Lightyear: First reactions praise Pixar’s Toy Story spinoff for its fun characters & dazzling visuals

The first reactions to the Pixar Toy Story spinoff Lightyear are beginning to trickle out and they are praising the film for its fun characters and dazzling visuals.

Lightyear is an origin story of sorts that tells the “real” story of Buzz Lightyear. Per the film’s official synopsis, “Lightyear follows the legendary Space Ranger after he’s marooned on a hostile planet 4.2 million light-years from Earth alongside his commander and their crew. As Buzz tries to find a way back home through space and time, he’s joined by a group of ambitious recruits and his charming robot Zurg, an imposing presence with an army of ruthless robots and a mysterious agenda.” This being the first Pixar movie to hit the big screen in over two years, expectations had to be a bit high but it looks like it’s living up to the hype. Everyone seems to agree that the animation is breathtakingly beautiful and Chris Evans is getting some solid notices for his vocal work as Buzz Lightyear. The movie is also full of fun characters, with Sox, in particular, getting a lot of praise as a true standout. You can see some of the first reactions below!

Lightyear serves as a prequel to the Toy Story franchise and it depicts the in-universe movie of the fictional Buzz Lightyear character. While Tim Allen voiced Buzz Lightyear across four Toy Story films, Chris Evans has stepped in as the voice of the human Buzz Lightyear. When speaking about doing the movie Evans said, “The phrase ‘a dream come true’ gets thrown around a lot, but I’ve never meant it more in my life. Anyone who knows me knows that my love for animated films runs deep. I can’t believe that I get to be a part of the Pixar family and work with these truly brilliant artists who tell stories unlike anyone else. Watching them work is nothing short of magic. I pinch myself every day.” The film was first announced at Disney’s 2020 Investor Day meeting in December.

In addition to Evans, the voice cast includes Keke Palmer, Dale Soules, Taika Waititi, Peter Sohn, Uzo Aduba, James Brolin, Mary McDonald-Lewis, Efren Ramirez, and Isiah Whitlock Jr. Michael Giacchino, the man behind the score for the upcoming film The Batman, as well as Spider-Man: No Way Home, is providing the original score for Lightyear and this continues his long history with Pixar. He won an Oscar, Golden Globe, and GRAMMY for the original score featured in Pixar’s Up.

Annie Award-winning director and veteran Pixar animator Angus MacLane, who co-directed 2016’s Finding Dory, helms Lightyear while Galyn Susman (Toy Story That Time Forgot short) serves as a producer.

What are YOUR thoughts on the first reactions to Lightyear? The Toy Story spinoff hits screens on June 17, 2022.