'Toy Story' double feature not to be missed

• By BRETT TROXLER
• WBRZ Web Producer
• Published: Nov 2, 2009

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"Toy Story" took the cinematic world by storm in 1995. Produced by Pixar and distributed by Disney, it was the first fully computer-animated feature film and enjoyed overwhelming box office success. More importantly, it was the movie that started it all for Pixar, which has continued to provide quality entertainment for kids and adults alike, thanks to clever writing with many layers of humor and gorgeous, almost flawless animation.

The success of the original spawned a sequel, "Toy Story 2," and this October you have a chance to see both films in the beloved franchise, back-to-back, in a digital 3-D double feature. That's right, you get two Pixar classics for one great price, separated by a 10-minute intermission so you can take care of that run to the bathroom or your growling stomach.

The new presentation will wow you, as the "Toy Story" franchise has never looked better. Woody, Buzz and the gang are all larger than life and crystal clear in digital 3-D. In addition to that, you get a chance to notice things you may not have caught before. Names on books and board games in the background are easier to read, as is the hunt for some of the Disney and Pixar Easter eggs spread throughout. And theater sound has improved so much in the last 10-15 years, it's hard to miss the use of Star Wars sound effects in the opening sequence of "Toy Story 2."

In the original "Toy Story," Andy's room of toys gets invaded by space ranger Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen), a toy with all moving parts, gadgets, buttons, blinking lights, and glow-in-the-dark panels you could ask for. Problem is, he thinks he's the real Buzz Lightyear and he's crash landed his space ship (a cardboard box) on a strange planet. Despite his delusions, he's managed to supplant Woody (Tom Hanks) as Andy's favorite toy. As if that isn't enough to worry about, there's also a kid next door who gets his jollies torturing innocent toys, and moving day is just around the corner.

The sequel throws more mayhem at the cast of toys. Andy goes off to Cowboy Camp, leaving a wounded Woody behind to be stolen from a yard sale by a greedy collector. Whisked away to a strange penthouse, Woody learns he's a rare toy from an old TV show that was canceled, and he's the final piece of a collection that's going to be sold to a museum in Japan. Jessie the Yodeling Cowgirl (Joan Cusack) and Stinky Pete the Prospector (Kelsey Grammer) join the cast in "Toy Story 2," and the film also marks the first appearance of Buzz's arch-villain, the evil and sinister Emperor Zerg, which leads to some hilarious scenes when the two face off.

Double features like this don't come often, but it's really a neat idea that shouldn't be missed. You get all the "Toy Story" you can ask for in one visit to the theater -- Randy Newman compositions and army men recon missions; visits to Pizza Planet and Al's Toy Barn; Woody and Buzz, Rex and Mr. Potatohead, Slinky and Hamm, Jessie and Bo Peep -- and the whole barrel of monkeys.

And it might just be your first chance to see the trailer for "Toy Story 3." That's right, there's more fun with the "Toy Story" gang coming in 2010. To infinity, and beyond!