Regardless of how a lot I really like the Toy Story motion pictures, on the time I’m penning this, I nonetheless haven’t seen 2022’s Lightyear. I don’t actually have any particular motive for passing on the movie (I used to be truthfully by no means that bothered by Chris Evans changing Tim Allen), aside from the truth that I already had a by-product film concerning the House Ranger rising up referred to as Buzz Lightyear of Star Command: The Journey Begins.
Launched straight to video in 2000 and starring Allen reprising the title position, the characteristic is basically the pilot for an animated sequence that lasted solely a pair seasons, however is fondly remembered. But, right now, neither the film, nor the TV present, is obtainable to stream with a Disney+ subscription, or wherever else, which is why I needed to revisit it the identical manner I first noticed it: on VHS, which I occurred to search out at a thrift retailer just lately.
So, how does Buzz Lightyear of Star Command: The Journey Begins maintain up for me 25 years later? Nicely sufficient that its obscure popularity as we speak has me upset past infinity. Permit me to indicate you why…
The Film Expands On Buzz Lightyear Lore In Fascinating Methods
The basic Pixar film that first launched us to cocky, sentient cosmic motion determine Buzz Lightyear in 1995 gave viewers mere hints at his adventures with Star Command earlier than we met his archnemesis, Emperor Zurg, in 1999’s Toy Story 2, which some argue is a superior sequel. Only a 12 months later, The Journey Begins offered much more to know from his fictional backstory.
Nearly proper off the bat, the film establishes Lightyear as a legend at Star Command, which boasts a reasonably cool design that I truthfully suppose could be cool to see delivered to life in live-action. We additionally see a lot extra of Zurg, who plots to unfold evil throughout the universe by stealing the Uni-mind, a tool that telepathically hyperlinks the Little Inexperienced Males, who’re given slightly extra persona than their rubber counterparts within the Toy Story motion pictures.
The Motion Is Genuinely Enjoyable And Thrilling
For way back to I can keep in mind, I’ve been an motion junkie and grew up loving nice animated sequence and flicks that basically went for it when it got here to exhibiting heroes in peril. As an grownup, I nonetheless admire animated titles that may fulfill that itch and I can inform you that Buzz Lightyear of Star Command: The Journey Begins is actually no exception.
I used to be very stunned by how excited I obtained simply watching the movie’s opening sequence, through which Lightyear is tasked with rescuing a trio of LGMs from Zurg’s lair and should dodge many a laser blast and fiery explosion within the course of. The House Ranger retains even probably the most monotonous cosmic battles fascinating with intelligent tips, resembling eradicating his laser-equipped cuff as it’s nonetheless firing to distract Zurg’s lackey, Agent Z, and discover higher cowl.
The Film Is Not Afraid To Get Darkish
The opening scene not solely establishes what enjoyable thrills are in retailer but additionally proves that this animated film is not only for youths by incorporating some darker materials grown-up sci-fi followers can latch on to.
As an example, Lightyear finds the three lacking LGMs being held in a tank that an onscreen caption identifies as Zurg’s Torture Chamber, which is a reputation I doubt Disney would approve for a present focused towards kids as of late. Later, in the identical scene, Lightyear loses his longtime good friend and accomplice, the awesomely named Warp Darkmatter, in a tragic explosion that motivates an enticing story arc through which he vows to by no means once more let anybody die on his watch and refuses to take a brand new accomplice.
Talking of onscreen captions, The Journey Begins makes use of them fairly a bit, however not simply to ascertain location. They add in some hilariously cheeky commentary (resembling one showing in entrance of a violent scene that describes the LGMs’ planet as “Below assault” earlier than including “Clearly”), which lends splendidly to the film’s frequent bouts of sci-fi Saturday morning cartoon parody.
The film even units up its comedic self-awareness within the opening sequence, which takes locations in Andy’s room. Buzz, Woody, and the remainder of the toys collect collectively to observe this exact same movie, and even have Andy’s inexperienced military motion figures deliver within the VHS tape for them. It truthfully will get funnier from there, particularly when the supporting characters are introduced in.
The Film Introduces Many Enjoyable New Characters
The star is clearly the eponymous House Ranger. Nonetheless, this characteristic is absolutely an ensemble piece that makes nice use of authentic characters, resembling Mira Nova – a princess who turns into impressed by Lightyear to affix Star Command, the place she makes nice use of her phasing skills – and Lightyear’s aforementioned one-time accomplice, Warp Darkmatter.
One of many funnier characters is a pleasant, purple, heavy-set alien named Booster, who works as a custodian at Star Command, however is inspired by Lightyear to observe his aspirations to be a House Ranger, ultimately main him to assist out in a time of want. Additionally serving up continuous comedian reduction is XR, a fast-talking robotic constructed particularly so Lightyear can have a non-mortal accomplice.
The Voice Solid Is High Notch
Maybe Tim Allen was OK with not being requested to star in Lightyear as a result of he already reprised the position because the lead of The Journey Begins. Becoming a member of the previous Dwelling Enchancment actor because the voice of Mira Nova is known MADtv star Nicole Sullivan (additionally identified for voicing Shego on Kim Attainable), comic Larry Miller as XR, and Stephen Furst channeling his Animal Home position as Flounder to play Booster.
Fellow former sitcom star and prolific voice actor Diedrich Bader performs Warp Darkmatter, Patrick Warburton (who would voice Lightyear within the subsequent animated sequence) performs the LGMs, and filling in for Pixar legend Andrew Stanton (who’s co-directing the upcoming Toy Story 5) as Zurg is Seinfeld‘s Wayne Knight who beforehand voiced Al in Toy Story 2. Nonetheless, probably the most epic addition to the solid needs to be William Shatner, not as a personality however performing a spoken phrase track referred to as “To Infinity and Past,” that performs over the closing credit. That ought to give any curious Star Trek followers all the explanation they should examine this film out.
Nicely, in the event that they do wish to watch Buzz Lightyear of Star Command: The Journey Begins, they’ll have to start out looking the net or any native yard gross sales in hopes of discovering a bodily copy, till Disney decides to unearth it from the vault make it obtainable to stream. Possibly by the point Toy Story 5 hits theaters subsequent June (in line with the upcoming 2026 motion pictures schedule), there can be sufficient renewed curiosity to permit extra individuals to see this vastly neglected relic from an in any other case universally beloved Disney character’s legacy.