Lightyear – A Backstory Before A Toy Story

It is time once again to hold our hopes for Buzz Lightyear’s origin as high as the stars as I come in peace. The official trailer has been related to boost its potential up even further [7] [14] [19] [22], although there is some resentment towards its concept due to how some of us probably preferred the Toy Story franchise to be left as a trilogy after the mostly positive reception of Toy Story 4 back in 2019 whilst seeking a completely original idea for a new Pixar movie [35], much like how the Ice Age franchise could have retired after the release of Ice Age: Collision Course [1] [4]. Growing up sure seems like a beast in Turning Red [21] [23], but at least there appears to be no sign of fierce death metal vocals anywhere [15]. Other than that, there seems to be nothing preventing Pixar from producing fresh ideas for new films in a proactive manner, as well as some spin-offs of already existing franchises that can hold some potential on their own accords. Moreover, I have nothing against establishing the concept of an origin for Buzz Lightyear [30] [40] [40]. Strap in and save your five shots for trouble ahead, cadets [9]!

Once again, “Starman” by David Bowie is an excellent choice for the trailer [7] [19], considering this film is centred around Buzz becoming a captain from Star Command. [14] [22]

As previously mentioned in our previous analysis [39] [40], the visuals of this forthcoming adventure are unmistakably and almost legendarily outstanding [7] [14] [19] [22]. Surely, many of us would have preferred the live-action remake of Lion King from 2019 to feature the characters looking more like their animated counterparts from 1992 [16]. Furthermore, the way the gritty realism of the environments is combined with the cartoony physical structures of the characters in the trailers for Lightyear captures that specific desire of bringing cartoon characters to a realistic world outstandingly [7] [14] [19] [22], quite like in Detective Pikachu and Sonic the Hedgehog’s live-action movies [6] [27]. I fondly remember the sculpts of the human characters, including Andy and his mother being greatly improved while comparing them from the first Toy Story film and Toy Story 3 [32] [34]. Of course, what enhances the aesthetics even further is the lively animation with characters moving realistically and very good effects, such as mighty red beams being shot from Buzz’s laser [7] [14] [19] [22]. Lastly, there are a quite lot of examples of great lighting effects. It sure would cost lots and lots to see a concept from a sketch brought into amazingly animated action, but as always, it is undeniably worth it.

The colour palette when Mr. Lightyear activates hyperdrive is rather mesmerising, even though the effect is a little too flashy for me. [14] [22]

Meow! The cute cat we previously saw in the teaser trailer is named “Sox”, which is quite a quirky name for a pet [7] [14] [19] [22]. He can talk and he is robotic, which is sure to cute things up at times. His character appears to be a mixture of Baymax from Big Hero 6, Clank from the Ratchet & Clank series and a bit of Dug from Up [2] [25] [38]. His overall design somewhat reminds me of the stuffed cat from Catz 5 and Dogz 5 [36] [37]. As an expansion on his very brief appearance in the teaser trailer [18] [39] [40], Sox appears to be a new sidekick for Buzz, already full of potential to be an effective one within a supporting role due to his well-manned nature and sophisticated speech, as well as a witty moment when he freaks out a bit during a flight, but will this increase paranoia of the events of Buzz Lightyear Of Star Command no longer being considered canon [29] [39] [40]? I bet Princess Mira Nova would love a sidekick like that, leading to a sudden revival of the Disney Palace Pet series featuring her with Sox and Merida from Brave with her own pet that might as well be a bear cub [3] [31].

The adorableness! My one weakness!! Looks like you got a new friend in you, Buzz. [14] [22]

I am quite shocked to see a robotic figure that strongly resembles Emperor Zurg, especially by the look of a highly familiar trio of canons grouped together as one [7] [14] [19] [23]. This could mean that not only is this film centred around Buzz’s origin but his arch-nemesis possibly before he became an emperor. Strangely enough, his weapon is in his left hand [7] [14] [19] [22], even though it was in his right hand in Toy Story 2 [24] [33]. Nonetheless, that difference is no big deal to me as he can be considered ambidextrous. Nonetheless, that difference is no big deal to me as he can be considered ambidextrous. In all honesty, it may be rather clichéd if there was some backstory of how he used to be a good guy, but there can be some way for it to be highly effective and somewhat memorable for a brand new expansion on his character. Can you imagine Rex playing a prequel to the video game he was playing at the beginning of Toy Story 2 [35]? I strongly believe a younger and inexperienced Buzz will gradually change into a capable, hard-nosed space ranger will lie within the storyline [7] [14] [19] [22], no matter how brutally Zurg killed his father [33].

However…is THIS Buzz’s father [33]?! Any DNA results? Not today, seemingly younger Zurg! [14] [22]

There is a lot more action and peril going on this in the new trailer [7] [14] [19] [22]. Not only does this provide some further development for Buzz and his teammates but increase the faithfulness to the intense action a space ranger would encounter whilst on duty. No reference to my username on Twitter intended. Looking closely at the amount of peril that brings out those Star Wars vibes without a single lightsaber [26], I am suspecting that its intensity will cause the film to be rated PG. Nevertheless, I do not doubt that Mr. Lightyear will survive the dangers that await him on his journey to fulfil his destiny. After all, the film will be about his origin and it is understandable if he cannot always defend himself in this specific time period as shown by how he was grabbed by some tentacle plant thing [7] [14] [18] [19] [22]. But still, his actions when preparing to take off make him seem more than ready to evolve into the Buzz we have admired since 1995 [32], very much like how a younger Lara Croft eventually hardened into a survivor throughout a traumatic experience in the reboot of the Tomb Raider franchise [28].

To balance out some deep character growth and mild galactic violence, there ought to be some more humourous moments too besides that guy being grabbed by a tentacle plant creature and then reminding him of how much dependence is on him [7] [19]. How about some outtake during the credits [33]? [14] [22]

Knowing the difference between a concept that is pretty unnecessary and a concept that is completely terrible, I believe this is something my significant other and I can blast off this June with after we speed up with Sonic the Hedgehog and Miles “Tails” Prower this April [17]. I can still imagine Andy as a child being infatuated with a toy line based on Buzz Lightyear’s origin or at least analysing some aspects of it for an assignment as a college student [18] [32] [35]. Not only is Sox adorable with high potential but Emperor Zurg’s backstory ought to be quite intriguing too [7] [14] [19] [22]. When it comes to being a Disney desirer in 2022, I guess we still ought to not talk about Bruno [10]. And when it comes to animated films and inspection of overall quality, perhaps the Ice Age franchise ought to finally be put to rest after the mediocre reception of The Ice Age Adventures Of Buck Wild on Disney+ [5]. But then again, maybe not. It is almost Valentine’s Day, fellow Pixar fans, so be sure to activate your Spanish mode, especially if your significant other is considered the sheriff of your own Wild Wild West [34] [35]. Adios, amigos!

To infinity…and beyond. [8] [20]

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