Lightyear – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Lightyear

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2022

62%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Buzz Lightyear's origin story: decent space adventure, but honestly? Kids would rather watch Toy Story again.

6.1/10

74%

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Lightyear

movie

PG, 2022

62%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Buzz Lightyear's origin story: decent space adventure, but honestly? Kids would rather watch Toy Story again.

6.1

74%

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6.1/10

74%

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Screenwise Verdict

Here's the thing: Lightyear is fine. It's competently made, has decent messages, and won't rot anyone's brain. But it's also weirdly unnecessary and kind of... bland? The ratings tell the story—74% critic score, 6.1 on IMDb, and a pretty meh 2.8 on Letterboxd. This is mid-tier Pixar at best.

The controversy around the same-sex kiss is honestly overblown—it's a married couple saying goodbye, totally age-appropriate, and if your family is cool with LGBTQ+ representation (which, in 2025, should be everyone), it's a non-issue.

The real issue is that kids just don't seem to love it. They wanted Toy Story Buzz, not serious space ranger Buzz. The time-loop concept is clever but emotionally heavy. Sox the cat is great, but one cute sidekick doesn't carry a movie.

Bottom line: If your kid is obsessed with space or Toy Story, sure, throw it on Disney+. But don't expect it to become a rewatched favorite. There are better Pixar options and better space adventures out there.

Age Fit

Best for ages 6-12. Common Sense Media's age 6 recommendation feels right—younger kids may find it slow or scary, older kids may find it underwhelming. Adults can watch but won't be blown away.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Pixar's Buzz Lightyear origin story delivers solid emotional beats around friendship, perseverance, and learning from mistakes. Features a same-sex relationship (brief kiss scene) that some families celebrated and others found unnecessary, but it's handled matter-of-factly. Pacing is generally balanced though some younger kids may find the time-loop concept and heavier themes less engaging than typical Pixar fare. Models cooperation and sacrifice without being preachy.

Imaginative

Space exploration premise offers visual creativity with alien worlds, futuristic tech, and time-dilation concepts. However, the execution feels more derivative than groundbreaking—it's competent sci-fi adventure but lacks the inventive spark of Pixar's best work. The robot cat Sox provides some creative charm, but overall this feels like a by-the-numbers space movie rather than something that truly ignites curiosity or invites kids to build their own stories afterward.

Safe

Rated PG with Common Sense Media suggesting age 6+. Contains action sequences with laser battles and alien creatures that may be intense for very young viewers, but no gore, graphic violence, or inappropriate content. The brief same-sex kiss is contextually appropriate (married couple saying goodbye) but did generate controversy. Some peril and mild sci-fi scares. Overall predictably safe for the target demographic with no surprise disturbing elements.

Enriching

Explores themes of obsession, learning to accept help, and the cost of single-minded determination. The time-dilation concept (Buzz ages slowly while friends age quickly) offers a teachable physics moment. Emotional growth arc is present but somewhat formulaic. Representation of diverse characters including LGBTQ+ family is normalizing. However, the film doesn't reach the philosophical or emotional depth of Pixar's best—it entertains adequately but doesn't leave kids (or adults) with profound insights or lasting questions.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Solid themes about teamwork, accepting imperfection, and learning that you can't do everything alone
Sox the robot cat is genuinely delightful and steals every scene
Time-dilation plot device offers a real science concept to discuss with curious kids
Normalizes LGBTQ+ families without making it a 'thing'—just shows a married couple living their life
Visually polished with impressive space sequences

⚠

What to Watch For

The brief same-sex kiss sparked boycotts and bans in some countries—know your own family values, but it's literally a 2-second goodbye peck
Action sequences with laser battles and alien threats may be too intense for sensitive kids under 6
The emotional weight of watching friends age while Buzz stays young might confuse or sadden younger viewers
Honestly? It's just kind of forgettable—kids may be bored compared to flashier animated options

Conversation Starters

"Buzz kept trying to finish his mission alone—have you ever had a problem that got easier when you asked for help?"
"The time-travel stuff is wild—if you went on a space trip and came back to find your friends were way older, how would that feel?"
"Sox was programmed to help Buzz—if you could design a robot pet, what would it do?"
"Buzz made a lot of mistakes but kept trying—when's a time you messed up but learned something important?"

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