To Infinity and Beyond: Lightyear Review
As the movie explains in its opening, Lightyear is the movie saw that made Andy want a Buzz Lightyear toy in the original Toy Story movie. In it, Buzz and his comrades are stranded on a hostile planet because of an error that Buzz makes. Determined to make up for his error and complete the mission (which is to bring everyone home), he insists on being the pilot to test the hyperspeed crystal that is needed to allow their ship (affectionately called “The Turnip”) to travel the distance needed. However, when Buzz returns from a test flight to find his people under attack by a group of advanced robots that can only say Zurg, the mission becomes a little more difficult. His only aid is a self-help robotic therapy cat, Sox, and a group of unqualified Space Ranger trainees.
As with every Pixar movie, this one is beautifully rendered. Little details are artfully illustrated. I was particularly taken by the texture of trainee Izzy Hawthorne’s hair, which felt particularly realistic, as well as space itself. (After seeing the unending stars in the night sky, I get where someone might get Astrophobia.) Buzz learns an important lesson about teamwork (something you’d hope Space Ranger training would stress before approving someone for active duty) and the value of others, even rookies. The movie was perfectly enjoyable. It was filled with amusing characters, including the trainees, wide-eyed Izzy, elderly ex-con Darby, and the klutzy Mo, and some surprising twists (let’s just say that the reveal that Emperor Zurg is Buzz’s father, which was revealed in Toy Story 2, does not appear to be cannon, but his true identity is just as interesting). However, it did not quite reach the heights of the other Toy Story movies or even your average Pixar film. (To be fair, Pixar has set such a high bar that they are bound to miss it sometimes.)
What this movie was missing is heart – one of Buzz’s central relationships largely occurs offscreen, making it less impactful than it might have been if we had gotten to live in it. This was by necessity of the plot, but it still felt unfortunate. Additionally, the world-building felt like it was lacking. Where was the Turnip coming from? What was its original mission? Who is in the Galactic Alliance? A lot of details seemed to be missing, as though the creators had decided that this was a movie for kids and kids wouldn’t care about the smaller details. That may be true, but Pixar has always masterfully balanced their young audience with the adults that will inevitably see the movie as well. And not just parents of young children!
ABOUT THE MOVIE
Official Synopsis: From Disney and Pixar comes an animated sci-fi action-adventure — the definitive origin story of Buzz Lightyear (voice of Chris Evans), the hero who inspired the toy. “Lightyear” follows the legendary space ranger on an intergalactic adventure alongside ambitious recruits, Izzy, Mo and Darby, and his robot companion Sox. As this motley crew embark on their toughest mission yet, they must learn to work as a team to escape the evil Zurg and his dutiful robot army who are never far behind.
Rated: PG
Starring: Chris Evans, Uzo Aduba, James Brolin, Mary McDonald-Lewis, Keke Palmer, Efren Ramirez, Peter Sohn, Dale Soules, Taika Waititi, Isiah Whitlock Jr.
Directed By: Angus MacLane
Screenplay by: Jason Headley and Angus MacLane
Produced By: Galyn Susman
Executive Producers: Neil Blair, Danny Cohen, Josh Berger, Courtenay Valenti and Michael Sharp
In Theaters: June 17, 2022
Runtime: 1 hr 45 min
Watch the trailer:
Photo: Buzz Lightyear and Sox in Lightyear. Courtesy of Disney,