Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		5.0
Audio		3.5
Extras		2.5
Overall		3.5

Lightyear Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Martin Liebman September 4, 2022

Lightyear underperformed at the box office, and there has been much handwringing over the reason(s) why. Was it due to holdover fears of the Covid pandemic? Did frustrated audiences accustomed to seeing the latest Pixar films (Soul, Luca, Turning Red) on Disney+ reject the idea of returning to see the film projected on the big screen? Was it confusion about what, exactly, Lightyear was about? Where is Woody? Where is Tim Allen? Did audiences choose not to see the film based on the controversial same-sex kiss? Whatever the reason the film wasn't the box office blast off Disney and Pixar obviously hoped it would be, and while there are many avenues for blame, perhaps the most obvious is this: Lightyear is just a very mediocre movie, especially within the Pixar brand.

Space Rangers Buzz Lightyear (voiced by Chris Evans) and Alisha Hawthorne (voiced by Uzo Aduba) find their mission interrupted when their vessel is diverted to the planet T'Kani Prime in order to investigate signs of life. They become stranded on world. As the crew settles in, a small settlement becomes a fairly large technological undertaking that includes plans for Buzz to test pilot a new hyperspace technology that, if successful, could be used to bring the colonists home. The test is a failure, but what was a brief four-minute mission for Buzz lasted four years on the planet. As Buzz continues to test pilot refined hyperspace crystals, he continues to experience the same effect: he ages naturally while others (to him) age at an accelerated rate. Soon, he finds himself decades into the future and battling an invading robot army alongside Alisha's granddaughter, Izzy (voiced by Keke Palmer).

In an effort to reach some connective tissue back to the original Toy Story, a note at film's start suggests that this is the movie that inspired Andy to want a Buzz Lightyear action figure for his birthday. Apparently, computer generated animation was really good back then in this alternate universe because the best thing about Lightyear is its aesthetic composition. The film is unquestionably cutting edge, visually. It's beautiful, even though there's a somewhat coarse and gruff look to it. If nothing else, viewers will sit in awe of the film's technical construction and marvel at just how far things have come since Buzz Lightyear first appeared on the screen now pushing 30 years ago.

The movie is otherwise a fairly straightforward and bland one. There are some good ideas in play, but time manipulation has long been a staple of the Sci-Fi world; Lost in Space comes to mind as a movie that followed a somewhat similar storyline (others age while the Robinsons remain about the same) and, of course, Star Trek has toyed with this concept on a few occasions. It works well enough here, but the film is also very narratively sterile and stale otherwise, pushing predictable buttons and failing to really spark the imagination with its narrative developments. Wholly serviceable, well voiced (even in Allen's absence), and even exciting in spots is just not enough to overcome the film's disappointingly flat story trajectory that stalls even when it should be traveling at, well, light speed.

Lightyear Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The 1080p image is simply spectacular. As expected the picture is breathtaking; it's practically photorealistic and arguably the most lifelike and complex digitally created animated film ever made. That translates incredibly well to 1080p where viewers will be privy to every digital detail on the alien landscape and on the various worn and weathered costumes and support elements throughout the film. There is a very tangible textural layer to the film; it's dimensional without going 3-D and it's tactile practically through the screen. Color reproduction is excellent, stretching form superbly deep blacks to crisp whites and all of the boldness and accuracy to follow in the full color spectrum. The picture is pure and authentic without source or encode flaws. This is a wonderous 1080p transfer from Disney.

Lightyear Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

On Blu-ray, Lightyear includes a DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 lossless soundtrack (the companion UHD includes a Dolby Atmos track). Unfortunately, this is a typical Disney track that lacks real oomph; the takeoff emergency in the beginning of the film just has no sense of power or depth or sonic excitement about it. Surround content, general clarity, and well-engineered detail are certainly present, but the track offers next to no sense of power, potency, or lifelike oomph and engagement. What a shame because the scene, and several more throughout the film, should be of reference quality. The same characteristics can be ascribed to the blast-off at the 12-minute mark and, well, pretty much every would-be major audio cue in the film. As noted, at least general clarity and surround usages are solid, but at reference volume the track is flat and hushed and at any volume the absence of necessary low-end extension is obvious. Dialogue is suitably clear and well prioritized from its natural front-center position.

Lightyear Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

This Blu-ray release of Lightyear includes three featurettes, a few deleted scenes, and an audio commentary track. A DVD copy of the film and a Movies Anywhere digital copy code are included with purchase.

• Building the World of Lightyear (1080p, 14:29): Exploring the in-depth process of designing the alien landscapes in the film, including original vision and nitty-gritty construction details. It also looks at human city design, the technology seen in the film, Star Wars inspiration, spacecraft modeling, costume design, and more.
• The Zap Patrol (1080p, 9:08): Looking in detail at several of the film's peculiar support characters, including character design and background construction, voice work, role in the film, and more.
• Toyetic (1080p, 10:00): Exploring why the film lends itself well to toy merchandise, the use of LEGO toys to visualize concepts for the film, Director Angus MacLane's involvement in the toy line, and more.
• Deleted Scenes (1080p, 26:49 total runtime): Included are, following a deleted scenes Introduction, The Dump, Polly, Meet Izzy, Up in the Lair, Tilted Ship, and Fathership.
• Audio Commentary: Director Angus MacLane is joined by Director of Photography Jeremy Lasky and Writer Jason Headley explore the film in detail.

Lightyear Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Lightyear should have had a lot going for it: a beloved fan-favorite character in his own movie, big budget cutting-edge CGI at its disposal, and opportunity for some cool Sci-Fi content. Unfortunately, the film just never gels; it's generic but not always to a fault. There's enough to enjoy here to warrant a watch, but the film is doubtful to leave a legacy like its predecessors. Disney's Blu-ray delivers superb video, typical Disney audio, and a smattering of extras. Worth a look.