A spin-off that shot for the moon and landed among the stars.
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Disney and Pixar's Lightyear follows the origin story of Buzz Lightyear, the legendary Space Ranger who inspired the toy after he was marooned on a hostile planet 4.2 million light-years from Earth alongside his commander and their crew.
Behind the voice of the main character is Hollywood darling Chris Evans taking on the daunting task of voicing the titular hero made famous by Tim Allen in the Toy Story films. While he lacks in flair comparable to Allen, he delivers a commanding performance that distinguishes their characters perfectly. Joining him are a crew of misfit recruits voiced by the likes of Keke Palmer as Izzy Hawthorne, Dale Soules as Darby Steels, and a distinguishable Taika Waititi as comic-relief Mo Morrison. While Buzz may be the heart of the film, the overall standout character, however, is his loveable companion, Sox, a robotic cat that is sure to steal the hearts of audiences both young and old.
With its original storyline, Lightyear adopts a darker palette with a mature tone that leaves behind the vibrant and adolescent nature of its parent franchise. The epic sci-fi adventure proves Pixar has come a very long way with the quality of animation too. There is some pretty spectacular cinematography at work that will make you almost forget you’re watching an animated film.
While it may not catch the heart of audiences the way the Toy Story films had in the past, Lightyear is a solid standalone entry in Disney and Pixar’s filmography that does not need the leverage of the franchise for its success. It is also of course not short of Pixar’s signature sentimental touch that fans are accustomed to so, strap in for a ride that is equal parts thrilling and emotional.
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