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Lightyear
(Walt Disney Pictures/Pixar Animation Studios)
By Lucas Allen
After the past two years releasing their motion pictures through Disney+, Pixar finally returns to its rightful home on the big screen with its new film “Lightyear.” The movie is not really a prequel to the studio’s first and most triumphant feature-length “Toy Story,” but a “within-the-universe” film that little Andy saw before he got that Buzz Lightyear toy on his birthday. However, on its own merit, it’s a fun experience with that good ol’ Pixar magic.
Stranded on a desolate planet with the rest of the science crew, space ranger Buzz Lightyear (Chris Evans) and his partner Alisha Hawthorne (Uzo Aduba) try to find a way to get back home. Eventually, they figure out they can use special crystals to fly a ship through warp speed. But it’s not without consequence as Buzz realizes the more warp speed he goes through, the quicker his friends and comrades age. In a last-ditch effort, he commandeers a ship with his robot cat companion Sox (Pete Sohn) and makes one more test with a different and greater crystal formula.
But it proves too successful when they return to the planet many years into the future and in a dour crisis. It seems Emperor Zurg (James Brolin) and his robot army is invading the planet and is holding what remains of the space ranger crew hostage. The only chance now is Buzz and Alisha’s granddaughter Izzy (Keke Palmer) leading a small squad including Sox, convict Darby Steel (Dale Soules), and rookie Mo Morrison (Taika Waititi) to try to destroy Zurg’s ship. It’s not long before the squad knows the mission will be more difficult to accomplish.
Make no mistake, this movie works as its own story beyond the “Toy Story” universe and as an exciting sci-fi adventure. Though the character had his own spinoff TV series in 2000 with “Buzz Lightyear of Star Command,” this film can be seen as something new and standalone especially for those not yet accustomed to the Pixar legacy. Not to mention, it also works for the curious of Toy Story fans wondering what Buzz’s action-packed life is like when he’s not a toy. Like any great Pixar film, this film will appeal on multiple levels regardless of whatever age range of the moviegoing public.
With a solid enough script, the animators put a lot of effort to good use with its realistic lighting and brilliant cinematography looking like a live-action movie. The editing and visual effects also add to the joyous fun of this space adventure like a modern-day version of those Buck Rogers and Flash Gordon serials. You can tell which parts of great sci-films like 2001 and Interstellar they lifted for this film, but done with imagination and serious drama.
The studio’s signature mix of humor and heart also comes through with likable supporting characters to boot. One character already proving popular is Sox, whom cat lovers will go wild in every scene he’s in. It doesn’t entirely go for the heartstrings, but when it’s sweet, it’s sweet for the senses.
Even though Tim Allen will always be the voice of Buzz Lightyear, Evans does a good job handling the character’s ego and personality. Not to mention, the former Captain America is certainly enjoying himself recreating some of Allen’s Shatner-like quirks. Both Palmer and Aduba bring plenty of heart to this film, while the combination of Sox, Soules, and Waititi delivers the film’s funniest moments. Having Brolin (whose son Josh played Thanos) play Zurg might seem weird at first, but when you see the film, his performance makes sense when you get to the third act twist.
While not one of Pixar’s best, “Lightyear” still brings the fun and the adventure to infinity and beyond. It’s nice to see a studio go out of their depth at one time or another especially while further mining their popular IPs. Don’t be surprised if they’re already developing a movie based on Buzz’s buddy/rival Woody.
THE MOVIE’S RATING: PG (for action/peril)
THE CRITIC’S RATING: 3.75 Stars (Out of Four)
