A Flawed Male Hero We Need (Disney Pixar's Lightyear review) (Spoiler-Free)

Buzz Lightyear is one of the most iconic characters in animation and a staple character within the Toy Story franchise. Fans were excited when Pixar decided to make a movie entirely focused on Buzz, The Space Ranger in a space opera-like feature. As anticipation rose, many countries including Malaysia were not going to be able to see it on the big screen after 3 years of Pixar skipping exclusive screenings. A month later, audiences can finally watch Lightyear for themselves. 

With a character that is as widely known as Buzz, fans of Toy Story will consider rewatching films beforehand. However, this is not a good idea. Buzz in this solo act is a different character entirely compared to the Buzz we grew used to as a toy. To remind you, Buzz is no longer a toy in this film, he is a character going through his own narrative and arc as a futuristic adventurer of the stars. Some people will find this frustrating, which is why it is imperative to at least try to leave behind the character we once knew. 

In this film, Buzz is a flawed man. He is heroic and does whatever a protagonist needs to do in order to gain his goal but not everything goes according to plan. His struggle here is trying to fix mistakes he cannot change, let alone should. Nonetheless, he aims to prove himself over and over again which leads him to not only experience life the way his colleagues had, but find himself in a situation that could lead him to a dark path, and eventually impending doom. What affirms his flaws is his will to be the savior carrying the world on his shoulders. This is a common trope most male figures have, and Buzz really portrays the hardship a man goes through when they have been taught that accepting help means you are not good enough when it is the exact opposite. 

The film is filled with characters that have flaws they are striving to fix when they do not need to. A perfect example is Izzy Hawthorne, granddaughter of Alicia Hawthorne, Buzz's mentor. Izzy is desperate to become a space ranger and have a connection with Buzz the way her grandmother did. Her will to live up to her family name is what ails her before finally letting herself (and Buzz) realize she is just as capable to do the things her grandmother achieved and maybe more. 

With these characters having such complexity, Lightyear is told in a mind-expanding yet simple story. It is not the space epic everyone will expect it to be as the narrative seems to be focusing on the character developments consistently. It forgets about the imagination it could have entailed in presenting a space adventure. It only feels like the theme was living up to its promises when the film reached its final act to reveal the big twist that might upset longtime Buzz Lightyear fans. In an overall sense, it is understandable why Lightyear isn't everyone's favorite Pixar feature but it does have inspiring messages that will remind you why Pixar has been successful all this time. 

With striking visuals and a complete yet unfulfilled story, Lightyear should be experienced on the big screen. It is very disappointing that a lot of moviegoers had to miss that experience for a less than 2-second LGBTQ+ kiss scene. Unlike most Pixar films, Lightyear did seem to have been aiming to please their adult audiences more so this time around which might have also hindered its potential at being yet another outstanding outing to the Pixar brand. Still, it is safe to say that Lightyear is a pretty good film and that people should have the chance to watch it at least once.