Lightyear Review

One of the earliest memories I have as a kid was watching the original Toy Story on VHS. Or listening to the book version on cassette tape. The bottom line is that Toy Story was a big part of my childhood, and at its heart were Sheriff Woody and Buzz Lightyear. Like most kids, I loved Woody and Buzz, but I think I liked Lightyear a little more.

Like many kids who dreamed of being astronauts, Buzz Lightyear seemed like the coolest as a kid. He was in video games, he had his own spin-off show; he was just awesome. So, when news came out that Pixar was making the actual movie that made Andy love Buzz, I was intrigued. Enough that I decided to see it two days early via the Andy Experience. Despite the review bombs, Lightyear manages to reach infinity…though not quite beyond.

Chris Evans Was a Good Fit. Change My Mind!

Firstly, it needs to be said that Chris Evans proved to be the best choice to voice Buzz. While fans complain about Tim Allen not coming back, Chris gives us a different kind of Buzz. While not as larger-than-life, Chris’ Lightyear is no less heroic. Early on, though, the film makes it clear that he’s not living up to his full potential.

Lightyear as a Flawed, Nuanced Character

Buzz Lightyear’s always been defined by his determination to finish his mission, no matter what version he is. However, the film reveals this determination comes at the cost of neglecting those around him. He thinks he can do things on his own, that he doesn’t need help, and that leads him to make mistakes that could be avoided. By the film’s halfway point, it costs him almost everyone he knew.

A hero’s only as good as the people helping them, and that’s essentially what Buzz learns in his character arc. It’s recycled from the cartoon’s pilot film, but it still works.

Good thing that Buzz’s team is pretty endearing. Sox is adorable and acts as this constant helping Buzz cope with his emotions. Izzy’s the one who really helps bring Buzz out of his emotional isolation. Darby makes for a good cynic. And Taika Watiti as Mo makes for good comic relief.

The character that proved to be just as interesting as Buzz, though, is Zurg. I can’t say too much about him without spoiling the big twist, but it was something that I did not expect. Good job, Pixar.

A Decent Flick for Toy Story Fans

So, the Lightyear movie isn’t anything groundbreaking, but it is still entertaining. It’s filled with callbacks and references to the Toy Story franchise, and does the character Justice. Pixar could make more films out of it if they wanted…but they probably shouldn’t. Or, at least make a movie finale to Woody’s Roundup.

I Give Lightyear 3.5/5

Amphibia Season 3, Episode 8A/8B Review

It seems like only yesterday that Amphibia kicked off its third and final season, and now we’re close to the halfway point and the inevitable hiatus. While the series continues to have one-off episodes, it’s likely that Matt’s team is saving the juicy stuff for the final half of the season. In addition, those one-off episodes can still give us character development and move the plot forward. Case in point, this week not only sees Hop Pop live out his dream, but it also gives Anne a lead on getting back to Amphibia. In other words, this episode’s both fun and important to the series.

Also, I would like to note that, in light of the events of Olivia & Yunan, the opening credits have changed. Instead of Marcy in a healing tank, we now have Marcy possessed by the Core, AKA Darcy, serving as the main antagonist alongside Andrias. It’s those little details that help the series grow.

Hollywood Hop Pop

When Anne takes the Plantar’s on a day trip to Hollywood, Hop Pop sees firsthand just how appreciated actor’s are on Earth. Or, as Anne accurately puts it, we treat actors “AS GODS!” Seeing yet another chance to fulfill his dream of being an actor, Hop Pop ends up getting into an audition for a commercial. In a neat callback to episode three (I discovered I lost the review), Hop Pop gets the role by uttering “the perfect sitcom catchphrase.”

The next thing anybody knows, Hop Pop becomes a celebrity about to get a part in an upcoming movie. Much like the last time, though, there are consequences, as Mr. X ends up seeing the commercial and is quick to get back on their trail, much to Anne’s concern. Thus, Hop Pop has a dilemma: risk his family’s safety for his dream, or give it up for them? He chooses his family.

I found Hop Pop’s continued aspirations of being an actor to be one of his most recognizable character traits. He’s someone who wanted to make it big but never got the chance, which a lot of older folk can relate to. Fortunately, Hop Pop finds a solution in the form of Humphrey Westwood, a human he looks exactly like who also aspires to be an actor. And someone played by Wallace Shawn, AKA the voice of Rex from Toy Story. Seeing Bill Farmer and Wallace Shawn, both acting legends, work together is a real treat for longtime Disney fans that I immensely enjoyed. Moreover, I liked seeing Hop Pop give Humphrey a chance to live their dream. It shows a lot of character development in and of itself. 

Also, I’m hoping that Mr. X doesn’t have a breakdown from being outwitted by the heroes too many times. That could be bad for everyone.

If You Give a Frog a Cookie

While the Plantar’s have adjusted to Earth-life pretty well, their desire to get home is starting to get them by this point. They even cope by making a model of Wartwood, which is both sad and impressive. Against her better judgment, Anne chooses to take them to meet an eccentric scientist that Dr. Jan thinks might have a lead on traveling back to Amphibia. Enter Dr. Frakes, voiced by Cree Summer, a mad scientist if there ever was one. She’s also the one who gives us our first big lead on getting back to Amphibia.

It’s revealed that on the night the Human trio opened the Calamity Box, it created a massive energy backlash that opened up a portal from Earth to Amphibia in Dr. Frakes lab. Thus, her Skipman got sucked over to Newtopia, the same Skipman that Anne found with the Curator. Now, she and her assistant, Terri, managed to replicate the process, albeit it’s very unstable and not locked to Amphibia. However, it’s’ the first real lead the gang’s had to get home.

Too bad that Dr. Frakes proves to have zero ethics, as when the Plantar’s end up losing their disguises, she doesn’t hesitate to try to dissect them. Interdimensional beings or not, I’m pretty sure dissecting a sentient being violates all ethics. Fortunately, Terri, played by Kate Miccuci, is everything that Frakes isn’t and sacrifices her job to help Anne save the Plantar’s. Despite Frakes’ threats of ensuring Terri will find work, it’s clear that Frakes’ word means nothing, with Terri saying she’ll get plenty of grant money to make her portal. Thus, the heroes finally have the means to get back to Amphibia.

Finally, the Means to Get Back to Amphibia

So, the first half of this week’s episode was the show’s team having fun and showing off what makes Hollywood what it is. On top of that, they also included callbacks to in-universe media the show’s covered over its run, including Suspicion Island and Tarantu-lad. I also liked the Water Tower on the studio lot, as clear a reference to Warner Bros as Disney can make. They can get away with it by saying its an Animaniacs reference, as that show airs on Hulu, and Disney owns a large portion of it.

The latter half of the episode gave us the real meat. After weeks of searching, Anne now has the means to get back to Amphibia. Granted, Terri has yet to make the portal, but that’s now a question of when rather than if. The final act of the series will likely see Anne return to Amphibia, and given the state it’s in, that couldn’t come fast enough.

Another thing to note is how heavy this season’s using celebrity guest actors, with Kate Micucci being the latest. I loved her as Webby in the reboot of DuckTales!, so hearing her voice again is a treat. Plus, helping Anne and the Plantar’s seems like something that Webby wouldn’t hesitate to do. Plus, even if something happens to the Calamity Box, this portal could be the means for Anne to return to Amphibia anytime she wants, meaning she won’t have to say goodbye to the Plantar’s!

However, we’re going to have to wait to see a return to Amphibia, as next week’s the Christmas special. Which, I should remind you, will include a song written by Rebecca Sugar. I am looking forward to that.

I Give “Hollywood Hop Pop” and “If You Give a Frog a Cookie” a 4/5 Each

Click here to see my other animation stuff

Stray Observations

• Again, we’ve got a reference to The Owl House

• One of the old men looks just like Master Roshi from the DragonBall Franchise

• It’s revealed that Anne carried over her developed taste for bugs back to Earth

Toy Story 4 Review

Mention the words “Toy Story” to a lot of millennial’s today, and they’ll probably respond with nothing but praise and affection; myself included. Watching Toy Story on VHS is one of my earliest childhood memories. I consider Toy Story 2 to be one of my all-time favorite movies. Plus it gave us this scene:

I never get tired of that. For all my love of Toy Story, though, I never saw Toy Story 3 in its entirety. I was too sad about it being the end to see it in theaters (note to self: watch it this summer). Then out of the blue, Pixar gave us another Toy Story film this summer. While experience has taught me that this could potentially be a shameless cash grab, I decided to give it the benefit of the doubt. It is Pixar, after all. After going to see the new Toy Story 4, I’m pleased to say that it is no cash grab.

Quick Plot 101

It’s been two years since Andy’s toys got adopted by Bonnie, and they’ve settled into their new lives pretty well. Woody’s being neglected by Bonnie for weeks now, something that bugs him more than he’d care to admit. When Bonnie comes home from her kindergarten orientation with Forky, a toy spork she made with trash, Woody takes it upon himself to look after Bonnie’s new favorite toy. As we see in the trailers, Forky doesn’t want to cooperate, leaving the two stranded while on a road trip. As Woody tries to get them home to Bonnie, he ends up running into his old sweetheart, Bo Peep, whose post-Andy life makes him reconsider his purpose as a toy.

Now that that’s out of the way let’s get to the meat of this review: what I loved, and what to nitpick.

The Spectacular

Forky Is our Spirit Toy

The Internet has spoken, and it adores Forky! The Toy Story 4 website describes him as the kind of toy that only a kid who spent twenty minutes making him would love. That’s accurate for the newest toy in Bonnie’s room. Of course, that’s Forky’s main problem: he’s not a toy, and he knows it. The other toys realize it, too, but they support him in his new life anyway. Forky wants nothing to do with them, though, and insists that he’s trash, and tries several times to throw himself out.

While annoying at first, Forky reveals his obsession with trash is because it’s his comfort zone. It’s what he remembers from before being a toy, and it’s warm and comforting to him. It’s like his security blanket, and he’s not ready to part with it.

At a crucial point in the film, Woody uses Forky’s love of trash to get through to him finally: he makes Bonnie happy the same way garbage makes him happy. Once that realization hits, Forky begins to embrace his life as a toy and his newfound purpose.

I can see why everyone loves Forky so much: he’s an insecure fish out of water that’s thrown out of his comfort zone, and that’s scary for most people. He tries to reject his new circumstances in life, but as time goes on, he learns to embrace them and starts forming an actual personality. He’s kind-hearted, naive, friendly to other toys, and has a mischievous streak that we can’t help but smile at. He also proves to be insightful, as he picks up that Woody hasn’t gotten over Andy.

Woody’s Character Growth

Remember how jealous Woody was of Buzz in the first film, and how much trouble that put the two of them in Toy Story? As if coming full circle, this film puts him in a very similar set of circumstances: his favorite toy status gets replaced by Forky. Thankfully, Woody takes it all in stride and tries to put Bonnie’s happiness over his own status. At least, that’s how it looks on the outside.

No matter how he denies it, two things become apparent. He’s upset at no longer fulfilling his purpose in life, and he misses Andy. So he attempts to cover up the fact that he misses Andy through his loyalty to Bonnie and protecting Forky, even when the other toys want to give up. This almost alienates him from the now childless Bo, who embraces the freedom of being a lost toy.

Woody’s always been unfailingly loyal to his child and his friends. It’s his biggest strength, but Toy Story 4 shows that it can be a weakness. He’s too loyal to Bonnie to accept that, maybe, she doesn’t need him anymore. The experiences that Woody has in the film, though, help to give him a new perspective on life. Serving as Forky’s mentor helps him move on from his past as Andy’s toy, and reuniting with Bo makes him realize that he could help a lot more kids and toys in the world.

The Less than Spectacular

I had to nitpick to find things about this movie that I didn’t like. I can’t help it, I love the franchise. In the end, this was the only major complaint that I could think up.

Franchise Veterans Get Neglected

As I was walking out of the theater after seeing the movie, a thought crossed my mind: I don’t remember seeing the Little Green Men. I didn’t even hear them say anything! Considering they’re some of the most popular characters in Toy Story, this was a disappointment. It also serves as a springboard for a problem I had with the film: it neglects the veteran cast members.

That’s right: the Potato Heads, Hamm, Rex, Slinky, Jessie, and Bullseye have little to no effect on the plot. They only say a few lines, but that’s about it. If this is the last film in the Toy Story franchise, then this will be the last time we may ever see a lot of these guys. To see the characters we loved growing up with being pushed aside was sad.

My Final Verdict

When Toy Story 3 came out, it felt like the proper end to the story that gave Pixar its big break. So when the studio announced Toy Story 4, we could be forgiven for worrying that it was a cash grab. Plenty of movie series got wrecked because people got greedy. Thank god Toy Story didn’t end up like that.

This movie may not have been necessary, but that doesn’t change the fact that we welcomed it anyway. Toy Story’s just that kind of story: simple yet oh, so elegant. The best part of it is that the kids who grew up watching the original are old enough to have kids of their own, and they’re taking them to see Pixar’s latest film. That inspires a new generation that will love the movies as much as we did.

I don’t think this is the last we’ll see of Woody, Buzz, or the others. I know that its’not the last we’ll see of Forky. In some form or another, Toy Story will continue. For now, though, I think this film ties the series up with a neat bow.

I give Toy Story 4 a 4.9/5. It’s Playtime.

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