Toy Story 2) on DVD

Disney Pixar DVD Three-Pack
Toy Story/A Bug's Life/Toy Story 2
Actor: Disney 3pak
Director: *
Genres: Action & Adventure, Comedy, Kids & Family, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Animation

G 2001 4hr 31min

Toy Story — There is greatness in film that can be discussed, dissected, and talked about late into the night. Then there is genius that is right in front of our faces-- we smile at the spell it puts us under and are refre... more »shed, and nary a word needs to be spoken. This kind of entertainment is what they used to call "movie magic," and there is loads of it in this irresistible computer-animation feature. Just a picture of these bright toys on the cover of Toy Story looks intriguing, reawakening the kid in us. Filmmaker John Lasseter's shorts (namely Knickknack and Tin Toy) illustrate not only a technical brilliance but also a great sense of humor--one in which the pun is always intended. Lasseter thinks of himself as a storyteller first and an animator second, much like another film innovator, Walt Disney. Lasseter's story is universal and magical: what do toys do when they're not played with? Cowboy Woody (voiced by Tom Hanks), Andy's favorite bedroom toy, tries to calm the other toys (some original, some classic) during a wrenching time of year--the birthday party, when newer toys may replace them. Sure enough, Space Ranger Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) is the new toy that takes over the throne. Buzz has a crucial flaw, though--he believes he's the real Buzz Lightyear, not a toy. Bright and cheerful, Toy Story is much more than a 90-minute commercial for the inevitable bonanza of Woody and Buzz toys. Lasseter further scores with perfect voice casting, including Don Rickles as Mr. Potato Head and Wallace Shawn as a meek dinosaur. The director-animator won a special Oscar® for "the development and inspired application of techniques that have made possible the first feature-length computer-animated film." In other words, the movie is great.

A Bug's Life

There was such a magic on the screen in 1995 when the people at Pixar came up with the first fully computer-animated film, Toy Story. Their second feature film, A Bug's Life, may miss the bull's-eye, but Pixar's target is so lofty, it's hard to find the film anything less than irresistible. Brighter and more colorful than the other animated insect movie of 1998 (Antz), A Bug's Life is the sweetly told story of Flik (voiced by David Foley), an ant searching for better ways to be a bug. His colony unfortunately revolves around feeding and fearing the local grasshoppers (lead by Hopper, voiced with gleeful menace by Kevin Spacey). When Flik accidentally destroys the seasonal food supply for the grasshoppers, he decides to look for help ("We need bigger bugs!"). The ants, led by Princess Atta (Julia Louis- Dreyfus), are eager to dispose of the troublesome Flik. Yet he finds help--a hearty bunch of bug warriors--and brings them back to the colony. Unfortunately they are just traveling performers afraid of conflict. As with Toy Story, the ensemble of creatures and voices is remarkable and often inspired. Highlights include wiseacre comedian Denis Leary as an un-ladylike ladybug, Joe Ranft as the German-accented caterpillar, David Hyde Pierce as a stick bug, and Michael McShane as a pair of unintelligible pillbugs. The scene-stealer is Atta's squeaky-voiced sister, baby Dot (Hayden Panettiere), who has a big sweet spot for Flik. More gentle and kid-friendly than Antz, A Bug's Life still has some good suspense and a wonderful demise of the villain. However, the film--a giant worldwide hit--will be remembered for its most creative touch: "outtakes" over the end credits à la many live-action comedy films. These dozen or so scenes (both "editions" of outtakes are contained here) are brilliant and deserve a special place in film history right along with 1998's other most talked-about sequence: the opening Normandy invasion in Saving Private Ryan.

Toy Story 2

John Lasseter and his gang of high-tech creators at Pixar conjure up another entertainment for all ages. Like the few great movie sequels, Toy Story 2 comments on why the first one was so wonderful while finding a fresh angle worthy of a new film. The craze of toy collecting becomes the focus here, as we find out Woody (voiced by Tom Hanks) is not only a beloved toy to Andy but also a rare doll from a popular '60s children's show. When a greedy collector takes Woody, Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) launches a rescue mission with Andy's other toys. To say more would be a crime because this is one of the most creative and smile-inducing films since, well, the first Toy Story. Although the toys look the same as in the 1995 feature, Pixar shows how much technology has advanced: the human characters look more human, backgrounds are superior, and two action sequences that book-end the film are dazzling. And it's a hoot for kids and adults. The film is packed with spoofs, easily accessible in-jokes, and inspired voice casting (with newcomer Joan Cusack especially a delight as Cowgirl Jessie). But, as the Pixar canon of films illustrates, the filmmakers are storytellers first. Woody's heart-tugging predicament can easily be translated into the eternal debate of living a good life versus living forever. Toy Story 2 also achieved something in the U.S. that two other outstanding 1999 animated features (The Iron Giant, Princess Mononoke) could not: it became a huge box-office hit. --Doug Thomas

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Movie Details

Actor: Disney 3pak
Director: *
Genres: Action & Adventure, Comedy, Kids & Family, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Animation
Sub-Genres: Action & Adventure, Animation, Animation, Fantasy, Animation, Animation
Studio: Disney/Pixar
Format: DVD - Color - Animated,Closed-captioned
DVD Release Date: 10/30/2001
Original Release Date: 11/25/1998
Theatrical Release Date: 11/25/1998
Release Year: 2001
Run Time: 4hr 31min
Screens: Color
Number of Discs: 3
SwapaDVD Credits: 3
Total Copies: 0
Members Wishing: 21
Edition: Box set
MPAA Rating: G (General Audience)
Languages: English

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Member Movie Reviews

K. K. (GAMER)
Reviewed on 8/25/2019...

Toy Story - A Pixar Masterpiece with character voices from your favorite actors! A must for everyone!

Toy Story 2 - The Toy Story fun you saw in the first one but not quite as good. A must for Toy Story Fans though!

A Bug's Life - Fun movie but not great!

Movie Reviews

Nice gift-pack but not the best available

audrey | 10/31/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The DVDs in this 3-pack are just the regular ones which have been available separately. Although they are excellent by themselves, if you are fans of the three movies, you would appreciate the fully loaded Ultimate Toy Box and A Bug's Life Collector's Edition DVDs. Notice that A Bug's Life DVD in this pack is in letterboxed widescreen. The Collector's Edition features anamorphic widescreen."

Few bells and whistles, but a great value!

audrey | white mtns | 10/12/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I was a little bit skeptical about this great buy, but it's true. You get three great Pixar movies in DVD format for a great price. On each disc you can choose widescreen or fullscreen viewing, you can get English captions, there are sneak peeks and outtakes, and each has an extra cartoon: Toy Story carries the entertaining short "Tin Toy" (with a remarkably horrid looking infant); Toy Story 2 contains a Luxo, Jr. cartoon; and A Bug's Life has "Geri's Game".As another reviewer has stated, if it is the special features you crave then this is not the collection for you; however, if you just want to watch the films and don't care about the extras, this is a remarkable value."

Warning for DVD Buffs!

mdevoe21 | Los Angeles | 10/29/2001

(3 out of 5 stars)

"This is a great set to buy if you have kids who don't care about special features. This set presents just the movie with a few extra bells and whistles. However, if you're a huge fan of these films, as I am, there's better versions packed with special features. Toy Story & Toy Story 2 can be found together with each disk filled to the brim of special features along with an additional disk of special features. This is called the Toy Story Toy Box. Bug's life has another version other then the Gold version presented in this box set. It's a collector's 2 disk edition, also packed with special features (returning in August 2003). These are the definitive versions of these movies. Don't buy this box set if you're looking for more. If you have kids, it's fine ..."