In the century since their initial inception, animated films have come a long way to say the least. What used to be strictly two-dimensional pieced-together pieces of film that depicted a rather mundane story have evolved tremendously, in both format and plotlines. New-age technologies have allowed for the development of three-dimensional animated projects and storylines that serve as the foundation for entire franchises, making animated films their own largely successful genre in their own right. One of the most notable animated film franchises of recent decades has been Toy Story with a series of films concluding with 2019’s Toy Story 4 that has spanned multiple generations and continues to enthrall both children and adults to this day. Now that franchise’s first spin-off project is set to release soon with the latest trailer for Lightyear taking fans into a galaxy far, far away.
When Toy Story first premiered in 1995, moviegoers were catapulted into a world where toys could speak and govern themselves behind the backs of their owner. This led to some challenges along the way as well, but challenges they mitigated as a team. Among these toys was Buzz Lightyear, a former astronaut programmed to allow its owner to perceive they are playing beyond earthly limits but who he himself believed he was the true ranger of the frontier that is space. Now the certified space icon is set to get his own film in Lightyear, a project that will serve as the backstory of Buzz Lightyear and the journey he took before the events in Toy Story. In the new trailer for the project, reposted below, Buzz goes an intergalactic mission coupled with comedic undertones that are just in line with the project’s Toy Story roots that sees the esteemed astronaut take on quite a challenge that even seemingly includes a cameo from his arch-nemesis Zurg. Only time can tell if the latter is true though, with Lightyear set to debut in theaters on January 17th.
Animated films have probably evolved more than any other film genre, and Lightyear is enigmatic of that. Not only is it an animated film with a substantive plot, but a space epic in its own right that could serve as the foundation for further projects under the same or similar umbrellas. We will just have to find out when Lightyear premieres this June
