Lightyear

Angus MacLane directs this latest addition to the Toy Story catalogue. The film opens explaining how in 1995 Andy bought a Buzz Lightyear action figure (he’s not a toy!) based on a character from his favourite film and Lightyear is that film. We find Buzz and his crew in hibernation as they travel home. Buzz is awoken as the ship finds life on an uncharted planet. However Buzz (voiced this time by Chris Evans) and his fellow Space Ranger, Alisa Hawthorne (Uzo Aduba) realise the planet is less than friendly. While escaping Buzz overcomits the take off and damages the craft stranding everyone. After a year of effort they recreate the fuel crystal needed to get them home, but when the tests don’t go to plan, Buzz finds himself in a different time and place and with a bunch of brand new problems.

So did Toy Story need a Buzz Lightyear action figure orgin story? Of course not. Does it add anything to the Pixar classics? Definitely not. So is it worth it?

Well, what you get with Lightyear is a solid but definitely not spectacular Pixar animation. Which is reality means it’s decent enough, but in a world where Disney+ has been the home of recent (and better) Pixar films, it’s odd they chose this for the cinema.

It’s fine, looks brilliant, as you’d expect and the voice cast all deliver. Evans does a fine Buzz and the supporting cast of Keke Palmer (Izzy), Taika Waititi (Mo) Dale Soules (Darby) and scene stealer Peter Sohn (Sox) are all solid. The story is ok and moves along nicely for its 100 minute run time, with decent action sequences and humour throughout.

What it really lacks though is the thing great Pixar films have, a real emotional core, a heart that drags you right in. While its along way from terrible such a beloved character deserves something with heart and more than passable entertainment.

We didn’t really need a Buzz “origin” story and Lightyear proves that. It lacks the heart of Toy Story and is nowhere near Pixar’s best. That said it’s passable entertainment which I enjoyed while it lasted, but already the memory of it has drifted into infinity and maybe beyond.