[slade]

Thanks to my kids I've seen both of these movies countless times. Unlike some of their other movies, these two never tire me--here's why I think that is.

Fun to look at

Both movies are just beatifully done. The art work is really good and the images are very sharp. The attention to detail is also astounding. There are scuffs on the doors, scratches on the dressor drawers, and every space of every frame is filled with interesting material that creates a more realistic looking set than nearly any I've ever seen--quite a feat for animation.

Fun to listen to

This is more true of the sequel than the original. I frequently use the first 5 minutes of Toy Story 2 for demo material--both for the audio and the visual. Toy Story 2 took the attention to detail the first one had on the visuals, replicated it and added to it with the audio. There are tons of discrete ambient sounds throughout the movie that are put into all 5 speakers. The LFE is very decent as well.

Interesting idea with tight story telling

What a great, yet simple, idea. Toys that come to life when people aren't around. And, a nice explanation for all those lost toys--

"Look Mom! It's Woody and Buzz!"

"Oh, that's great. What did I tell you, right here in the car where you left them."

The story's are simple, yet interesting. They are tightly told and the jokes are continuously funny. I like the subtelty of a lot of the humor as well--for example, the "hubba, hubba" on the speak-and-spell when Mr. Potato Head discovers that a Mrs. Potato Head was a Christmas Gift. I also appreciated the additional jokes from John Ratzenberger in Toy Story 2 that fit in with his character of Cliff from Cheers. Again, they were subtle, so that it wouldn't be obvious to someone not familiar with Cheers (i.e. the kids) but there, and so adds a grin of familirity to those who are familiar with Cheers (i.e. the parents).

Other subtleties

I like other subtelties as well--which seem to be a bit of a Pixar trademark. For example, at the start of Toy Story 2 the calendar on the wall has a picture from Bugs Life on it. And, there are also many nuances within the story themselves that are well done.

the downsides

There is a point in both movies where the melodrama gets to be a bit too think for my tastes. In Toy Story it is when Buzz finally is coming to grips with not being a toy and there is a song in the background. blech.

In Toy Story 2 it is when Jessie is telling her story about losing her owner's attention and ultimately being given away. Again, the song in the background. Again, blech.

I also am a little put-off by the over-the-top moralizing in these movies.

All in all, however, I really enjoy both movies tremendously, even after many, many, many viewings.