‘Lightyear’ – Review
Get ready to go to infinity and beyond with Disney-Pixar’s latest animated adventure Lightyear. And for audiences young and old, this is a fantastic time out at the movies.
Lightyear revolves around the origin story of Buzz Lightyear, the character who inspired the action figure in the Toy Story films.
When it comes to animated films, they don’t get more seminal or sentimental than Disney-Pixar’s Toy Story, which when released in 1995, ushered in a completely new style of animated storytelling. Now in Lightyear, director Angus MacLane gives audiences the story behind the toy. And there’s plenty of movie magic to keep audiences entertained.
Set up as the origin story of how Buzz Lightyear became Buzz Lightyear, Lightyear follows the intrepid Space Ranger as he finds himself stranded on a dangerous alien planet and the mission to find his way back home. Themes of adventure, time, teamwork and family play out in this narrative, and Lightyear has a dynamic story that will keep audiences engaged. Plus, MacLane throws in plenty of surprises that audiences won’t see coming. The storytelling is packed out with that classic Pixar-quality that we have come to know and love, and Lightyear is sure to pluck at your heartstrings.
Stepping into the gung-ho character of Buzz Lightyear is Disney veteran Chris Evans, and he really steps up in the role. Bringing a certain intrepid Chuck Yeager quality to Lightyear, Buzz is a man who is dedicated to the mission first and foremost. But this sense of discipline blinds him to the truth, and Lightyear is about his journey to open up and actually see that there is more to life than just blind obedience. Evans goes on quite a journey of discovery as Buzz, and there’s a lot of character growth that reflects the growth of Buzz in the Toy Story films. Evans is perfectly suited for the character, and you see his mannerisms as an actor come out in this animated character, and he clearly had a blast in the role.
From the visual standpoint, Lightyear is a visual treat to watch, and MacLane and his artists give it a visual style similar to the striking imagery of Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyessy. This is a pure portrait of science fiction space exploration, and witnessing it up on the cinema screen is sure to leave your eyes open in amazement. The visuals are gorgeous to look upon, and when Buzz does make the jump to hyperspace you’ll be absolutely blown back in your seat with how amazing it is! There’s an intensity and speed to the visuals of Lightyear, and children and parents will feel the kick of the action of this high-speed film.
Lightyear is a perfect treat for families who are seeking a return to the movies, and it’s a fabulous watch that will leave you wanting to go to infinity and beyond.
Image: Walt Disney Pictures
