The First Reactions To Pixar's 'Lightyear' Are Here

The social media embargo for Disney and Pixar’s Lightyear has just lifted. That means that thoughts and opinions of the film from critics and other entertainment journalists are just starting to pour in.

Check out what some of our peers are already saying about the highly anticipated sequel below!

#Lightyear is an incredibly solid entry in the world of Toy Story. It’s visually stunning, action-packed, hilarious and nails the aesthetic of an 80s/90s sci-fi feature. Chris Evans dissolves into the character of Buzz and while Allen is missed, Evans delivers in every regard… pic.twitter.com/vzU9qbekup
— Cinefied.com @ Tribeca (@cinefiedcom) June 9, 2022

Adored #Lightyear, which manages to thread several needles (hard sci-fi, time travel, loving homage to the entire “Toy Story” franchise) successfully without breaking a sweat. It’s insane that it works at all; that it works so well is a titanic achievement. What a ride. 🚀 pic.twitter.com/hGZFNt1OkD
— Drew Taylor (@DrewTailored) June 9, 2022

#Lightyear exceeded my expectations. A solid script and smart casting ensure Buzz's story delivers – esp. Sox, the scene-stealing cat. Likely the family film of the summer, it tugs at the heartstrings, serves up laughs and thrills, and leaves you feeling good. Expect a sequel! pic.twitter.com/zEDW6uOTMg
— Simon Thompson (@ShowbizSimon) June 9, 2022

#Lightyear is a lot of fun. There is a clunky transition in the 2nd act, but once the movie finds its footing again, it's good. An excellent space adventure that deals with letting go, & living in the present. Not the most impactful #Pixar movie, but still great. I want a #Sox. pic.twitter.com/0qhQiELTtE
— Kaitlyn Booth (@katiesmovies) June 9, 2022

#Lightyear is the family adventure the summer movie season has been missing. Moves at light speed & is riddled w/ that famous Pixar complexity. @ChrisEvans is a charming lead, but his sidekick is the scene-stealer. Left w/ the biggest smile. What more can you ask for? @TheDirect pic.twitter.com/DFlMZ1iorU
— Liam Crowley (@LiamTCrowley) June 9, 2022

While I found the script a little uneven, #Lightyear is a good time.

Sox (Peter Sohn) will be everyone's new favorite character and Keke Palmer is excellent.

Full review next week
— Ricky Valero (@rickyvalero_) June 9, 2022

#Lightyear is out of this world fantastic! A fun & heartfelt film that revived my childhood nostalgia while taking me on a new epic sci-fi journey. @ChrisEvans does a great job taking over the mantle as #BuzzLightyear & #Sox is my fave Pixar character & completely stole the show pic.twitter.com/tNtwZCdepi
— Sharronda Williams (@payorwait) June 9, 2022

Enjoyed exploring the in film personality & conflicts of Buzz & seeing how it helped better define & texturize the Buzz we know in Toy Story. But ultimately I think #Lightyear suffers the same issues as Monster’s University; fun but ultimately forgettable. pic.twitter.com/0Rle5EIfz7
— Griffin Schiller (@griffschiller) June 9, 2022

#Lightyear will go down as one of the biggest surprises from Pixar. I loved it! A highly entertaining film about the importance of working together rather than doing everything by yourself. Hints of Star Trek, Interstellar, The Martian, and that god old Pixar magic throughout. pic.twitter.com/vWlkcrpxOf
— Ryan McQuade (@ryanmcquade77) June 9, 2022

I thought #LIGHTYEAR was fine — not great, but fine. It didn’t go “to infinity and beyond” & it didn’t reach the brilliant & clever heights of the “TOY STORY” movies. I was underwhelmed, but it’s sweet, fun & entertaining, which is all you can ask for in a movie these days! pic.twitter.com/bKjZIS7Weq
— Scott Mantz (@MovieMantz) June 9, 2022

#Lightyear exceeds all expectations for me & truly goes to infinity & Beyond… an emotional thrilling space Epic that is a true marvel to see in IMAX. The animation is stunning but each space sequence was truly out of this world! I adored this film & need more from Star Command. pic.twitter.com/YS77sz5ZUJ
— Zach Pope (@popetheking) June 9, 2022

#Lightyear is a pleasant surprise! At its core it’s an adventure driven trust & team building exercise. But like every Disney/Pixar movie, it’s full of emotions & laughter. #ChrisEvans was good as the “real” Buzz Lightyear, but Sox the Robot Cat is who truly shines. pic.twitter.com/UzjK2XoF1m
— Rafy Mediavilla 🇵🇷 (@Rmediavilla) June 9, 2022

#Lightyear: Sox is EVERYTHING. I love Sox SO MUCH. Sox is one of the best characters Pixar has ever created. That’s it. That’s my Lightyear reaction. I am obsessed. pic.twitter.com/QfHkx4Hqh7
— Perri Nemiroff (@PNemiroff) June 9, 2022

#Lightyear is Pixar’s true dive into sci-fi – and it’s a blast!

More high-concept than I expected, but this film is packed full of non-stop, brilliantly animated action. It may be Pixar’s most visually stunning film yet.

This is an exciting adventure your family will love. pic.twitter.com/LgrPVp2K2U
— Daniel Howat (@howatdk) June 9, 2022

Pixar’s #Lightyear is a BLAST & a half! Big, exciting, emotional & goofy sci-fi that’s got STAR WARS vibes and even BILL & TED’S EXCELLENT ADVENTURE vibes. Truly, it is fantastical storytelling at its absolute best. Loved every second – top tier Pixar for me. BIG recommend! pic.twitter.com/DObE9dledy
— Erik Davis (@ErikDavis) June 9, 2022

Full reviews will be released next week.

READ: 19 Years Later – What Andrew Stanton’s ‘Finding Nemo’ Means to Me…

A sci-fi action-adventure and the definitive origin story of Buzz Lightyear, the hero who inspired the toy, Lightyear follows the legendary Space Ranger after he’s marooned on a hostile planet 4.2 million light-years from Earth alongside his commander and their crew. As Buzz tries to find a way back home through space and time, he’s joined by a group of ambitious recruits and his charming robot companion cat, Sox. Complicating matters and threatening the mission is the arrival of Zurg, an imposing presence with an army of ruthless robots and a mysterious agenda.

The film features the voices of Chris Evans as accomplished Space Ranger Buzz Lightyear, Uzo Aduba as his commander and best friend Alisha Hawthorne, and Peter Sohn as Sox. Keke Palmer, Taika Waititi, and Dale Soules lend their voices to the Junior Zap Patrol’s Izzy Hawthorne, Mo Morrison, and Darby Steel, respectively, and James Brolin can be heard as the enigmatic Zurg. The voice cast also includes Mary McDonald-Lewis as onboard computer I.V.A.N., Isiah Whitlock Jr. as Commander Burnside, Efren Ramirez as Airman Diaz, and Keira Hairston as Young Izzy. Directed by Angus MacLane (co-director Finding Dory), produced by Galyn Susman (Toy Story That Time Forgot), and featuring a score by award-winning composer Michael Giacchino (The Batman, Up), Disney and Pixar’s Lightyear opens only in theaters on June 17, 2022.