Toy Story 2

"Toy Story 2" is a prime example of a movie that isn't supposed to work.

First of all, it's a sequel, and with the exceptions of the "Star Wars" films (excluding the first prequel) and the second "Godfather" movie, we all know how sequels usually turn out.

Then there's the fact that it was conceived originally as a direct-to-video movie, which usually implies that the material wasn't deemed worthy of making it to the big screen.

If that wasn't bad enough, the film also features a script that was written by committee — the screenplay is credited to four writers, and 11 others contributed "story material" to it — which is almost always a sure sign of a real dud.

Yet somehow this charming, funny and even touching cartoon comedy/adventure works. And in some very important ways, it's (gasp!) better than the 1995 hit that spawned it.

Impossible, you say? Well, don't pass judgment on the movie too soon. "Toy Story 2" features a series of even bigger and better gags and incredible 3-D animation that's light-years beyond that in the original — as well as a story that everyone in the family can enjoy.

In fact, the film ranks among the best that the Disney studio has ever released and indicates that, should Pixar Animation Studios ever break away from Disney, they could give them a real run for their money in the family film market.

Of course, part of the credit also needs to go to its very talented voice cast, which includes Tom Hanks and Tim Allen, reprising their roles as cowboy action figure Woody and Space Ranger toy Buzz Lightyear, respectively.

Though the two were competing at first for the attentions of their human "owner," Andy, the two have mended their differences and have even becomes close friends. In fact, Buzz hasn't forgotten the fact that Woody rescued him in his time of need (in the first film).

He gets his chance to repay that debt when Woody is stolen by Al (Wayne Knight), a greedy toy shop owner who plans to sell him to a Japanese museum. As it turns out, Woody is a rare doll from the "Woody's Round-up" line, which was based on a once-popular children's television program.

So, Buzz and some of Andy's other toys go out in search of their friend. But it's a dangerous trek across town, fraught with traffic and other perils. If that wasn't bad enough, Buzz also has to contend with another Buzz Lightyear figure who believes he's the one, true Buzz.

Meanwhile, Woody isn't just sitting around idle. He's trying to escape Al's den but keeps getting sidetracked by the other cowboy toys in Al's collection — including Jessie (Joan Cusack), with a trouble past and a broken heart.

All this poses a dilemma for Woody: If he escapes, the others become "worthless" and will go back into boxes. Besides, in the museum he'll be admired by many children for years, instead of living under the threat of being outgrown by Andy.

Will Buzz and the others find Woody in time? Will Woody abandon Jessie and turn down his shot at toy "immortality"? It's rousing stuff, and a trio of directors (including computer animation pioneer John Lasseter) keeps the action moving at a nearly breathless pace.

And the script is so loaded with observant humor so funny that it offers something for everyone. Children will enjoy the inventive sight gags, while the pop-culture parodies (including those of "Jurassic Park" and the "Star Wars" movies) will delight savvy adults.

Again, though, that's not to slight the actors involved. Hanks, in particular, brings Woody's plight home with a very "human" performance, while Allen again manages to send up his macho image here and Cusack nearly steals the show from under them.

The film also makes effective use of music, including another terrific Randy Newman score and a couple of different reprises of "You've Got a Friend in Me." And the film's one original song, sung by Sarah McLachlan, provides the film's most touching moment.

"Toy Story 2" is rated G, though it does contain some animated violence (mostly slapstick in nature) and some mildly vulgar humor (including a suggestive sight gag).