THE GREAT BEYOND

Back in 1995, Buzz Lightyear was the must-have plaything in Toy Story (and life imitated art when Buzz flew off toy-store shelves). But did you ever wonder about Buzz’s background? Lightyear director Angus MacLane certainly did. In Pixar’s latest feature, we’re introduced to the ‘real’ Buzz Lightyear, in a meta-movie that would’ve been Andy’s favourite film.

But don’t expect a Toy Story re-tread. Lightyear is pitched as a retro-inspired sci-fi adventure film, in the vein of the genre’s classics. The kind of film that would inspire obsessive devotion and an awesome toyline.

“My goal was not parody or satire, ” says MacLane. “I wanted the audience to have a feeling at the end of it, like, ‘Oh, I’ve gone on this fun space adventure.’” The film sees the Star Command Space Ranger on a mission on a hostile planet, T’Kani Prime. When the escape plan goes awry, Buzz and his team are stranded indefinitely, until they can create the hyperspeed fuel needed to escape.

Time slips away as Buzz begins to feel the effects of hyperspace travel. Oh, and a robot threat led by Zurg clouds the somewhat peaceful existence the crew have been