By Laura BennettFriday 17 Jun 2022Hope AfternoonsMoviesReading Time: 3 minutes
Disney movies are normally an easy “Yes” for parents when their kids ask to watch them, but Lightyear is so far proving to be more controversial than most.
Based on the character introduced to us in 1995’s Toy Story, Lightyear’s opening credits explained it as the movie Andy watched that made him fall in love with Buzz and caused the all-American space ranger to become a pop-culture icon.
As we meet a young Buzz, his mission to a hostile planet has turned bad after he and his crew become marooned due to a failing on his part. Now, he must try and right his wrong and find a way to get his team back home, embarking on an intergalactic space adventure that threatens his life and the future of his crew.
Where Lightyear steps into controversy, is in its choice to include Pixar’s first prominent homosexual character on screen, and with that, their first same-sex kiss.
The decision has seen the film banned in several countries ahead of its release and prompted the filmmakers to share more about the behind-the-scenes production of the movie and what led to the character’s inclusion.
It will be up to each viewer to decide how they feel about the addition of this narrative alongside Buzz’s, but just as it’s prompted discussion prior to the movie’s release, it’ll no doubt be a talking point afterwards as well.
It will be up to each viewer to decide how they feel about the addition of this narrative alongside Buzz’s…
Aside from that aspect of the movie, Lightyear is a straightforward action adventure for kids.
Buzz is a consummate leader who feels the weight of responsibility in every situation, especially when lives are at stake. He has confidence in his own ability, but knows it has its limits and is burdened when he reaches them. The greatest struggle for Buzz is admitting he’s made a mistake, and being OK with getting help from others to rectify it.
Lightyear isn’t about having a singular hero, but rather seeing what we can achieve as a team and knowing that even when we get things wrong, it all can work out for the better. Mistakes aren’t failure.
Lightyear isn’t about having a singular hero, but rather seeing what we can achieve as a team…
Voiced by Chris Evans (Captain America, Knives Out) the Buzz of Lightyear isn’t trying to win you over with nostalgia in the same way he might had he been voiced by Tim Allen, but there’s enough mentions of “to infinity and beyond” to get adults beaming.
The logic of this being the movie Andy watched pre Toy Story does feel a little flawed given the very 2022 storyline, but unlike franchises of the Star Wars and Marvel calibre, Lightyear’s purpose isn’t to fill a hole in a narrative universe but rather give Pixar a reason to come back to Buzz.
Lightyear is in cinemas now, rated PG.
Feature image: Official Disney and Pixar’s Lightyear Facebook