Cinema: Toy Story 2 Directed by John Lasseter

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Woody (voiced again by Tom Hanks) confronts toy mortality, the temptations of celebrity and, yes, the possibilities of sexual adventure (with Joan Cusack's Jessica the cowgirl). That's a lot for an earnest little cowhand to handle. But the gang from Andy's bedroom (led by Tim Allen's Buzz Lightyear, naturally) offers him daring, good-humored support during his multiple crises. Just getting Slinky the Dog, Rex the Dinosaur and Mr. Potato Head across a busy street is a task of Schwarzeneggerian proportions--but funny. Pixar's improved computer animation is up to all the demands of this excellent adventure.

--By Richard Schickel