...one of the few sequels in the history of cinema that is an unqualified improvement over its predecessor in every way.
Audio:
The new edition of "Toy Story 2" has English soundtracks in Dolby Digital 5.1 EX, DTS 5.1, and Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo (with French and Spanish in 2.0). In DD 5.1 EX the audio remains every bit as spectacular as the video. Both the picture and the sound are THX certified, and the results are as impressive as ever. The sonics continue to be as full, wide, dynamic, and deep as ever, with objects flying overhead and around through all five channels. But one can appreciate the little things, too, like voices that move across the sound stage as needed, rather than remaining stationary in the center speaker. Let it suffice to say that the picture and the sound are state-of-the-art.
Extras:
Disc one contains the feature film presentation in English, French, and Spanish, with French subtitles and English captions for the hearing impaired. It is accompanied by the same audio commentary as on the prior edition, with director John Lasseter and his creative team, including Lee Unkrich, Ash Brannon and Andrew Stanton. In addition, there are Sneak Peeks at seven other releases, the highlight being Pixar's animated feature "Cars"; a brief introduction to "Toy Story 2" by director John Lasseter; an index of contents for both discs; thirty-five scene selections; and a THX Optimizer set of audiovisual calibration tests.
Disc two, of course, is where you'll find the bulk of the extras, arranged in a series of categories. But I'm not sure I wouldn't rather have had one long documentary than 800 separate buttons to push. The first section is the "Toy Box," which contains five minutes of cute outtakes; a "Who's the Coolest Toy?" discussion among the actors and filmmakers, lasting three minutes; a "Which Toy Are You?" game, a quiz you work with the remote; a "Ponkickies" game with Woody, Buzz and Jessie, based on a popular Japanese TV show; a "Riders in the Sky Music Medley," three minutes; a picture gallery; a short documentary, "Making Toy Story 2"; and about four minutes of deleted scenes. After that is a "Behind-the-Scenes" section with a "John Lasseter Profile"; "Toy Story 2's Cast of Characters," a design gallery slide show containing looks at characters, sets, and colors; and segments on early storyboard versions of "Woody's Nightmare" and "Jessie's Song," the latter with a multi-angle feature.
The "Production" category includes "Designing Woody's Past," about three minutes; "Making Woody's Roundup," two minutes; a production tour, two minutes; a production progression bit, three minutes; some early animation tests totalling another three minutes; some special effects at about a minute and a half; and an international scene, about two minutes. Lastly, there is the "Music and Sound" section, with "Making the Songs," "Woody's Round Music Video," "Jessie's Song," and "Designing the Sound"; plus the "Publicity" section, containing, movie trailers, TV spots, posters, and clever character interviews.
Disc two contains subtitles in English, French, and Spanish; and both discs come housed in a slim-line keep case, further enclosed in an attractively embossed, metallic-faced, cardboard slipcover.
Parting Thoughts:
Disney's "Toy Story 2" is a must-buy for anyone with a family of little ones or for anyone who is even remotely interested in the art of modern computer-generated moviemaking. If you think the price of the two new editions of the "Toy Story" movies seems a little steep, I strongly urge you to consider "Toy Story 2" alone. It's a great animated feature and deserves to stand proudly beside the great Disney classics of the past, like "Snow White," "Pinocchio," and "Fantasia." It's that good.
The new edition of "Toy Story 2" has English soundtracks in Dolby Digital 5.1 EX, DTS 5.1, and Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo (with French and Spanish in 2.0). In DD 5.1 EX the audio remains every bit as spectacular as the video. Both the picture and the sound are THX certified, and the results are as impressive as ever. The sonics continue to be as full, wide, dynamic, and deep as ever, with objects flying overhead and around through all five channels. But one can appreciate the little things, too, like voices that move across the sound stage as needed, rather than remaining stationary in the center speaker. Let it suffice to say that the picture and the sound are state-of-the-art.
Extras:
Disc one contains the feature film presentation in English, French, and Spanish, with French subtitles and English captions for the hearing impaired. It is accompanied by the same audio commentary as on the prior edition, with director John Lasseter and his creative team, including Lee Unkrich, Ash Brannon and Andrew Stanton. In addition, there are Sneak Peeks at seven other releases, the highlight being Pixar's animated feature "Cars"; a brief introduction to "Toy Story 2" by director John Lasseter; an index of contents for both discs; thirty-five scene selections; and a THX Optimizer set of audiovisual calibration tests.
Disc two, of course, is where you'll find the bulk of the extras, arranged in a series of categories. But I'm not sure I wouldn't rather have had one long documentary than 800 separate buttons to push. The first section is the "Toy Box," which contains five minutes of cute outtakes; a "Who's the Coolest Toy?" discussion among the actors and filmmakers, lasting three minutes; a "Which Toy Are You?" game, a quiz you work with the remote; a "Ponkickies" game with Woody, Buzz and Jessie, based on a popular Japanese TV show; a "Riders in the Sky Music Medley," three minutes; a picture gallery; a short documentary, "Making Toy Story 2"; and about four minutes of deleted scenes. After that is a "Behind-the-Scenes" section with a "John Lasseter Profile"; "Toy Story 2's Cast of Characters," a design gallery slide show containing looks at characters, sets, and colors; and segments on early storyboard versions of "Woody's Nightmare" and "Jessie's Song," the latter with a multi-angle feature.
The "Production" category includes "Designing Woody's Past," about three minutes; "Making Woody's Roundup," two minutes; a production tour, two minutes; a production progression bit, three minutes; some early animation tests totalling another three minutes; some special effects at about a minute and a half; and an international scene, about two minutes. Lastly, there is the "Music and Sound" section, with "Making the Songs," "Woody's Round Music Video," "Jessie's Song," and "Designing the Sound"; plus the "Publicity" section, containing, movie trailers, TV spots, posters, and clever character interviews.
Disc two contains subtitles in English, French, and Spanish; and both discs come housed in a slim-line keep case, further enclosed in an attractively embossed, metallic-faced, cardboard slipcover.
Parting Thoughts:
Disney's "Toy Story 2" is a must-buy for anyone with a family of little ones or for anyone who is even remotely interested in the art of modern computer-generated moviemaking. If you think the price of the two new editions of the "Toy Story" movies seems a little steep, I strongly urge you to consider "Toy Story 2" alone. It's a great animated feature and deserves to stand proudly beside the great Disney classics of the past, like "Snow White," "Pinocchio," and "Fantasia." It's that good.
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[release]17105[/release]