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Toy Story 2

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 0, age appropriate for kids over 4; suggested age 4.

  • Is it any good?

    5.0
  • Common Sense says

    Stunning, witty, exciting, enchanting, and moving.

Themes in this movie include:   friendship, growing up
updated 09.22.09

Why We Rated This on for Ages 4 and Up

The good stuff

  • Educational value:

    No overtly educational content, but kids will learn about the importance of friendship and honesty.
  • Messages:

    The movie has strong positive themes about loyalty, friendship, and teamwork. Characters learn lessons about themselves and others. Strong message about enjoying life's joys.
  • Role models:

    The toy characters once again go to great lengths to rescue a friend in trouble. The movie's villain is clearly motivated by greed and eventually gets his comeuppance. A supporting character betrays one of the main characters due to his own hurts and suspicion -- but this is clearly shown to be wrong. Feisty Jessie is a welcome addition to the gang.

What to watch out for

  • Violence & scariness:

    Some tense scenes show the main characters in peril. Some slapstick falls; characters fight/grapple (but no one is seriously hurt). One battle scene turns out to be from a video game. In the 3-D version, a couple of scenes can be briefly scary, like when Buzz's nemesis Zurg is featured. Characters' separation from their friends/loved ones could be upsetting to some younger kids.
  • Sexy stuff:

    Very mild flirting between toy characters.
  • Language:

    Mild insults like "idiot" and "shut up."
  • Consumerism:

    Some of the toys are recognizable brands (like Barbie and Mr. Potato Head). A large part of the movie takes place inside a toy store; companies/brands like Playskool and Mattel are mentioned by name -- other toy brands depicted include Operation, Tinker Toys, and Mouse Trap. Lots of tie-in merchandise is available.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.

What Parents Need to Know

This review of Toy Story 2 was written by Nell Minow

Parents need to know that this Toy Story sequel is just as delightful as the first movie (as is the next one in the series, Toy Story 3). The plot again finds the toys banding together to rescue a fellow toy in peril; the fact that characters are separated from their loved ones could scare or upset the youngest viewers. There are also some tense scenes with characters in danger (though no one gets seriously hurt) and a very poignant sequence involving Jessie the Cowgirl. But there's no sex, strong language, drinking, or other iffy content, and kids who watch will take away positive messages about teamwork, friendship, and loyalty. Note: The 3-D version of the movie includes a couple of brief scenes that might spook the youngest viewers, like the evil Zurg trying to blast Buzz, but otherwise the digital effects are played for laughs (or, as the green squeeze-toy aliens would say, "Oooh ... aaah").

Families Can Talk About

Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
  • Families can talk about what the characters learn in this movie. Why does Woody worry about his future? What do Jessie and Pete the Prospector teach him? Are they right?
  • Kids: What's your favorite toy? Why? Would you ever want to save it instead of play with it? Why is collecting stuff for its own sake a hollow pursuit?
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More on Toy Story 2

What’s the Story?

In TOY STORY 2, Woody (again voiced by Tom Hanks) is stolen by devious toy store owner Al (Wayne Knight), who recognizes Woody as a valuable collectable. With Woody to complete his full set of toys from a 1950s TV show, Al can sell the collection to a toy museum in Tokyo. Woody is delighted to discover his origin and value -- and to meet up with Woody's Roundup co-stars Jessie the Yodeling Cowgirl (Joan Cusack), Stinky Pete the Prospector (Kelsey Grammer), and faithful steed Bullseye. They tell Woody that he'll be better off in a museum than waiting for Andy to outgrow him -- and he starts to think they may be right. Meanwhile, Woody's friends organize a rescue mission led by Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) -- a series of hilarious and breathtaking adventures naturally ensues.

Is It Any Good?

Toy Story 2 is stunning, witty, exciting, enchanting, and very moving. Amazingly, it's just as good as the sensationally entertaining original. The animation is better -- the main characters' facial expressions should have qualified the animators for a Best Actor Oscar, and the backgrounds are more authentically lived in. And the script is excellent. It's very, very funny, with sly references to classic films, and it's also insightful and touching, with a sort of Velveteen Rabbit theme about the important role that a well-loved toy plays in the life of a child.

In these days when 8-year-olds can talk knowledgeably about the extra value that a "mint" tag adds to a Beanie Baby auction on Ebay, it's enormously valuable to think about the issue that Woody faces. Should he have a brief but satisfying life as the beloved friend of a child who will eventually grow up and leave him bereft? Or should he remain perfectly preserved and perpetually honored as a museum exhibit? It's a hard choice, but one that gets at the very heart of what growing up really means.

Movie Details

Studio: Pixar Animation Studios, Directors: Ash Brannon, John Lasseter, Lee Unkrich
Run time: 92 minutes
Theatrical release: 10/2/2009, DVD release: 5/11/2010
MPAA Rating: G

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Our Members Say

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. I rate this title on for age 5 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    really good

    I really still like this movie! Somtimes though Jessie"s flashback to emily makes me feel sad.

  2. I rate this title on for age 4 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    I personally think that Toy Story 2 is better than Toy Story. Both are really good. A family movie, please watch it!

  3. I rate this title on for age 4 and give it 5.0

    Perhaps more gentle for children than the first.

    Great movie. Maybe better for kids than the first one. In the first film, you had to help your child understand why Woody was jealous. In this film, you may have to speak to them about how an older toy may have "value" (in terms of $). Great film and nice to reference when reminding your kiddo to treat their toys nicely.

  4. I rate this title on for age 6 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Educational
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    Funnier, wiitier,better,and more charming than the first!

    (Toy Story 2) is a way funnier,witter,more charming& sweeter and surprisingly better than the first. Toy Story 2 delivers more and better great things the first Toy Story didn't.Toy Story 2 is even better than the first Toy Story. I give Toy Story 2 an A++ and ON for ages 6+.

  5. I rate this title on for age 6 and give it 5.0

  6. Parent Reviewer
    Kids ages: 2
    I rate this title on for age 3 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

  7. I rate this title on for age 4 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    this is such a good movie, it is a lot better than the first one, but not as good as the third

  8. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in Nebraska
    Kids ages: 15
    I rate this title on for age 5 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    TOY STORY 2 is amazing. Simply put. It's a sequel that does the impossible: surpass the humor, creativity, and positivity of the classic first installment. This is one of, if not the best, kids movies ever. But, just because it's perfect for kids, doesn't mean that adults won't love it. There's more than enough humor and entertainment to satisfy the most mature adult. Violence might be the only issue in the movie. There is no actual violence short of a toy's arm falling off (but it gets sewn back on again). One toy apparently falls off an elevator to his death, but is safe (and reformed) in the end. Some toys are put in peril, but mostly it's all played for laughs. The movie is one of the most positive Pixar movies out there (and that's a feat). Friendship, loyalty, love, courage, and sacrifice are major elements spoken about frequently in the film. All of the characters, save on greedy human, are great role models. Do yourself a favor, even if you don't have kids (but especially if you do!): Watch it!

  9. I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    Great Family Movie... MUST SEE

    This is a great movie full of great characters, and even Stinky Pete is pretty harmless as far as villians go. This is perfect for all ages.

  10. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in Florida
    Kids ages: 3
    I rate this title on for age 3 and give it 4.0

    appropriate for all ages

    I enjoyed the movie

  11. Parent Reviewer
    Kids ages: 4, 6
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Educational
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    This one is a clasic i think every kid ages 2-3 + has or has to see it is entertaining my kids can get enough and even us adults

    love it

  12. Parent Reviewer
    Kids ages: 4, 6
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Educational
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    This one is a clasic i think every kid ages 2-3 + has or has to see it is entertaining my kids can get enough and even us adults

    love it

  13. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    I rate this title on for age 6 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate language
    • My highlights are:
    • Educational
    • Good role models

    Not better than Toy Story, but a fantastic sequel.

    Toy Story is back, and with a promising sequel! Here we see what Pixar kept to add from Toy Story and more experience from their previous movie, A Bug's Life. This one is much darker than the last one, with dark scenes and messages, but the characters and animation kind of covers that up. During an attempting rescue to save a toy from a yard sale, Woody is stolen by a toy collector. The other toys find out it is the advertising chicken from the Al's Toy Barn commercials (Al), and set out on a journey to rescue him. During the time in Al's appartment, Woody finds out he was a child's senstaion: his own gang, merchandise, tv show. He wanted to escape, until he found out Jessie's story about her owner outgrowing her, soon knowing Andy will soon. Buzz, Mr. Potato Head, Hamm, Slinky, and Rex get to Al's Toy Barn . There, Buzz is kidnapped by a new-belt equipped Buzz and stuffed into his package, tricking the other toys and heading to Al's appartment. While the real Buzz escapes and leaves, he releases Zurg, his arch rival. The real Buzz catches with the other toys in Al's appartment. Though Woody turn's them down, he changed his mind when Buzz told him toys are meant to play with. Woody convinces Bullseye and Jessie to go, but too late when Pete gets out of his box and forces them to stay as Al ships them to Japan. The toys encounter Buzz on the elevator shaft while chasing Al. They reach the airport and go inside the baggage claim area. Pete tries to stop them, but they put him inside a girls bag. Woody saves Jessie from the luggage on the train just in time when the airplane leaves. Ther is still some mild language and some scenes show violence. But, it shows the value of friendship and a nice group of characters.

  14. Parent Reviewer
    Kids ages: 1, 1, 3, 10, 14
    I rate this title on for age 5 and give it 3.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Negative message

    Wow, scary....

    I was quite disappointed by the dark messages in the movie and how intense many of the scenes were. The happy TS scenes were few and far between. Total Bummer. I did like the last few minutes where it was sweet and wonderful.

  15. I rate this title on for age 6 and give it 4.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate language
    • My highlights are:
    • Educational
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    This is a great sequel to the first Toy Story, and I'm glad they are coming out with a third. There is some mild language, and might have been better off as a PG movie instead of G. There are some scary parts, but it is a funny and great movie overall.

  16. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    I rate this title on for age 4 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Excessive consumerism
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    another thing i saw this when i was little just like the frst. it took a very long time for the 3rd 2 com out. it came out when i was 14.

  17. I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Excessive consumerism
    • My highlights are:
    • Educational
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    Joy Story 2

    This might not have been as good as the first one, but it still kicks butt! This sequel deserves to be made another sequel and I'm glad that is tomorrow, and I'm seeing it tomorrow! Don't miss out!

  18. I rate this title iffy for age 6 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    Ages WHAT and Up!?!

    Let me tell you a story. This movie came out when I was four years old. Having watched the first Toy Story, which freaked me out a bit but I liked it anyway, I obviously watched Toy Story 2. It terrified me! To rephrase, it terrified me at the age of FOUR!! And may I note that I've always been tough for my age? I'd seen some pretty hairy movies for a 4-year-old and didn't even - well, maybe I flinched a little bit at those. But I'm just not sure if a G rating is correct. A few years later, I tried the film again and was old enough to like it. When I tried it again, I was OLDER THAN FOUR!! It soon worked its way up to being my favorite movie. Ten years have passed, so I have a new favorite, but I'll always love this movie. In fact, I'm watching it as I type. I'm a big hypocrite, so I'd let a two-year-old watch it... but you shouldn't. Allow me to explain. Near the start of the film, Woody is scared that he'll be thrown away so he dreams that he is thrown away and when he tries to climb out of the trash can, many dismembered toy arms and such grab him in a chokehold and pull him down into the dark pit of dispair that is the garbage bin. I skipped some small details, I'm just trying to give you the summary. It gives me and my parents the creeps even today. I've never seen a zombie movie before but I'm guessing it'd be a little like that. The famous Zurg we've all been hearing about is featured and he looked so creepy it scared me when I was little. I watched this film recently after many years (I lost my old copy) and, for the life of me, couldn't remember what he looked like. I almost laughed when I saw him. I was scared of that guy? Well, it has been a while since I was four. Times change, I guess. Beware, four-year-olds! I still guess you could say this movie is less scary than the original. Oh, yeah, and at the very start of the film, there's a sequence where Buzz Lightyear is fighting evil! Then Buzz gets killed. The top of his body vaporizes as his leg falls to the ground. The words GAME OVER flash on the screen. I can hear small children sighing in relief as we find out it's only someone playing a video game. One of those children being the four-year-old me. Just as in the first Toy Story, toys get mad at each other. A few names are called, nothing most kids can't say (though they still shouldn't), and a few punches are landed but it's either over very quick or very hilarious. Usually very, very hilarious. Mr. Potato Head kisses Mrs. Potato Head on the cheek and, at one point, the arm. Little Bo Peep starts to kiss Woody but, at all of the romantic moments, it's about two seconds before the scene is interrupted by something funny. Ha. Oh, and when the toys are in the toy store, Barbies are having a beach party in one of the aisles. The Swimsuit Barbies (not in bikinis but you can still see their bellies) are given some loving looks by the male toys, particularly Mr. Potato Head. But it's funny and, as I said, over quickly... somewhat. During the credits, a Buzz action figure burps. That was funny. Late in the film, there's a sticker that says "Butte" but since the sticker gets stuck on a toy's posterior, it's a pun. Gee, I think I'm making the movie sound worse than it really is without exaggerating. Weird. I think this is the only sequel in the world that lives up to the original. I think Daddy thinks the first Toy Story was better. Probably because it was scarier. That's my Dad! I only have one problem with this film: my Buzz Lightyear action figure doesn't have karate chop action or flashing lights on the wings. Though it does have my name on its shoe. What, yours doesn't? Well, go write your name on his shoe. I've got to go anyway. Don't forget to use a Sharpie! Bye. ;)

  19. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    I rate this title on for age 5 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Excessive consumerism
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    great 5 star movie for the family!

    this is better than 1 (but one was very good)! I don't think it's as scary as 1 but kids might find zurg scary. He's kinda like a friendlier version of Vader. There is some sex but it's mild. Some of the toys stare at barbies and of course barbies got that unrealistic body shape. But this isn't a big deal. Like the first one, there's product placement (well, obviously since they're toys). Mr. Potato Head and Mrs. Potato Head appear but this shouldn't be an issue. I'm not a young child but I love Toy Story

  20. Parent Reviewer
    Kids ages: 9, 11
    I rate this title on for age 6 and give it 4.0

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