Buzz Lightyear of Star Command: The Adventure Begins
Okay, fellow travellers through time and tape, let's rewind to the turn of the millennium. The world hadn't ended with Y2K, Toy Story 2 (1999) was still dazzling our eyeballs, and the action figure aisles were dominated by a certain Space Ranger. It was in this atmosphere, specifically August 8th, 2000, that something intriguing landed on video store shelves (and even briefly flickered in some international cinemas!): Buzz Lightyear of Star Command: The Adventure Begins. This wasn't Pixar's Buzz, not exactly. This was the "real" Buzz Lightyear, the square-jawed hero whose adventures supposedly inspired the toy we knew and loved. It was a fascinating premise, a direct-to-video gamble that served as the launchpad for the subsequent animated series.
### To Infinity... and TV Animation!
Right off the bat, the most striking thing is the shift in animation. Gone is the groundbreaking CGI of the Toy Story films, replaced by crisp, traditional 2D animation. Directed by Tad Stones, a Disney Television Animation veteran known for gems like Darkwing Duck and Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers, the visual style feels instantly familiar to anyone who grew up on the Disney Afternoon block. It’s clean, functional, and perfectly suited for serialized television adventures. While it obviously lacks the depth and texture of its cinematic big brothers, there’s a certain charm to seeing Buzz rendered in this classic style. It felt like discovering a Saturday morning cartoon you somehow missed, starring a character you already adored.
The story itself, penned by a team including Mark McCorkle and Bob Schooley (who would later create Kim Possible), cleverly establishes the world of Star Command. We find Buzz (Tim Allen, thankfully reprising his iconic voice role with gusto) as the celebrated, slightly egotistical lone wolf Ranger. After his partner Warp Darkmatter (voiced with delightful menace by Diedrich Bader) is lost and presumed dead in a confrontation with the Evil Emperor Zurg (Wayne Knight, stepping in for Andrew Stanton), Star Command regulations force Buzz to take on rookies. Enter the core team: the eager, oversized, and fanboyish Booster Munchapper (Stephen Furst), the cool-headed alien Princess Mira Nova (Nicole Sullivan, bringing a great mix of capability and exasperation), and the cynical but resourceful robot XR (Larry Miller, stealing scenes with dry wit).
### Building the Star Command Universe
What The Adventure Begins does remarkably well is flesh out the Star Command universe hinted at in Toy Story. We see the bustling star base, the diverse alien species, and, of course, the delightfully incompetent Evil Emperor Zurg. The plot revolves around Zurg stealing the Uni-Mind – a device linking the minds of the Little Green Men (voiced perfectly by Patrick Warburton) – intending to twist its collective consciousness for evil. It’s a classic space opera setup, filled with laser battles, daring escapes, and the forging of an unlikely team.
Seeing Tim Allen back as Buzz is a major draw. While the character here is less the comically deluded toy and more the straightforward, slightly arrogant hero, Allen’s voice work ensures that core Buzz-ness remains intact. The supporting cast is equally strong. Nicole Sullivan's Mira provides a necessary grounded counterpoint to Buzz's bravado, while Larry Miller's XR delivers some of the film's best lines. The dynamic between Buzz and his new team, particularly his initial reluctance to rely on them, forms the heart of the narrative.
### Retro Fun Facts & Behind the Blast Doors
Making a spin-off like this wasn't without its challenges. The decision to go with 2D animation was largely budgetary, as replicating Pixar's CGI for a TV series budget in 2000 was simply unfeasible. However, it also gave the show its own distinct visual identity. This movie essentially served as a 70-minute pilot, setting up the characters, villains, and scenarios for the 65 episodes that followed. It was a key part of Disney's strategy in the then-booming direct-to-video market, aiming to leverage the massive popularity of Toy Story.
Interestingly, while Tim Allen voiced Buzz for the movie, Patrick Warburton (who voiced the LGMs here) actually took over the Buzz voice role for the subsequent TV series, though Allen did return for a few guest spots. It’s one of those casting quirks that fans of the era might remember noticing. The film also playfully nods to its origins; the opening sequence even mimics the Toy Story 2 video game intro Buzz plays, further blurring the lines between the "real" Buzz and the toy.
### Still Ready for Adventure?
Watching Buzz Lightyear of Star Command: The Adventure Begins today is a pleasant trip down memory lane. It’s not high art, and it certainly doesn’t aim for the emotional complexity of the Pixar films. What it is, however, is a solidly entertaining, well-voiced, and affectionately crafted piece of space adventure fun. It successfully translated the appeal of Buzz Lightyear into a different medium, creating a likable supporting cast and a universe ripe for exploration. For kids who grew up loving Buzz, this felt like getting the keys to the kingdom – a whole world of his "real" adventures finally opened up. It captured that specific early 2000s energy of franchise expansion, where beloved characters started popping up in TV shows, video games, and direct-to-video features.
It might lack the polish of a theatrical release, and the plot treads familiar ground, but the execution is spirited. The humour lands, the action is engaging for its target audience, and the voice cast clearly had a blast. It successfully laid the groundwork for the TV series and provided a fun expansion of the Toy Story universe lore.
Rating: 7/10
Justification: While not reaching Pixar's heights, The Adventure Begins is a strong, enjoyable direct-to-video feature (and series pilot) that successfully translates Buzz Lightyear into a 2D animated world. Tim Allen's return, a great supporting cast, fun action, and solid world-building earn it points. It delivered exactly what it promised: Buzz Lightyear's space adventures, perfect for a Saturday morning vibe, even if you watched it on a Tuesday afternoon after school via your trusty VCR or nascent DVD player.
Final Thought: It may not have reached infinity, but Buzz Lightyear of Star Command: The Adventure Begins definitely took us on a fun detour beyond the toy shelf, proving there was plenty of galaxy left for Buzz to explore.