Disney & Pixar’s Lightyear (2022) Christian MOVIE REVIEW

Disney and Pixar’s 2022 animated release, Lightyear, is a science-fiction action/adventure movie featuring the beloved Buzz Lightyear character from the blockbuster Toy Story franchise. Well, sort of.

Lightyear is neither a sequel nor prequel to the Buzz Lightyear toy’s adventures in Toy Story and its sequels; instead, it’s framed as the movie that inspired the toy, a brilliant decision (a concept first introduced in the 2000 direct-to-video film Buzz Lightyear of Star Command: The Adventure Begins, in which Buzz and a team of quirky recruits fought the evil Emperor Zurg’s plan to conquer the galaxy). Lightyear follows the story of space ranger Buzz Lightyear (voiced by Chris Evans), who embarks on a mission to reverse a disastrous mistake that marooned his crew on a hostile planet. Buzz, obsessed with fixing the error, repeatedly time-travels in his efforts, advancing decades into the future, leaving his friends behind, and battling Emperor Zurg and his robot army.

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How Does Lightyear Compare to Other Disney and Pixar Movies?

Lightyear features Pixar’s usual animation excellence and imaginative world-building, rivaling films like WALL-E or Coco, but its storytelling has sparked mixed reviews. While the story is ambitious, it’s far less cohesive and lacks the emotional punch of classics such as Up, Inside Out, or the Toy Story franchise on which it’s based.

Though it grossed $226 million globally, it’s considered a financial flop, having lost the studio $106 million. The film’s global reception was hurt by being banned in numerous Muslim countries and getting resistance in parts of Asia due to a scene featuring a same-sex kiss between two female characters. It has, however, gotten good results after releasing on Disney+ in August 2022 (where it occupied the top spot on the platform for 35 days in a row) and becoming available on Ultra HD Blu-ray, DVD, and Blu-ray in September of that year.

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What Positive Messages Does Lightyear Convey?

Like the Toy Story movies, one of Lightyear’s emphases is the value of friendship and cooperation. Buzz starts out as a cocky, go-it-alone hero, determined to fix his mistakes. But his journey with Sox, Izzy, Mo, and Darby—a ragtag crew of misfits—forces him to rely on others. Sox, in particular, offers unwavering loyalty, showing the value of the acceptance and support of true friends. The film also explores loss and legacy through Buzz’s bond with his late commander, Alisha Hawthorne, whose life moves forward while he’s stuck in time loops. The film illustrates how relationships thrive on mutual trust, not solitary heroics, a good lesson for both kids and adults.

Another positive message in Lightyear is the importance of discovering a worthwhile purpose in life. Initially, Buzz defines his mission as returning his crew home, tying his worth to success. However, each failed attempt deepens his isolation until he realizes his obsession blinds him to the life unfolding around him. Eventually, he embraces a broader mission: protecting and building a future with his new team, instead of erasing the past. It’s a message of resilience and presence, encouraging viewers to find meaning in the journey, not just the destination.

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How Does Lightyear Compare to Biblical Teachings?

Lightyear’s themes of teamwork and cooperation certainly align with biblical principles, such as the wisdom of Ecclesiastes 4:9-10: “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow” (WEB). But, as we might expect from a Disney offering (and Hollywood products in general), faith in God plays no role in the story. The most alert and astute parents could find positive points of discussion with their children in the entertaining story and charming characters. And, of course, the inclusion of a brief same-sex kiss between Alisha and her “wife” will surprise and dismay those with traditional Christian views on sexuality and marriage.

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Is Lightyear Acceptable for Christian Families?

As seems to be the case in much of what Hollywood (and Disney, in particular) have to offer families these days, Lightyear avoids any hint of Christian faith while being sure to depict “alternative” lifestyle choices. Lightyear will entertain Christian families for much of its 105-minute run time, but parents will have to decide whether the fleeting same-sex kiss in the film’s otherwise innocuous action mitigates the story’s entertainment value. For that reason, some may hesitate, while others may see it as a minor detail in an otherwise inoffensive tale.

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Discover a More Appropriate Entertainment Platform for Children

Whether or not parents consider Lightyear to be appropriate viewing for their family, it may help that an entertainment platform exists that depicts childhood and adolescent struggles in ways that honor, reinforce, and instill biblical values. The TruPlay Games app–sometimes referred to as “the Netflix of Christian mobile games for children”–features games, videos, and digital comics videos starring animated characters at varying levels of spiritual growth and Christian commitment. The TruPlay app provides a safe, high-quality entertainment environment that offers countless hours of engaging fun for children, youth, and adults—a Christian resource for all ages, but especially for children,

TruPlay's website (TruPlayGames.com) clearly details the app's offerings, and free downloads and trials are available in both the Apple App Store and GooglePlay. Explore the following links to unlock a safer gaming experience for your kids:

https://www.truplaygames.com/games-more

https://www.truplaygames.com/user-registration

Christian Movie Review: Disney and Pixar’s Lightyear (2022) | TruPlay Parent’s Guide