Despite how much I love the Toy Story movies, at the time I am writing this, I still have not seen 2022’s Lightyear. I don’t really have any specific reason for passing on the film (I was honestly never that bothered by Chris Evans replacing Tim Allen), other than the fact that I already had a spinoff movie about the Space Ranger growing up called Buzz Lightyear of Star Command: The Adventure Begins.
Released straight to video in 2000 and starring Allen reprising the title role, the feature is essentially the pilot for an animated series that lasted only a couple seasons, but is fondly remembered. Yet, at this time, neither the movie, nor the TV show, is available to stream with a Disney+ subscription, or anywhere else, which is why I had to revisit it the same way I first saw it: on VHS, which I happened to find at a thrift store recently.
So, how does Buzz Lightyear of Star Command: The Adventure Begins hold up for me 25 years later? Well enough that its obscure reputation today has me upset beyond infinity. Allow me to show you why…
classic Pixar movie that first introduced us to cocky, sentient cosmic action figure Buzz Lightyear in 1995 gave viewers mere hints at his adventures with Star Command before we met his archnemesis, Emperor Zurg, in 1999’s Toy Story 2, which some argue is a superior sequel. Just a year later, The Adventure Begins presented even more to know from his fictional backstory.
Almost right off the bat, the movie establishes Lightyear as a legend at Star Command, which boasts a pretty cool design that I honestly think would be cool to see brought to life in live-action. We also see plenty more of Zurg, who plots to spread evil across the universe by stealing the Uni-mind, a device that telepathically links the Little Green Men, who are given a little more personality than their rubber counterparts in the Toy Story movies.
great animated series and movies that really went for it when it came to showing heroes in peril. As an adult, I still appreciate animated titles that can satisfy that itch and I can tell you that Buzz Lightyear of Star Command: The Adventure Begins is certainly no exception.
I was very surprised by how excited I got just watching the film’s opening sequence, in which Lightyear is tasked with rescuing a trio of LGMs from Zurg’s lair and must dodge many a laser blast and fiery explosion in the process. The Space Ranger keeps even the most monotonous cosmic battles interesting with clever tricks, such as removing his laser-equipped cuff as it is still firing to distract Zurg’s lackey, Agent Z, and find better cover.
Tim Allen was OK with not being asked to star in Lightyear because he already reprised the role as the lead of The Adventure Begins. Joining the former Home Improvement actor as the voice of Mira Nova is famous MADtv star Nicole Sullivan (also known for voicing Shego on Kim Possible), comedian Larry Miller as XR, and Stephen Furst channeling his Animal House role as Flounder to play Booster.
Fellow former sitcom star and prolific voice actor Diedrich Bader plays Warp Darkmatter, Patrick Warburton (who would voice Lightyear in the subsequent animated series) plays the LGMs, and filling in for Pixar legend Andrew Stanton (who is co-directing the upcoming Toy Story 5) as Zurg is Seinfeld‘s Wayne Knight who previously voiced Al in Toy Story 2. However, the most epic addition to the cast has to be William Shatner, not as a character but performing a spoken word song called “To Infinity and Beyond,” that plays over the closing credits. That should give any curious Star Trek fans all the reason they need to check this movie out.
Well, if they do want to watch Buzz Lightyear of Star Command: The Adventure Begins, they’ll have to start searching the web or any local yard sales in hopes of finding a physical copy, until Disney decides to unearth it from the vault make it available to stream. Maybe by the time Toy Story 5 hits theaters next June (according to the upcoming 2026 movies schedule), there will be enough renewed interest to allow more people to see this vastly overlooked relic from an otherwise universally beloved Disney character’s legacy.