Drew Turney
Just in case Disney’s stock price doesn’t breach the stratosphere next quarter on the back of the bajillions of dollars on Star Wars merch, Pixar handed ”Cars” and ”Brave” writer Steve Purcell this half hour short that continues the story of the ”Toy Story” universe.
It’s some years after Andy gave his beloved toy collection to Bonnie (Emily Hahn), and Buzz (Tim Allen), Woody (Tom Hanks) and the gang are as happy as can be. But when Bonnie goes for a playdate to a friend’s house who’s more interested in video games than the playroom crammed full of the latest and greatest toys he has, it can only mean trouble brewing.
The dinosaur toys (like Buzz in the first movie), having been passed over for video games and never played with, don’t know they’re toys – taking their warrior culture and battle arena way too seriously thanks to the leadership of the evil Cleric (voiced by director Purcell).
At first, Bonnie’s stegosaurus toy Trixie (Kristen Schaal) loves it, feeling like she’s found both her own kind and a friend in the upright Reptilius Maximus (Kevin McKidd). But when the dino hordes take Woody and Buzz and throw them into the arena to do battle – the loser destined to be thrown down the air conditioning vent and into the fan – things take a serious turn.
The underlying theme is the same one that’s driven the whole ”Toy Story” mythology – that imagination and creating your own world is what toys are all about, the sanctity of childrens’ play almost a religion. For everyone else there are enough sight gags, sly pop culture references and jokes to pass the time.
DVD : Extras include a fictitious TV promo for the dino battle toys, the story of where they came from, deleted scenes, a commentary and more.
