Close Menu
  • Login
  • Support Us
  • Newsletter
  • News
  • Features
  • Interviews
  • Reviews
    • Video Games
      • Previews
      • PC
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X/S
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Xbox One
      • PS4
      • Tabletop
    • Film
    • TV
    • Anime
    • Comics
      • BOOM! Studios
      • Dark Horse Comics
      • DC Comics
      • IDW Publishing
      • Image Comics
      • Indie Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • Oni-Lion Forge
      • Valiant Comics
      • Vault Comics
  • Podcast
  • More
    • Event Coverage
    • BWT Recommends
    • RSS Feeds
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
Support Us
But Why Tho?
RSS Facebook X (Twitter) YouTube
Trending:
  • Features
    Momo and Okarun share a close moment in Dandadan

    Momo And Okarun: The Gold Standard For Shonen Romance

    07/03/2025
    Ironheart Episodes 4 6 But Why Tho 1

    ‘Ironheart’ Explained: Explore MCU’s Bold New Chapter

    07/01/2025
    Buck in 9-1-1

    ‘9-1-1’ Has To Let Buck Say Bisexual

    06/29/2025
    Nintendo Welcome Tour promotional image of the maraca mini-game

    The One “Game” That Justifies The Nintendo Switch 2 Purchase

    06/25/2025
    Destiel Confession in Supernatural - Castiel (Misha Collins) and Dean (Jensen Ackles)

    The Destiel Confession: The Lasting Importance Of Supernatural’s Greatest Ship

    06/22/2025
  • Squid Game
  • K-Dramas
  • Netflix
  • Switch 2 Games
  • Summer Game Fest
But Why Tho?
Home » Film » REVIEW: ‘Lightyear’ Gives The Space Ranger A Stellar Sci-Fi Adventure

REVIEW: ‘Lightyear’ Gives The Space Ranger A Stellar Sci-Fi Adventure

Collier "CJ" JenningsBy Collier "CJ" Jennings06/16/20224 Mins Read
Lightyear - But Why Tho
Share
Facebook Twitter Pinterest Reddit WhatsApp Email

Lightyear - But Why Tho

Lightyear, directed and co-written by Angus MacLane, returns to the Toy Story franchise that helped launch Pixar — particularly the titular Space Ranger, or rather the in-universe character that inspired him. Captain Buzz Lightyear (Chris Evans) is flying a mission on behalf of Star Command to the planet Tikana Prime. However, when attacked by Tikana’s hostile plant/insect life, Buzz ends up damaging the Star Command ship while attempting to escape. Years pass as he and the rest of his crew, including his fellow Space Ranger Alisha Hawthorne (Uzo Aduba) attempt to create a fuel source powerful enough to achieve lightspeed and go home. Buzz also has to contend with a fleet of robot invaders and a trio of rookie Space Rangers that include Alisha’s granddaughter Izzy (Keke Palmer).

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here

A title card at the beginning of the film solidifies it as a franchise within a franchise, as a young Andy Davis saw it in 1995 and it became his favorite film – to the point where his mother brought him a Buzz Lightyear action figure for his birthday and kicked off the events of the first Toy Story. Not only does this solidify Buzz as the hero of a major film franchise in the Toy Story universe, but it also serves as a meta-narrative about how certain movies can speak to us. A lot of people who see this film grew up with the first Toy Story, and their children may end up loving Lightyear just as much as Andy did.

Evans steps into Buzz’s space boots, and perfectly captures the Space Ranger’s heroism as well as his stubborn streak. Throughout the film, Buzz is fixated on the mess he made — doggedly blasting off into space to try and find a way home. His determination to “finish the mission” plays into the film’s exploration of failure, and how it doesn’t have to define your life. A decade of playing Captain America in the Marvel Cinematic Universe has served Evans well, as he manages to give Buzz vulnerability and bravery in equal measure. He even manages to capture Tim Allen’s cadence in certain scenes, and I admit a smile crossed my face whenever Buzz said classic phrases including his trademark mantra “To Infinity, and Beyond” – reinterpreted as a touching moment he shares with Alisha.

The rest of the cast is on their A-game, as well. Aduba is the beating heart behind the film, as she and Evans have a natural chemistry that helps set the film’s emotional and physical stakes. Taika Waititi and Dale Soules provide some much-needed levity as accident-prone Mo Morrison and ex-convict Darby Steele, respectively. But the MVPs are Palmer and Peter Sohn, who plays the robotic cat Sox. Palmer makes Izzy a character who’s dealing with her own baggage, including the legacy her grandmother left her; this makes for some of the film’s best moments as Buzz has to be for Izzy what Alisha was for him. And Sohn is a hoot as Sox, with the metal feline designed to be an “emotional support companion” for Buzz that also has a blowtorch and tranquilizer darts hidden in his body.

MacLane has a clear love for the sci-fi genre, and Lightyear pays homage to quite a few sci-fi franchises over the years. There are nods to Star Wars and Star Trek — particularly Buzz’s infamous archenemy Emperor Zurg (James Brolin), who in this film feels like a mix between Darth Vader and the Terminator — but there are also elements of 2001: A Space Odyssey and even The Last Starfighter. At times, those nods can be a bit on-the-nose, but overall this feels like the kind of sci-fi adventures I used to watch with my Dad and that definitely works in the film’s favor. The best moment is a montage featuring Buzz’s constant hyperspace flights juxtaposed with Alisha living her life, which serves as a fitting homage to Up. Michael Giacchino even provides the score for said sequence, which feels appropriately melancholy.

Lightyear is a stellar sci-fi adventure, adding a new dimension to the titular Space Ranger and the world of Toy Story in the process. Though it isn’t as groundbreaking as Soul or Turning Red, it still has enough of Pixar’s trademark emotional weight and character work to make it worth a watch.

Lightyear premieres in theaters nationwide on June 17, 2022.

Lightyear
  • 8/10
    Rating - 8/10
8/10

TL;DR

Lightyear is a stellar sci-fi adventure, adding a new dimension to the titular Space Ranger and the world of Toy Story in the process. Though it isn’t as groundbreaking as Soul or Turning Red, it still has enough of Pixar’s trademark emotional weight and character work to make it worth a watch.

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Email
Previous ArticleREVIEW: A Summer to Remember in ‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’
Next Article EXCLUSIVE: Crunchyroll Expo Reveals Music Fest Headliner, Special Guests
Collier "CJ" Jennings
  • Website
  • Facebook
  • X (Twitter)

Born and raised in Texas, Collier “CJ” Jennings was introduced to geekdom at an early age by his father, who showed him Ultraman and Star Trek: The Next Generation. On his thirteenth birthday, he received a copy of Giant Size X-Men #1 and dove head first into the realm of pop culture, never looking back. His hobbies include: writing screenplays and essays, watching movies and television, card games/RPG’s, and cooking. He currently resides in Seattle.

Related Posts

Superman Saves a Kid in Superman (2025)
7.0

REVIEW: ‘Superman (2025)’ Is Wonderful And Flawed, Just Like He Is

07/08/2025
The Old Guard 2
5.5

REVIEW: ‘The Old Guard 2’ Is Distracted And Half-Baked

07/02/2025
Scarlett Johansson and Jonathan Bailey in Jurassic World: Rebirth
5.5

REVIEW: ‘Jurassic World: Rebirth’ Is Best When Nobody Is Talking

06/30/2025
MEGAN 2.0 promotional image
7.0

REVIEW: ‘M3GAN 2.0’ Puts Action First

06/29/2025
F1 (2025) promotional key art
8.0

REVIEW: ‘F1’ Is A High-Octane Blockbuster

06/24/2025
KPop Demon Hunters Promotional image form Netflix
9.0

REVIEW: ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Brings Beautiful Animation And An Even Better Message

06/20/2025

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here
TRENDING POSTS
Taecyeon and Seohyun in The First Night With The Duke Episodes 7-8
7.5
TV

REVIEW: ‘The First Night With The Duke’ Episodes 7-8

By Sarah Musnicky07/03/2025

The First Night With The Duke Episodes 7-8 spends welcome time in pre-domestic bliss before new developments stir up trouble.

Alice In Borderland Season 3 promotional key image News

Netflix Announces Alice in Borderland Season 3 for September 25 Premiere

By But Why Tho?07/08/2025

Netflix has announced that the highly anticipated Alice in Borderland Season 3 will premiere on…

Together (2025) still from Sundance
8.0
Film

REVIEW: Have A Grossly Good Time ‘Together’

By Kate Sánchez01/27/2025Updated:07/04/2025

Dave Franco and Alison Brie’s Together (2025) is disgustingly funny, genuinely ugly, and just a good time at the movies.

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 and 4 Alcatraz
9.0
PS5

REVIEW: ‘Tony Hawk Pro Skater 3 + 4’ Gives Old Games New Life

By Kyle Foley07/07/2025

Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 and 4 is another example of how to breathe new life into a classic without losing touch of what makes the originals great.

But Why Tho?
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest RSS YouTube Twitch
  • CONTACT US
  • ABOUT US
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER
  • Review Score Guide
Sometimes we include links to online retail stores. If you click on one and make a purchase we may receive a small contribution.
Written Content is Copyright © 2025 But Why Tho? A Geek Community

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

But Why Tho Logo

Support Us!

We're able to keep making content thanks to readers like YOU!
Support independent media today with
Click Here