Even though it's not quite as good as the original, "ToyStory 2" is one of the best animated features to grace the screen ever. And in a year like 1999, that's saying something. Almost every distributor around now is releasing and producing animated product. "The Iron Giant," "Pokemon"and "Princess Mononoke" are just a few of the "cartoons" that graced the silver screen this year which were distributed by a company other than Disney. And there will be almost 2 or 3 times this amount due in 2000. "Titan A.E.," "Pokemon 2," and a plethora of other animated films will be unleashed on the populace in the new millennium.

But enough of that industry B.S. "Toy Story 2" is clever, funny, interesting, compelling and breaks a bit of new ground to boot. It also "steals" from the past pretty well too.

On the plus side is a wonderful new song by Randy Newman that highlight's a toy's feelings towards their owner. But, of course, the underlying theme reflects a ideal of love between females that is touching and unparalleled in films, let alone animated films. The song, "When She Loved Me," is sung from a doll's perspective towards a little girl. And seen in that context, as children will see it, it is a sweet, poignant and wonderful song. There were audible sniffles from children behind me after the song played mid film. But for us adults, Disney, as seems their wont in the 90's, offers up an unashamed and marvelous song about same sex love. Oh, I know, that's pushing it. But it is a song where one female sings about the love of another female. And it reminds us, as adults, that love between two people, two females, two males, a male and female, a mother and child, playmates... any love between two people is a valid and wonderful thing. It glorifies love. All love. How wonderful! I hope the self-proclaimed Religious Right are choking on their popcorn during this. (That's wishful thinking. They've abandoned Disney long ago).

The film also points out the ridiculous nature that toy collecting has taken on in the 90's. It reminds us that toys aren't for "saving" or "displaying;" They're made to be played with. What a marvellous idea for kids and adults in this "Pokemon" obsessed season of gluttony. It's about time someone brought it up. "Toy Story 2" introduces these idea sin a story that revolves around a collector, who also owns a toy store, voiced by Wayne Knight. He wants the Woody doll to complete his collection of a whole series of toys that revolve around the character. Woody discovers his past in the film with a look at 50's "puppet" TV programs and "cowboy" themed show of that era in which he starred. It's just great stuff. The kind of thing I know my Mom would love. And it makes a pointed remark about the simplicity of the past.and the beauty of that simplicity.

The only problem with the film, really, other than a bit of fighting between some of the characters that seems a bit jarring for Disney, is that the antagonist is a "fat guy". Sure, Wayne Knight voices the character, but does he have to be a "fat guy?" And does he have to be shown as a nasty fat guy with corn curl cheese all over him at one point? It's kinda mean spirited.

Regardless, it's a great film. As much a classic as the original. And the animation is even better. When Woody climbs up on the sleeping Al (Knight) and we see him close up, he almost looks human. I'm telling you, it won't be long until we get more complex computer animated features which will bring us virtual characters that will be practically indistinguishable from their live action counterparts.

The best part of the film, and a reason to go back if you only saw it on the first few weeks of release, is an added outtakes reel during the closing credits that Disney put on the fifth reel over the Christmas holiday. It's the funniest part of the film. Nodding to Pixar's own "A Bug's Life," the outtakes are "faked" moments that are created for the film. It's simply wonderful stuff. Estelle Harris (Mrs. Costanzaon "Seinfeld) has the funniest moments here as Mrs. Potato Head. Her lines are hilarious!

Take your kids to see "Toy Story 2." Take your friends. Take everyone you know. But see it. See it twice. It's a classic.

Notes:

The film spoof "Star Wars" briefly.

Characters from "A Bug's Life" have a cameo. Barbie is used in the film as well.

Other voices include Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack,Kelsey Grammer, Don Rickles, Jim Varney, Wallace Shawn, JohnRatzenberger, Annie Potts, Laurie Metcalf, and R. Lee Ermey.

Randy Newman's song "You Got a Friend in Me" from the original is repeated (in new versions) in the sequel.

Directed by Ash Brannon, Lee Unkrich and John Lassiter.

The film dynasty will have a TV series evolve from it 2000called "The Adventures of Buzz Lightyear." Patrick Warburton(Putty on "Seinfeld") will voice Buzz.

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