A One Mann’s Movies review of “Lightyear” (2022).
“Lightyear” tries to cash in on the “Toy Story” franchise without actually needing the vocal talent of Tom Hanks… or indeed Tim Allen! But we are a few parsecs here from Pixar at its best.
Bob the Movie Man Rating(s):
Plot Summary:
After crash-landing on an alien planet, Space-Ranger Buzz Lightyear (voiced by Chris Evans), together with his colleague Alisha Hawthorne (Uzo Aduba), try to help the colony by testing a replacement star drive unit that will help get them home. But the tests keep pitching Lightyear forward in time… and he doesn’t always like what he finds there.
Certification:
Talent:
Starring: Chris Evans, Uzo Aduba, Keke Palmer, Taika Waititi, James Brolin.
Directed by: Angus MacLane.
Written by: Jason Headley & Angus MacLane. (Based on a story by Angus MacLane, Jason Headley & Matthew Aldrich).
Twitter Handles: #Lightyear.
Lightyear Review:
Positives:
- It’s Pixar, so obviously its pretty gorgeous to look at. And some of the animation (for example, in the light speed tests) is brilliantly realised.
- The script presents a few moments of Pixar laugh-out-loud comedy. (And the fact that all of the evil Zurg robots have a “Z” logo printed on them is unintentionally amusing given the current conflict in Ukraine!) The story, with its time-travelling angle and moments of great sadness, is also thoughtful. However, I’d fear aspects of this (and indeed a reveal about the evil emporor Zurg) might well confuse a younger audience.
- Disney/Pixar again steps into brave new territory (at least, against the Trump-loving far right) with a same-sex couple and a same-sex kiss. Bravo!
- Another great score by Michael Giacchino.
- I liked the standard Pixar “Production Babies” section in the end titles being called “Future Space Rangers”!
Negatives:
- Although it’s clearly a key part of its marketing, the problem with this one is its association with the Toy Story franchise. This is described as being the film that Andy saw that made him desperate for a Buzz Lightyear toy. But one of the key aspects of the Toy Story films was the comedy in Buzz not knowing that he was a toy… a “child’s plaything”. Strip that out and “Lightyear” then feels rather one-dimensional. A. N. Other animated space adventure. This isn’t helped by the screenplay rather obviously shoehorning in stock Buzz phrases. It feels like it is constantly trying to justify its association.
- While there WERE laugh-out-loud moments, far too much of the comedy seemed to fall rather flat for me.
Monkeys?
There are two monkeys in the end-credits: one mid-credits and another at the end. Neither are particularly chortle-worthy though.
Summary Thoughts on “Lightyear”:
I was late to the game on this one. And after some of the reviews I’d been reading, I was fearing a complete bust. And it’s certainly not that. “Lightyear” is a reasonably entertaining yarn and as beautifully animated as you would expect. Although it has yet to be tested on the “Mini-Movie Men” (my grandkids), I think they will enjoy it (and probably give it an higher rating than I have). For me though it’s definitely “Toy Story-lite” fare.
Oh, and by the way, listen put for a character called ”Tim” who the end credits say is played bybour own UK Space Ranger, Tim Peake!
Trailer for “Lightyear”
The trailer is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BwZs3H_UN3k .
