Movie Night: Toy Story 2.

Review #441: Toy Story 2.

Cast

Tom Hanks (Woody), Tim Allen (Buzz Lightyear), Kelsey Grammer (Stinky Pete), Joan Cusack (Jessie), Don Rickles (Mr. Potato Head), Jim Varney (Slinky Dog), Wallace Shawn (Rex), John Ratzenberger (Hamm), Annie Potts (Bo Peep), Estelle Harris (Mrs. Potato Head), Wayne Knight (Al McWhiggin), John Morris (Andy), and Laurie Metcalf (Ms. Davis) Directed by John Lasseter (#440 - Toy Story), Lee Unkrich, and Ash Brannon.

Review

Ever have a film sequel that actually might be better than the original? (yes, you could answer Empire Strikes Back, or Spider-Man 2, or Star Trek II: Wrath of Khan, but let's not get too off topic) Toy Story 2 manages to evoke that question, and it could be argued that it is better. This might feel tired, or stale (or both) coming from me, but the Toy Story trilogy could arguably the best film trilogy ever made (I...will probably take that back at some point, but yeah. That and the ambiguities of their being a potential fourth Toy Story), but oh well. Hanks and Allen again do a good job, but Grammer is a fine villain, and it is nice to watch Newman-I mean Wayne Knight in this film. The animation doesn't change too much, consistent, but very well done. There's not a whole lot to say about the film either because I'm sure everybody in the world has at least said something of the film, or because continuously giving praise over and over to different but similar subjects gets repetitive after a while. The film is good nonetheless, and Pixar once again did a fine job. Not bad for a film that originally was going to be a direct to video sequel (Gee, doesn't that sound similar *cough* Planes), isn't it? Countdown to 450 Reviews: 10, 9...

Overall, I give it 10 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Toy Story.

Review #440: Toy Story.

Cast
Tom Hanks (Woody), Tim Allen (Buzz Lightyear), Don Rickles (Mr. Potato Head), Jim Varney (Slinky Dog), Erik von Detten (Sid Phillips), Wallace Shawn (Rex), John Morris (Andy Davis), John Ratzenberger (Hamm), Annie Potts (Bo Peep), Laurie Metcalf (Ms. Davis), R. Lee Ermey (Sarge), Sarah Freeman (Hannah Phillips), and Joe Ranft (Lenny) Directed by John Lasseter.

Review
Trying to ask what would be the rating for this film is pointless as this is a really good film, with a lot of heart and with a lot of good animation. As I said in my review of Toy Story 3 (#382. Gee I really messed up the chronology, didn't I. At least I reviewed this first instead of the second film), Hanks and Allen pair off each other really well (fun fact: Billy Crystal was offered the role of Buzz Lightyear, but turned it down), and the scene where Woody tells Buzz he is a toy makes me laugh a lot. But the film has its moments of drama and adventure, and it doesn't feel manufactured or phoned in. The film was written by a variety of writers, and I'd make a joke about Josh Whedon, but I've honestly never even watched any of his shows, so there's no purpose, but the writing is good though. This was the first computer animated film and Pixar's first film, and it is a monumental success, especially with the story, the acting, and the animation. Truly excellent. Countdown to 450 Reviews: 10...

Overall, I give it 10 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Ernest Saves Christmas.

Review #311: Ernest Saves Christmas.

Cast
Jim Varney (Ernest P. Worrel), Douglas Seale (Santa Claus), Oliver Clark (Joe Carruthers), Noelle Parker (Pamela Trenton), Gailard Sartain (Chuck), Bill Byrge (Bobby), and Billie Bird (Mary Morrissey) Directed by John R. Cherry III.

Review
Sometimes, I just find films while searching them. Sometimes I hear about them either being reviewed or being mentioned by people about "Christmas favorites". Then there's Ernest. Over 300 reviews here, and Ernest has managed to not pass my so called radar. Others have been reviewed from Santa to Gojira to Big Bird to even Spongebob. From what I can understand, Ernest was essentially a commercial man, and he managed to have 10 films, with this being the fourth released. How is this...being? The title does make some sense, but I would change it slighty to Ernest and the Search for Santa Claus (That or Ernest Nearly Destroys Christmas but Saves It), but nevertheless, this is...a decent Christmas flick. Seale and Clark play off each other well, and even Varney does good as well, even if his character is slightly off (Not every day I get to see a character who pratically uses the camera as a facial expression showcase). It is indeed a weird film, but unlike Santa Claus (#309), it doesn't completely go off the deep end, this stays into near harmlessness with some fun involved. You feel that this was one of those films did for fun, and it actually works here. Call me crazy, but this is one of those Christmas fims where you'll get some enjoyment. Just make sure to take small samples though.

Overall, I give it 7 out of 10 stars.