SNAPSHOT
To infinity and… The sci-fi action-adventure presents the definitive origin story of Buzz Lightyear—the hero who inspired the toy—introducing the legendary Space Ranger who would win generations of fans. Lightyear is directed by American animation filmmaker Angus MacLane, co-director on Finding Dory, and director of the shorts Toy Story of Terror and Burn-E, as well as work for years as an animator at the studio. The final screenplay credits have not been confirmed yet. Based on characters created by Pete Docter for the original Toy Story. Produced by Galyn Susman. Made by Pixar Animation Studios. (synopsis courtesy First Showing)
Buzz Lightyear is a hero. Well, eventually …
To begin with, when we first meet him in Toy Story, he is a deluded action figure who’s overweening bravado and lack of self-awareness that he in, in fact, a toy, make his claim of being a bona fide galactic hero laughable.
As the movie goes on, and subsequent adventures in Toy Story 2, Toy Story 3 and Toy Story 4 validate, Buzz is, in fact, one of the great heroes of our time with street smarts, intelligence, heart and way more goofiness that is likely good for someone of his stature but which humanises him beautifully.
But where did is story start and why did he become the person, and then toy, that he is?
Lightyear offers us one of the best origin stories to come along in some time, introducing us to the man on which the toy is based, and also to his new robotic companion Sox who is hilarious, described by Gizmodo as “a crossover between backflipping pet toys and Captain Marvel’s Goose, if Goose didn’t have alien tentacles flying out of its mouth and could instead speak in a clipped robot voice and play white noise.”
He’s a comical interlude in a very serious film, which helps explains why the Buzz we first meet in Toy Story takes himself so damn seriously.
He’s a hero, after all … really.
Lightyear opens in cinemas on 16 June 2022 in Australia and 17 June in USA and UK.