BUZZ LIGHTYEAR OF STAR COMMAND: THE ADVENTURE BEGINS (original) (raw)

BUZZ LIGHTYEAR OF STAR COMMAND: THE ADVENTURE BEGINS

Walt Disney Home Video, for ages 4 and older, approximately 70 minutes, $24.99

If you’re looking for another installment of the “Toy Story” film series, Disney’s new direct-to-video feature is not for you. “Buzz Lightyear of Star Command: The Adventure Begins” introduces an assortment of characters that young viewers will soon see on a new Saturday morning TV cartoon series.

Buzz, voiced by Tim Allen, and his archenemy, Emperor Zurg, are familiar from the two outstanding “Toy Story” movies. New characters include Space Ranger cadets Mira Nova, a princess with special powers from the planet Tangeah; Booster, a big bumbling janitor-creature-turned-Space Ranger; and robot XR, for Experimental Ranger.

A computer-animated introduction features Buzz, Woody, Jessie, Rex and the rest of Andy’s toys from “Toy Story.” They insert Buzz’s new video into the VCR and the computer animation turns to cartoon. The gist of the story is that Zurg wants to take control of the universe. He and his henchmen have invaded the planet of the Little Green Men (the three-eyed alien squeak toys from “Toy Story”) in an effort to capture the “Unimind” that makes them act as one.

Parents will enjoy the video once, while young fans will probably want to see it again and again. It offers the action of an animated “Star Trek,” plot twists and some witty humor only adults will catch.

Parents of smaller children may want to note that there is a lot of laser firing and explosions. But none of this is new to any Saturday morning cartoon viewers.

Originally Published: August 24, 2000 at 4:00 a.m.