Lightyearis just beyond the horizon, with Disney’s unique venture into the belovedToyStoryuniverse coming to theaters later this month and last night critics got their first look at the movie within a movie. A somewhat mind-bending concept,Lightyearis not a film about Buzz the toy, but a movie that young Andy and his friends would’ve seen within theToy Storyuniverse, making them all want the action figure — similar toWoody’s RoundupinToy Story 2. The movie is set to introduce new characters like Sox the robot cat (PeterSohn), and bring back the iconic villain, Emperor Zurg (James Brolin).
No stranger to hero movies,Chris Evansvoices the space ranger forLightyear, which also features the voice talents ofKeke Palmer,Uzo Aduba,Dale Soules, andTaika Waititi. The film is directed byAngus MacLaneand centers around Buzz and an ensemble of fellow space rangers stuck on a planet 4.2 million light-years away from home: Earth. As Buzz and co. try to figure out how to get home, they’ll have to battle unknown threats as well as the evil Emperor Zurg and his terrifying army.
The last time we took to theToyStoryuniverse it was for the fourth film in the franchise that saw the end of an era as Woody (Tom Hanks) and Buzz (Tim Allen) went their separate ways to continue fulfilling their own destinies as toys. The film that launched the franchise hit theaters in 1995 and is still considered one of the best animated movies ever made.
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Lightyearis set to hit theaters just over a week from now, but what are critics saying about it? DoesLightyeartake us to infinity and beyond or does it fall short of shooting for the moon? Will this version of Buzz hold up in comparison with the beloved ’90s edition? Is the movie within a movie concept worth exploring further? Check out the first reactions to Disney’sLightyeardown below.
Here’s what Collider’s ownPerriNemiroff,RossBonaime, andChristina Radishhad to say:
Nemiroff isn’t the only one to have her heart stolen by Sox, across the board journalists are calling that little guy a superstar.
Others are praising Lightyear as an excellent space adventure filled with excitement, some going so far as to call it a cinematic masterpiece.
Overall critics are callingLightyear’s mission a success, sharing praise for the stunning animation as well as the emotional narrative.
