Lightyear
By Sandie Angulo Chen,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Buzz origin story is exceptionally animated and inclusive.
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Lightyear
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Based on 44 parent reviews
Not worth the time or money
What's the Story?
LIGHTYEAR begins with a reminder that, in 1995, a boy named Andy was given a Buzz Lightyear action figure from his favorite movie -- and this is that movie. (In other words, this movie is not the origin story of Andy's beloved toy and Woody's best friend: This movie is positioned as the reason the toy existed in the first place.) The Buzz in this movie (voiced by Chris Evans) is indeed a Space Ranger who takes his missions very seriously. While he's investigating an alien planet with his commanding officer/best friend, Commander Alisha Hawthorne (Uzo Aduba), and a rookie who has a lot to learn about being a space ranger, sentient vines start entangling them and their spacecraft, and all 1,200 passengers end up marooned there. Trying to fix the spacecraft, Buzz volunteers to undergo a series of test flights (with help from a brilliant therapy cat robot named Sox) to see whether they're capable of achieving hyperspace and getting off the planet. But Buzz discovers that each flight costs him time -- four years or more. In between test flights, he reconnects with Alisha and her growing family (wife, son, and eventually granddaughter). But once the lonely and singularly focused Buzz finally breaks the hyperspace code, he finds that an army of killer robots and their leader, Emperor Zurg (James Brolin), are terrorizing the planet. Buzz must work with a misfit group of three inexperienced space ranger cadets -- eager young Izzy (Keke Palmer), kind Mo (Taika Waititi), and jaded explosives specialist Darby Steel (Dale Soules) -- to help defeat Zurg.
Is It Any Good?
With its fabulous animation, honorable hero, and lovable sidekicks, this tribute to a host of space adventures is a story of perseverance, teamwork, and friendship. This version of Buzz Lightyear is ideally voiced by Evans, who already has that perfect Captain America halo of courage, loyalty, and hard work. For him, finishing a mission is paramount -- even above his own comfort or sense of belonging. His relationship with Alisha/Commander Hawthorne is a highlight, because they have complementary strengths and trust and respect each other. Aduba does a lovely job of expressing the commander's concern, love, and humor for her space ranger partner/bestie. Similarly, Palmer, Soules, and Waititi are hilarious as the ragtag trio who test Buzz's ability to rely on others, ask for help, and act as a patient and encouraging team leader. And Peter Sohn's scene-stealing portrayal of Sox the brilliant and candid robo cat is sure to delight viewers of all ages.
Director Angus MacLane impresses with the technical excellence of the movie's animation: Textured hair, Sox's fur, and the aggressive vines are as amazingly detailed as the epic landscapes of space and the planet on which all the action takes place. Composer Michael Giacchino's score is spot-on for '90s blockbusters, and the script tips its hat to nearly all of the big space-based films, from 2001 to Star Wars and back again. And Disney takes a big step forward (for them) on the representation and inclusion front by featuring a Black lesbian character. There's no coming out necessary for Commander Hawthorne; Buzz knows that his best friend's partner would be a "her," just as she knew he would need Sox because he'd end up lonely after all the time jumps. Animated movies need more organic inclusion, and Lightyear handles it in a natural way. Ultimately, although Lightyear isn't at the top of Pixar's "heartwarming" (and heartrending) scale, it's far more than the cash cow some viewers expected.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about whether Lightyear brings the Toy Story franchise to a satisfying conclusion. Do you think the movies feel complete, or would you want more Lightyear sequels?
What positive diverse representation did you notice in the movie? Why are representation and inclusion important?
What did you think about the violence and peril in the movie? Is it age-appropriate? Why, or why not? How much and what kinds of violence are OK for younger audiences?
Movie Details
- In theaters: June 17, 2022
- On DVD or streaming: September 13, 2022
- Cast: Chris Evans , Keke Palmer , Taika Waititi
- Director: Angus MacLane
- Inclusion Information: Female actors, Black actors, Indigenous actors, Polynesian/Pacific Islander actors
- Studio: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
- Genre: Family and Kids
- Topics: Adventures , Friendship , Robots , Space and Aliens
- Character Strengths: Courage , Empathy , Perseverance , Teamwork
- Run time: 100 minutes
- MPAA rating: PG
- MPAA explanation: action/peril
- Award: Common Sense Selection
- Last updated: July 2, 2024
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