Review of Buzz Lightyear of Star Command: The Adventure Begins

'To infinity and beyond'! When we first heard those words, from misguide astronaut toy in Disney's 1995 film 'Toy Story', we were hooked, in learning more about Buzz Lightyear (Voiced by Tim Allen). We got more information about his backstory in 1999's 'Toy Story 2', where Disney and Pixar studios, introduce on the first on-screen appearance of his arch-enemy, the Evil Emperor Zurg (Voiced by Wayne Knight). From there, Disney wanted to create more content. Thus, 'Buzz Lightyear of Star Command: The Adventure Begins' was born. Unlike, the 'Toy Story' series, which is grounded in a world, where toys come to life. This movie is set in alternate fictional world where Buzz Lightyear isn't an action figure, but a real-life space ranger out to defend the whole galaxy from the forces of evil with the help of his team, Mira Nova (Voiced by Nicole Sullivan), Booster (Voiced by Stephen Furst) & XR (Voiced by Larry Miller). Without spoiling the spin-off direct to video movie, too much, the film also acts as a television pilot to a television show, they wanted to create, call 'Buzz Lightyear of Star Command'. Because of this choice, it allows a boundless amount of adventures for the Disney writers to explore in other episodes. Sadly, for this pilot, many of the audience felt like the plot was too generic. While, I have to agree with them, with the whole idea of Buzz Lightyear refusing a new partner after the death of the last one, then learning to accept help, does seem clichés. It was still, somewhat interesting. I like how it all work out in the end, with his team forming to stop Evil Emperor Zurg trying to stealing a telepathic orb in order to control the galaxy. However, there is certain points of inconsistency, during the action scenes, throughout the film. First off, the rocks falling on the monster scene would had buried Zurg's hidden outpost, even more. Yet, somehow, the area was clear. Then, there is certain points of inconsistency of how much damage, the space ranger laser can afflict. Sometimes, it can destroy certain buildings; other times, it just bounce off. The violence factor is minimal pure television PG nonsense cartoon violence, at best. It's really hard to take threats like death serious, when characters can take direct laser hits, yet somehow, able to survive, while robots soldiers just blow up. It doesn't really help make the 'death scene' in the beginning, believable. Plus, they kinda ruin the twist ending, with all the foreshadowing. While, the action and story need to be polish; the comedy does not. The film has the right amount of humor mixed with serious moments to make the film, work. Although this video is made mainly for the kids, the humor isn't all silly simplistic slapstick, silly voices, and dumb characters. Some of the jokes are pretty clever. Such in the case of them, making fun of the exposition exterior & interior text box, film clichés or scenes where character break the fourth wall. There were even some funny inside jokes that only adults might only get, such as a robot, XR (Voiced by Larry Miller) reads a Victoria's Circuit catalogue or Buzz being arouse by Nova's 'ghosting' powers. I also dig the couple of Easter eggs, the movie fit in, like the magic lamp from 1992's 'Aladdin' or the giant crawl from 'Toy Story'. I also love, how great, all of the characters were. The characters have nice personalities, & all of these actors give commendable performances as their characters. Who knew that Patrick Warburton was doing the voice of the Little Green Men or Adam Corolla as Commander Nebula!? I didn't! In my opinion, the only voice-actor that seem a bit off, was Jim Hanks replacing Tom Hanks as Woody in the beginning. He doesn't have the same high spirit loud energy that Tom is putting into his performance. Another great thing about this movie is the music. Adam Berry is the composer to this film and I must say that he did a great job creating a main theme for our beloved Pixar character. The tune is very memorable. Also there is some good music cameo with William Shatner providing a rendition of his 'Rocket Man' theme over the end credits. While, many people might hate that the film and series wasn't all computer animation. I thought, that the traditional cel-based animation techniques by Walt Disney Television Animation works best, as it gives us, a different feel, from the Pixar's counterpart. Plus, the television budget computer-animated shows at the time, weren't that great. For the most part, I was pleasantly pleased on how surprising good, this film's animation turn out. Sadly, like several other Disney animation pilot movies, the pilot was later edited into three episodes of the television show, with the Pixar's animation opening "Andy's Room" sequence being removed and Tim Allen's voice being replaced by Patrick Warburton. Even the William Shatner's song was cut. While, I can live without the Pixar's 'Toy Story' prologue as it doesn't serve much, than taking me out of the believable of the movie, the other two, make this film harder to watch if aired on television. Thus, it's very important for fans of this movie to get the original VHS or DVD copy of this film, than waiting for Disney to take this film, out of their vault. In the end, while the whole video might be campy. It's also a blast. That in itself is worth a viewing. Overall: I highly recommended seeing.