Lightyear The Summer Movie We Needed

The last two years have been rough in terms of kids really having a few movies to enjoy at the movies vs streaming. So I was super excited when I found out “Lightyear” was being developed because not only was it a character that I had come to love in the 90’s. It was the fact that this character was getting his own backstory and in a way that was unique.

To Infinity And Beyond

Lightyear had two things going for it before I even got to preview it, Pixar decided to cast Chris Evans as the beloved “Buzz Lightyear”, and while interviewing the directors and cast I loved the reason he was chosen. Angus MacLane (Director) said he already had Chris in mind when he was developing the storyline because of some of the iconic leadership roles he has taken before such as Captain America.

Likewise Chris Evans really had to think about taking on such an iconic role as it was already played for multiple years by Tim Allen. However in this film we see Chris really take Buzz on a self discovery journey that is all about team work, and how to go to Infinity and Beyond.

Representation

Pixar has been amazing the last couple of year in really grasping what diversity really is with its shorts and movies. Lightyear is no different. Given the fact that basically all of the cast is diversified from two strong black women played by Alisha (Uzo Aduba) and Izzy (Keke Palmer). To (Taika Waititi) playing Mo a character who seems to have ADHD and some clumsiness, which by the way related to so many kids to have disabilities who could see themselves as MO and a Space Ranger.

Darby (Dale Soules) an older character who even though is older is represented as still being a kick-a** character which has kids wondering why their grandma can’t suit up to be a Space Ranger. Throw in the impeccable Peter Sohn who plays Sox the cat, and we have an almost full cast of POC.

Another first was showing Alisha and her same sex partner and while crowds may gasp and the film banned in different countries. Families around the globe will rejoice in the fact that they see their family represented on screen.

An Infinity Of Haters

Some of the reviews are out on the film and the common theme is the movies doesn’t need to be as long as it is, or that the storyline lacks, they should not have made a stand alone movie etc. The fact is that many of these outlets are missing the mark, on what really matters about this movie, granted we all have our opinions however they left out some key factors on why this film was amazing.

From start to finish the film is action packed there is also something going, and it wasn’t hard to be on the edge of your seat. Many people have tried to compare this movie to “Toy Story” and that fact is you can’t, this movie isn’t about Woody and trying to be with Andy. The film is about who Buzz was as a character and became the icon he was to be turned into a toy.

Hit out the Park

The common theme throughout the movie is the fact that it is about Buzz learning how to rely on others. We also see a lot of characters like Izzy, Mo, and Darby go through changes themselves for the better. Even Sox who is an AI cat has things to learn about himself along the way.

I cried in some instances, and then in some cases I laughed super hard. I can tell you for a fact that Sox steals the show, with his little antics and quick responses to Buzz it makes for an epic power team. The movie is great for the whole family, at the premiere there were people of all ages. Let me tell you if Jon Voight is laughing at the film, then it must have some good parts to it right?

My opinion this will be an epic family blockbuster that both millennials that grew up with Buzz and kids now can still enjoy together! Go watch it June 17th!