REVIEW: Lightyear

This Toy Story-adjacent movie is a worthy entry for the Pixar family, and might be my favorite from the studio since Up and Toy Story 3. It’s one of the most enjoyable movies I’ve seen this year.A true science fiction adventure, this film follows titular character Buzz Lightyear as he tries to help his people—marooned on an alien planet for years—escape and get back home.The movie stars Chris Evans as Buzz, and he is indomitable in the role—particularly when it comes to being the heart of the movie and giving viewers insight into the struggles of being a Space Ranger. Keke Palmer, in the role of Izzy, knocks it out of the park.But let’s be honest, Sox the cat (acted by Peter Sohn) steals the show in every way—and the movie is all the better for it. He provides comic relief when it’s needed, while also bringing a layer of complexity to Lightyear’s character, who admittedly can come across as one-more at points (just as he does in the Toy Story proper films).The story is fast paced and full of interesting twists and turns, but by the end of it, it’s easy to understand why a kid like Andy (the boy from the original TS franchise) would gravitate so much toward Buzz. After all—this film is the same one he saw before the first Toy Story movie that led him to ask for that Buzz Lightyear action figure.This is a movie for parents—enveloped deep in nostalgia—that kids new to the world of Pixar and Toy Story can grasp onto and love. It’s got a little bit of everything for everybody.Both my boys loved this movie and are excited to now finally see the Toy Story movies.As for Malia, her review is summed up as such: “One word: Sox! 😻”

The bottom line: Sure to be a Pixar classic, this movie is steeped in nostalgia and full of energy. It’s a must-watch summer blockbuster. 9/10