Is Lightyear safe for kids? Is Lightyear OK for children? In the newest Disney•Pixar animated movie before the Toy Story movies, read the Lightyear Movie Review | Safe for Kids?, an honest parents guide to the all new 2022 Toy Story prequel sequel film starring Chris Evans as Buzz Lightyear. #Lightyear May contain commissioned links.
Lightyear Movie Review | Safe for Kids? Parents Guide
To infinity, and before?
Captain America trading in his shield for a space helmet, I’ll admit that this prequel sequel had me at Chris Evans. But after a few Toy Story movie sequel blunders (Toy Story 3 is still the best Pixar sequel ever – fight me on this), skeptical Toy Story fans are wondering if Buzz Lightyear’s origin story is one that transcends time and space – and is one worthy of space exploration.
Is Lightyear safe for kids? In this Lightyear Movie Review | Safe for Kids? Parents Guide, I’m talking visuals, the story, a full PG rating parents guide breakdown for violence/suspense, language and adult themes, and sharing whether this Toy Story prequel sequel film is the summer flick for families to see this summer. A no spoiler parent review – is Lightyear kid friendly? What child age is recommended to watch Lightyear?
Or should we have left the Toy Story franchise a long, long, time ago in a galaxy far away?
The Visuals
Only Pixar can make animated space look this fantastical – and make the prequel look better than the sequel. From the hyper-speed vibes (Star Trek and Star Wars would be jealous) to the perfect clef in Buzz’s chin, Pixar has brought animation into 2022 with exceptional color, vibrancy, sharpness and CGI technology – bringing our beloved Lightyear hero to life in this uniquely Disney•Pixar film. Quite the stark contrast from the Pixar animation of 1995 Toy Story, wouldn’t you say?
The Story
Chris Evans (“Captain America“) takes over as the captain and voice of Buzz Lightyear on an action adventure mission to find a way back home through space and time along with his robot cat Sox played by Peter Sohn (“Luca“), his ambitious gang of recruits (Izzy Hawthorne voiced by Keke Palmer, (“The Proud Family“), Taika Waititi (“Thor: Ragnarok“) as Mo Morrison and Dale Soules (“Orange Is the New Black“) as Darby Steel) and best friend/commander Alisha Hawthorne voiced by Uzo Aduba (“My Little Pony: The Movie“). Directed by Angus MacLane (“Finding Dory” and “Toy Story Toons: Small Fry“), this science fiction inspired Pixar film tells the story of young astronaut Buzz Lightyear.
The Buzz Lightyear origin story that occurs “before Toy Story” in the Pixar timeline, Lightyear is the movie that eventually hooks Andy into investing in years of Space Ranger toy adventures. An intergalactic adventure beyond infinity, Lightyear is a movie that inspires space travel, research, leadership, bravery, and ambition in this original storyline, along with life lessons of trust, friendship, family and what life’s “real” mission is that families and kids can relate to – in the only way that Pixar can tell.
Be prepared for Pixar and Toy Story Easter Eggs, cameos, and possible Pixar tears. Be sure to stay for the THREE end credit scenes: one mid credit scene, one end credit scene and one after the end credit scene.
Lightyear PG Rating Explained
Is Lightyear safe for kids? It’s no secret that I am highly skeptical of all MPAA ratings. And as we know, not all PG ratings are the same. As a parent, it’s been rather heartbreaking to witness how movie ratings have shifted over the years with G-rated movies a thing of the past. (I think Toy Story 4 was the last G-rated Pixar film!).
With film ratings unpredictable these days, even PG ratings oscillating between Turning Red intense to Christopher Robin calm, there’s a wide range between the age of 0-12 years old for parents to consider. Having fully disclosed parent guidelines can help determine if a movie is family friendly – and safe for the whole family to watch together this summer.
Why is Lightyear rated PG? In this Lightyear Movie Review| Safe for Kids, this Toy Story prequel sequel film has a PG age rating for “action, peril.” Is Lightyear safe for kids? Is Lightyear too scary for kids? Should parents be worried about taking their kids to see a questionable PG rated Buzz Lightyear movie? Let’s breakdown that MPAA rating for parents in this Lightyear Parents Guide.
Violence. As expected, this Space Ranger film includes use of hand-to-hand combat, guns, swords, lasers, and tranquilizer darts. Mild cuts are seen on characters, and alien creatures are injured to reveal cartoonish and brightly colored guts/blood.
Everything violence, action and peril wise is kept within the Disney Pixar realm though, nothing too suspenseful or gory for kids. And no real jump scares to worry about. Lightyear is very comparable to the first The Incredibles film as far as violence and suspense.
Language. Thankfully Pixar keeps Lightyear in the same film collection as the Toy Story movies. No bad language, swear words or questionable phrases of note in this Pixar prequel, making this Disney Pixar film one of the most family friendly releases as of late, per MPAA language guidelines. Lightyear proves once again that you can have a successful Disney Pixar film without bad language.
Adult Themes. However, if you haven’t heard already, there is a notable theme in Lightyear that refers to a same sex couple. Making a clear statement on same sex love, relationships and families, while the theme lasts only mere seconds in the film, the impact is poignant. This includes multiple stages of life and visuals of physical affection including light kissing. Be prepared for possible questions from children who have not been exposed to same sex relationships.
Other adult themes include open conversations about prison and prisoners including words like “incarceration,” “convict,” and “parole,” and dealing with inferred themes of grief, loss and death.
Lightyear Age Rating for Kids
At a runtime of 1 hour 45 minutes, Lightyear appears to be on the slightly lengthy side for a Disney•Pixar animated movie. But with lots of action and adventure, funny one liners, Pixar and Toy Story Easter Eggs, there’s plenty of Disney Pixar animated magic to keep little kids into this Space Ranger story. As a stand alone movie, you don’t need to have seen the original Toy Story films in order to appreciate this Buzz Lightyear feature film. It truly is a one-of-a-kind prequel sequel.
I am so thankful to see that the new animated Lightyear film doesn’t veer off course from the original feel of the original Toy Story films. While G-rated movies are now a thing of the past, this Lightyear prequel still has that familiar Toy Story vibe, falling into the “rated G” Toy Story movie collection that hardcore fans and families will appreciate in this summer 2022 film.
Lightyear, Disney Pixar’s Toy Story prequel sequel animated film has a PG age rating for “action, peril” by the 2023 MPAA. 
Based on my Lightyear parents guide and mom review above, this parent movie reviewer would not recommend Lightyear to kids younger than the age of 4-5 years old.
Considering the full PG rating breakdown above, this parent movie reviewer would not recommend Lightyear to kids younger than the age of 4-5 years old. This is purely for the wiggle worm in a movie theater factor. I highly recommend parents prescreening the Disney•Pixar Lightyear prequel film for the mild suspense/peril scenes that may be too intense for sensitive children.
Despite the concern on movie length, this Toy Story prequel is actually a pleasant surprise for families. With enough action, adventure, life lessons and new characters to keep little kids interested, humor and nostalgia for adults, and bridging the generational gap for all Toy Story fans, Lightyear is the family friendly summer movie flick that Disney•Pixar fans have been anxiously waiting for.
The Overall
Finally, a prequel that lives up to the hype…hyperspeed that is. Buzz Lightyear to the rescue, yet again. Reaching deep into the heart and foundation of Pixar movies, the storytelling, the emotion, and human relatability are on point for this prequel sequel, making Lightyear the Toy Story inspired movie I didn’t know that I wanted for a summer flick.
Hope restored at a press of a launch button, Lightyear falls with style, making you fall in love with this one-of-a-kind Space Ranger all over again in this heartwarming prequel sequel. An instant classic Buzz. And unlike other not-as-successful Toy Story sequels, this was a “mission complete” story worth telling. And shockingly, it was the cat droid I was looking for. Certainly knocked my Sox off.
Welcome back, Pixar.
Grab your FREE Lightyear Coloring Sheets and Kids Activities!
Follow Lightyear movie on social:
- Website: https://movies.disney.com/lightyear
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PixarsLightyear/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/PixarsLightyear
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pixarslightyear/
- #Lightyear
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Blast off with Disney•Pixar’s Lightyear movie, only in theaters starting Friday June 17, 2022. Will your family be watching this epic Toy Story prequel film?
I was invited to a special movie screening in exchange for this Lightyear Movie Review | Safe for Kids? Parents Guide to the new Toy Story prequel film. All photos courtesy of Disney•Pixar. Be sure to follow Raising Whasians for more movie updates, celebrity interviews, entertainment and behind-the-scenes info!
Andrew Procter says
Thank you! This was very helpful and enlightening. However, I do have to disagree with your statement that Toy Story 3 is the best pixar sequel. That honor should go to Cars 2.
Jordan says
Is Planes a sequel? That film was fire too
Cj says
I feel your reviews hit high notes for what to look out for concerning parents.great details!
Regardless of stance, I feel the only conswhen it comes to the adult themes, esp LGBTQ+ , to highlight your decision on the AGE.
As Lightyear & Strange World both have these elements yet i feel its a copy paste decision on age. 8 would be more appropriate, which isn’t quite PG or PG13
Jordan says
Thank you for taking time for these helpful reviews. Kids under 12 can digest mommy’s and daddy’s, but same sex romance opens kids up to questions, as you mentioned, as well as sexualization in general. If you need to tiptoe around this that’s your call. I like the review. I think this ‘poignant’ scene prevents me from showing it to kids, especially in our current harmful ‘sexualize and pride the kids’ culture where they need protection from groomers..