and taking a bathroom or snack break. Tough choice.

If you are a Toy Story or Toy Story 2 fan treat yourself to seeing this theatre re-release in 3D. Remember this is only a 2 week run from October 2nd to 15th. Go back and visit some old friends. Woody, Buzz and the rest of the gang are waiting for you.

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Toy Story & Toy Story 2 Double-Bill Review By Tony

**** (out of 4)

With Toy Story 3 about to be released, Toy Story 1 & 2 are now showing in a limited run in new 3D versions as a double bill. Despite repeated viewings and improvements in computer animation over the almost 15 years since Toy Story 1, they both hold up well, thanks to the excellent writing and production that we have always enjoyed from Pixar. The 3D versions add subtle depth without any of the drawbacks of previous 3D efforts, probably due to the fact that all the images were computer generated in the first place and could be enhanced by clever programming.

We finally get a proper trailer for Toy Story 3 preceding the features, allaying our concerns about how it might follow the first two films. In between there is a 10 minute intermission, but real fans will have to be prepared to stick around for the goodies on the screen, which have been included as Easter eggs on the DVDs.

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"TOY STORY" (L-R) Buzz Lightyear, Woody ©Disney/Pixar. All Rights Reserved.

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Consensus: The Toy Story and Toy Story 2 double bill in 3D is one of the events of the year. You definitely don't want to miss this limited engagement. Spectacularly re-rendered in 3D, these are two films that have stood the ultimate test of time - and won. **** (Out of 4)

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"TOY STORY 2" (L-R) Mr. Potato Head, Hamm, Rex, Buzz Lightyear, Slinky Dog ©Disney/Pixar. All Rights Reserved.