I’m supposed to watch Pixar’s “Lightyear” on Monday morning. I had somewhat muted optimism for the film, I usually do these days with Pixar, but now that it’s been screened for a select few, red flags have entered the fray.
The reactions that have come out for “Lightyear” are not that positive, at least from critics we can trust. For example, Disney can at least always count on resident quote whore Erik Davis to tweet out something positive:
Pixar’s #Lightyear is a BLAST & a half! Big, exciting, emotional & goofy sci-fi that’s got STAR WARS vibes and even BILL & TED’S EXCELLENT ADVENTURE vibes. Truly, it is fantastical storytelling at its absolute best. Loved every second - top tier Pixar for me. BIG recommend!”
However, for the most part, the overall consensus from critics isn’t good. I don’t think Pixar really cares, “Lightyear” will still make boatloads of cash when it is released next week:
“LIGHTYEAR is the first Pixar movie since the start of the pandemic to premiere in theaters, and the first Pixar movie since the start of the pandemic to feel like it only belongs on Disney Plus.” — David Ehrlich, IndieWire
“LIGHTYEAR is probably the simplest, most straightforward movie Pixar has made. Don't expect Best Picture worthy emotions/drama. It's a fun, stunningly animated space adventure for the whole family. Plenty of action, cute characters, and at least ONE story turn that I loved” — Kevin Lee
“Surprised to discover that #Lightyear is Pixar’s safest movie of recent memory. Underdeveloped villain, lackluster supporting cast, I was left a little disappointed. Keke Palmer barely gets a chance to shine. This was Pixar’s chance to go bold, but instead they went by the book.” — Aaron Fraggle
“Lightyear is gorgeous to look at and yes, Sox steals the show but are we really going to ignore the fact that this movie makes no freaking sense whatsoever? If this is the movie that made Andy love Buzz Lightyear why did none of these other characters exist as toys?” — Scott Menzel
“LIGHTYEAR is generally pleasing but too stuck in the past to justify its existence. Chris Evans brings new depth to Buzz & Sox is a hilarious sidekick character. The fast paced action, humor & lovable characters are all here but a middling story makes this an average Pixar effort” — Matt Neglia
“I thought #LIGHTYEAR was fine — not great, but fine. It didn’t go “to infinity and beyond” & it didn’t reach the brilliant & clever heights of the “TOY STORY” movies. I was underwhelmed, but it’s sweet, fun & entertaining, which is all you can ask for in a movie these days!” — Scott Mantz
“What’s funny about LIGHTYEAR is, in three sentences to begin the movie, it clarifies what the movie is actually about better than the whole last year of marketing. “In 1995 Andy got a toy. The toy was from his favorite movie. This is that movie.”” — Mike Ryan
Fact of the matter is that Pixar hasn’t released a masterpiece in over a decade, to the point where my expectations these days are for something akin to the good-not-great quality of “Coco” and “Soul,” two of the better films they have released these past 10 years.
“Lightyear” is a prequel to “Toy Story,” concentrating on “ambitious” astronaut Buzz Lightyear. An origin story that was was not needed, but, much like most Pixar’s these days, it’s a cash grab.