Lightyear (2022 movie review)
To infinity, and beyond!
Or... as far as we can see from this foreign planet Buzz and co have been stuck on?
This Toy Story spin-off allows us Gen Y-ers to continue living nostalgically through the characters that we grew up with and loved, however this movie is set in the place of 1995, being the movie that inspired Andy to see Buzz as his childhood hero and favourite toy (sorry, Woody). It is supposed to be the movie that Andy grew up loving and the inspiration behind the Buzz toys being such a phenomenon for children his age, akin to a Barbie to young girls, or X-men toys for all little 90s boys.
However, the movie leaves you with more questions leaving the cinema than you had entering it. Without spoiling any major plot lines, The time-space continuum is constantly referenced as Buzz balances friendship, teamwork and pure determination to repair his ship and return to earth, versus the dual-concept of time which he battles as those around him age faster than he does the many times he is quite literally, lightyears away on mission.
Characters voiced by notable stars like Chris Evans, Taika Waititi and Keke Palmer, as well as some other actors you’ll question familiarity of, there are many easter eggs for Toy Story fans and great parallels to be drawn to the prior movies.
Buzz’s main tagline as we know it, “To Infinity, and beyond”, is a line of strong conviction and great glitz, however the delivery they chose in this movie is too touching and whilst it’s nice the quote is continued through this prequel, I question why the chance to have the child friendly, inspirational heroic tag line delivered with stoicism and bravery, they instead chose to make it heart warming and subtle, something he shares with his co-worker.
My one gripe was the multitude of opportunities for the writers to reference the “Little Green Men” aka Aliens from the original Toy Story movies, and yet, they failed to make any appearance. I was hoping they’d at least make a minor appearance such as hanging from a rear-view mirror of a Jeep, but it was not to be. The little plot-holes aside that I had picked up on, this movie is emotive and nostalgic enough for you to thoroughly enjoy and marvel in the magnificent animation quality, and enjoying the subtle themes of friendship, love and hard work to make things right for all.


















