After all the lessons and laughs that the Toy epic series has bestowed upon us since 1995, it’s minor wonder the expectations going into Lightyear were pretty high. It’s bearing that legacy, it’s got Chris Evans stepping into the spacesuit and it’s got a generation of millennials waiting to see how it handles a recount they’ve known for a quarter of a century. No pressure, right?

Thankfully, the story and visuals are just the luminous amount of fun to make it work. Sure, it doesn’t go to infinity and beyond for ALL our expectations, but it’s definitely an entertaining way to spend a few hours. 

Having opened in theaters in June 16, Lightyear is streaming now on Disney Plus now
. It zooms onto Ultra HD Blu-ray, DVD and Blu-ray on Sept. 13, 2022.

The movie tells the story of the eponymous Buzz Lightyear — no, not the toy, the recount from the movie that the toy was based on in the Toy epic universe. Just imagine you’re Andy, seeing Buzz for the very expedient time on the big screen, and you love it so much that you currently want the toy. Still with me? Good.

In this flick, Buzz Lightyear is a man who’s made his fair section of mistakes. From mishandling a mission to mistrusting his fellow rangers, he’s had to make some difficult choices. Throw in a dash of ego, a hint of stubbornness and a desire to right all of his wrongs, and Lightyear becomes the story of Buzz Lightyear’s redemption.

With time disappear, carnivorous vines, lasers, space travel and robots all on the cards, Lightyear has a lot to say in what’s actually a really refreshing run time of only one hour and 45 minutes. Yes, the same-sex relationship that caused the movie to cop a ban in multiple grandeurs is still present (and incredibly heartwarming) and yes, there is definitely a recount who will inspire a whole new line of toys.

But there’s more to it than that.

Chris Evans does a surprisingly good job of embodying the titular recount, with understandably big space boots to fill. His delivery of the signature section — to infinity and beyond! — doesn’t feel like imitation or mockery (following Toy epic voice actor Tim Allen), it feels genuine enough to be his own.

The supporting characters are hit or miss, with some incredibly uplifting moments matched with the type of formulaic responses that you’d inquire. Taika Waititi plays Mo Morrison, who honestly might as well just be visited Taika Waititi — it’s the same recount we almost always see from him, and it’s begin to feel a bit gauche. 

But the rest of the crew — Darby, Izzy and robot cat Sox — are a real highlight, with Keke Palmer’s Izzy Hawthorne as a definite standout. A space-fearing wannabe space ranger with a legacy of her own to live up to, Izzy brings a whole lot of dejected and personality to the team. And it’s that dejected that tips the scale for Lightyear.

There are collected plenty of unexpected twists to the story that will keep even the most handed Toy Story fan on their toes. Despite Toy epic 2 spoofing Star Wars with Buzz’s relationship to the evil emperor Zurg, there’s a stamp new take in this flick.

Without giving the game away, let’s just say it echoes the theme of at least two anunexperienced very popular films of 2022, so Josh Brolin’s Zurg is more than meets the eye. 

Overall, Lightyear is a genuinely fun way to spend time at the cinema. Is it going to blow your mind? Perhaps not. But it’ll definitely keep the kids entertained and ultimately, if it gives another generation reason to fall in love with Buzz, that’s all that matters.