“The Unbearable Lightyear of Being”
Film Review for Northern Express, Published June 25, 2022
The risk in separating “Buzz” and “Woody” for the first-time in their delightful big screen adventures (launched in 1995 by the famed Toy Story series and meta referenced in this new franchise), would be that with one character standing on their own, we would inevitably miss the other.
But in the new animated spinoff Lightyear, that is not the case. (Perhaps not surprising, given the vast creative talents behind the film.) Instead, we find a prequel that not only enlarges Buzz Lightyear’s persona and mystique, but simultaneously breaks him off into his own unique world with dazzling new graphic style. (Though admittedly, also a world where his origin story becomes sometimes clunky and complex).
Famously and reliably naive about anything but completing the mission, Buzz — an overachieving Space Ranger in the Star Command — is honest, straightforward, and always keeps his word. And in this new hyper-realistically animated portrayal, those old-school and historically heroic qualities are tested with woke 21st-century perspectives about, well, self-care.
The too-simple plot itself puts Buzz and his whole crew stranded on an unknown planet without the needed hyper-space power to escape; a challenge so difficult to overcome that it spans generations and requires the tireless efforts of a hilarious and scene-stealing Robo-Cat named “SOX.” Complicating matters, Buzz isn’t aging at the same rate as his friends, and this inability to see life as it is playing out right in front of him only fogs and confuses his judgment.
From there, the narrative more than casually delves into the brief fragility of life, the risks of self loathing, the existential fear of becoming the worst version of one’s self, and the elastic mysteries of time dilation in the universe. Maybe we should have known this almost melancholic tone was coming after the teaser trailer was released, scored by the moody David Bowie song “Starman.”
If you’re already worried your kids will be bored, don’t be! I personally screen-tested Lightyear with four very engaged young co-critics and the space adventures, keen humor, and sheer wow-factors kept them fully entertained for the running time of 1 hour 40 minutes. It just may not be as memorable an experience for kids as it is for adults (who will find the advanced future hilariously still grappling with the limits of speech controlled devices and un-intuitive artificial intelligence failing to reach the inflection point).
Disney and Pixar should be given credit for making the new and expanded storyscape of Lightyear a modern one, reflective not just of the hopeful galactic future but the actual diversity in our here and now (themes apparently so controversial, the PG rated film has been banned in some nations).
With nuanced voice talent led by Chris Evans (building nicely on the Tim Allen “Buzz Style Guide”), and a terrific ensemble including Keke Palmer, Taika Waititi, Dale Soules and standout Peter Sohn, Lightyear just might teach us the values of collaboration and partnership over stoic and dated stereotypes of singular leadership.
If a family film can do that, it could inspire next generations to envision an infinite future without the need for Star Command.
Check local listings. Now playing at the AMC Cherry Blossom 14 and Bijou Theatre in Traverse City, Bellaire Cinema, Petoskey Cinema, Gaylord Cinema West, Harbor Springs Lyric Theatre, and other locations throughout the North.
