Content Warning: This article contains spoilers for Pixar’s Lightyear.
Pixar’s latest film, Toy Story franchise, each of them with their unique quirks.
Lightyear blends aspects of comedy and drama well. The movie sticks to its themes but does so in a family-friendly and enjoyable way. This is seen both through physical gags and carefully chosen dialogue meant to initiate laughter, joy, or sometimes even a feeling of somberness in viewers.
Buzz Lightyear
“Her grandma saw something in me, so I started looking for it too.”
This line is given when he and his crew are taking a break to recharge. Buzz speaks about his time at the space academy. He its that he almost quit because he doubted his capabilities, but Alisha convinced him to stay and they became an amazing space ranger duo.
Buzz Lightyear is the space ranger who was first introduced as a toy in Toy Story. Lightyear takes the beloved character and gives him his own tale, largely based on his coming to with a big mistake he made at the beginning of the film. Buzz has several fantastic lines in Lightyear, with many being taken directly from the Toy Story films. This quote, however, is shared in a moment of reflection and explains his behavior up to this scene. The line also serves an inspirational purpose for viewers because it encourages them to follow their ions despite fear of failure or self-doubt.
Alisha Hawthorne
“I miss being out among the stars, all the adventures, but more than that, I missed you.”
During one of Buzz’s space journeys, Alisha es away, but not before leaving a message for her old partner. She says goodbye to Buzz and expresses her gratitude and love for him.
Alisha Hawthorne, one of the most likable Lightyear characters, is Buzz’s partner and the Commander of the ship. She is an intelligent and courageous woman who isn’t afraid to be herself. She is highly regarded in her title and accepted for who she is. This quote is heart-wrenching. The message behind this line and the movie is one of lost time. Buzz was gone most of Alisha’s life because he was dwelling on and trying to fix a mistake he made. He could have spent that time cherishing every moment with his partner. It says a lot that more than her wild adventures, she missed the person she had gone on them with.
Sox
“My mission is to help you and I’m not giving up on my mission.”
When Buzz returns from his first hyper-speed test, Sox welcomes him back. Buzz is reluctant at first to accept Sox’s help, but the cat is persistent and utters this beautiful line, showing his commitment to the space ranger.
Sox is easily the breakout character of this movie and one of the most likable Pixar animal characters. He is a robot cat who exists to help and care for Buzz when he needs it. Sox has many hilarious lines. From his sound effects that go “Be boop, be boop” to his reaction after ing the hyper-speed test, this cat is the comic relief fans adore. Throughout the whole movie, Buzz is dead set on completing his mission of getting the crew back home, and he doesn’t accept help from anyone to do so. When Buzz argues against receiving the AI’s help, Sox brings the discussion to Buzz’s level, using language he can relate to.
Izzy Hawthorne
“You don’t need to save us. You need to us.”
The gang gets stuck in a room and they’re trying to escape. Of course, Buzz takes matters into his own hands to save the group, but in doing so, he isolates himself. Izzy here is letting Buzz know that they work better as a team, and his presence is needed to successfully execute her plan.
Izzy is Alisha’s granddaughter. She is training to be a space ranger just like her grandma. When Zurg’s robots show up, she assumes the leadership position of the junior space ranger crew. Izzy struggles to live up to her grandmother’s legacy. She doubts herself just as Buzz doubted himself in the Academy. Izzy doesn’t realize her strength and knowledge, but just like her grandma, her wisdom changes Buzz for the better and saves the day many times. This line is just one example of her leadership ability.
Mo Morrison
“I’m gonna be blunt here, I wish that hadn’t happened.”
The crew finds themselves in a predicament where being discreet is necessary for their survival. Unfortunately, Mo isn’t so great at being discreet and he causes a ruckus at the worst possible time. Mo expresses his apologies and says this line.
Mo Morrison is one of the crew Buzz meets when he returns to Earth after reaching hyperspeed. Mo was about to quit the program when Zurg’s robots invaded the planet. Viewers find it difficult to keep a straight face when Mo speaks, as he is easily one of the funniest Pixar characters. The majority of his dialogue is comedic, and Taika Waititi pulls off every single line, including this one. His clumsiness is very relatable and his response to the situation comes across as though he’s humiliated and regrets his actions, but he realizes there’s nothing he can do about it now.
Darby Steel
“Just do whatever feels right… I’m gonna dance with Mr. Boom!”
The crew is in a spaceship, waiting for an important update to finish. Zurg’s robots find the gang and they come at the ship with all their force. Mo and Darby take it upon themselves to fight back. Mo doesn’t know what to do, but Darby is immediately enamored with a gun labeled “Boom.” She says this line to Mo with a thrill in her voice.
Darby Steel is an older woman who takes part in the junior space ranger program as a way to serve time following her failed attempt at stealing a ship. Darby is an interesting character with chaotic tendencies. She craves excitement and high stakes. When she is first introduced, she follows the rules as best as she can, careful not to handle weapons as it would be breaking her parole. By the end of the film, she‘s creating explosives and using weapons left and right. This line is hilarious, but it also perfectly exemplifies the character’s personality.
Zurg
“This is a new now that’s never been lived.”
In a villainous twist, Zurg is revealed to be none other than an older, alternate version of Buzz. This is different from the character in Toy Story 2, which reveals Zurg is Buzz’s father. When Zurg reveals himself to Buzz, he speaks this line with awe in his voice, ecstatic that his time travel antics altered reality as he once knew it.
In Lightyear, Zurg is the version of Buzz who dedicated his entire life to escaping the planet, so much so that he has become apathetic to the needs and desires of others. This is his best quote, not because of his intent behind it, but because of the poetics of the line and the inspiration it may bring to viewers. As far as what is known, time travel does not exist in this world, so it is accurate to say that the present has never been lived. Zurg says this line with the past in mind, eager to change it and create a better now. What he should have been focusing on is the now and how he could use his strengths to shape the future.
