Product Details

• Actors: John Lasseter, Tom Hanks, Tim Allen
• Format: Anamorphic, Animated, Box set, Color, DVD, Widescreen, NTSC
• Language: English (Dolby Digital 5.1 EX)
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.77:1
• Number of discs: 3
• Rating: G (General Audience)
• Studio: Disney/Pixar
• DVD Release Date: October 17, 2000
• Run Time: 546 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (575 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00004U9WR
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #6,163 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)

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  #20 in	Movies & TV > Comedy > Comedy Stars > Tom Hanks
  #31 in	Movies & TV > Kids & Family > Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment > Animated Movies
  #75 in	Movies & TV > Boxed Sets > Kids & Family

• For more information about "Toy Story - The Ultimate Toy Box (Collector's Edition)" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

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 into and are refreshed, 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, which can be found on the Pixar video Tiny Toy Stories) 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. --Doug Thomas

Toy Story 2
John Lasseter and his gang of high-tech creators at Pixar create another entertainment for the 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 1994 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. two other outstanding 1999 animated features (The Iron Giant, Princess Mononoke) could not: it became a huge box-office hit. --Doug Thomas

DVD features

Not only are the folks at Pixar smart, fun filmmakers, they understand the promise of DVD. The Ultimate Toy Box is a scrapbook of "ideas, art, and effort" behind the two landmark films. Both films are presented in their original widescreen (1.77:1) format with commentaries from director John Lasseter and his fellow filmmakers, but the real treasure is the third disc of background information from both movies. This includes the history, story design, animation, music, and publicity of each film. The first film's extras include material from an earlier released laser disc as well as new features examining the animation process. It clearly illustrates just how the film is made, right down to looking over an animator's shoulder as he works his program. The second film's extras include explanation of how abandoned elements of the first film were picked up in the sequel. There's also a fascinating look at how "Woody's Roundup," the faux '50s TV show, was created. Add hundreds of art stills, dramatic 360-degree views of the "sets," interviews, a guide to hidden jokes, original song demos, story reels, and early test work, and you have one of the best--and entertaining--disc sets ever made. --Doug Thomas

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

62 of 72 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best DVD set you can buy. Period., November 6, 2000

By	Michael Rucki "orderedchaos" (Washington DC) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

If you're an "extras" hound like me, "Toy Story & Toy Story 2 - The Ultimate Toy Box" is the promised land. Hands down the best goodies of any DVD to this date. Oh yeah, and you get two excellent movies too! :)

I won't spend time on the movies themselves, except to say that they're two of the most entertaining films ever made. Instead, let's focus on why to get the 3-DVD set instead of the 2-DVD set.

The third DVD is truly impressive. You'll find fully-animated deleted scenes; funny & interesting interviews with cast, crew, animators, etc.; an absolutly hysterical debate on "Who's the best character?" with Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, and the whole cast; some very detailed explanations of the techniques used to create the movies; and so much more. I've spent over three hours on Disc 3 alone so far, and there's a lot more to go!

There are even cool hidden features. For example, on Disc 3 choose 'Toy Story 2.' Under the 'Story' section, choose 'Jesse's Song.' On the next screen that appears, press the 'Left' arrow key on your remote control & you'll see a question mark. With the question mark highlighted, hit 'Enter' for a outtake with an introduction by the directors.

The sound & picture quality on all three discs are the best I've seen on DVD. Helps when the whole movie was CREATED digitally, eh? :)

All in all "The Ultimate Toy Box" is the best DVD set around, bar none. Well worth the extra money!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A triumph!, December 14, 2000

By	Kurt A. Johnson (North-Central Illinois, USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)    (VINE VOICE)

This review is from: Toy Story 2 [VHS] (VHS Tape)

In this sequel to Toy Story, Woody (Tom Hanks) begins to fear that his usefulness as a toy is coming to end. When Woody is stolen, Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) organizes a rescue. While our erstwhile heroes are seeking Woody out, Woody finds out the truth about himself; it seems that in the '50s he was the star of a hit show - Woody's Round-up. Given a choice between returning to his owner (and facing the end of his usefulness), or staying with the Round-up gang and living forever in a toy museum, Woody is torn. Simultaneously, the rescue team is facing peril after peril, culminating in the ultimate confrontation - Buzz Lightyear versus the evil Emperor Zurg! [Color, created in 1999, with a running time of 92 minutes.]

This movie is outstanding, and even better than the original! The darkness that shaded the original (Sid) is missing in this one, and the minor sadness is quickly replaced with adventure and hilarity. As an added bonus, the VHS includes the original Pixar cartoon Luxo Jr. and a set of outtakes (both originally seen in the theatre version), plus a video of the Riders in the Sky singing the Woody's Round-up Medley.

The movie is entertaining and lighthearted, the soundtrack is entertaining, and the action is spellbinding. This is a great movie for all ages. I can't recommend it enough.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Toy Story 2, April 13, 2000

By	Jacqueline Paré (TN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Toy Story 2

I took my Niece to see it and expected it to begood but I was not prepared for what followed. What a terrific movie.Woody and Buz have worked through the problems that existed between them in the first Toy Story and have become the best of friends. I laughed throughout the movie. What humor, I loved the scene where Mrs. Potato Head is packing Mr. Potato Head for his trip to save Woody and she packs his angry eyes "just in case". The depth of the personalities, the humor and thoughtfulness of each of the characters makes me feel as though these are real people. I have put this movie on my list of "All Time Favorites" My Niece is 5 and I am 47 and we both loved it. I am eagerly waiting for it to be available for home viewing so I can own my own copy. Hats off to Disney and Pixar for a job well done.