Lightyear and Luck: Pixar Versus Pixar in the Streaming Space
03 AUGUST 2022 - For modern animation fans, the rest of this week could be spent somewhere between the house John Lassiter built and the house he’s helping to build. A piece from CNET says Disney/Pixar’s Lightyear, the movie about the guy who was the basis of the Buzz Lightyear toy in the “Toy Story” series of films, hits Disney+ today. That one’s kind of got an uphill slog for a few reasons - first, it had a run in theaters six-weeks ago. The biggest buzz it might have generated (pardon the use of “buzz” there…) The biggest buzz it might have generated would probably have been then. It also hasn’t resonated with audiences the way other Pixar films have. While reviews and audience reactions haven’t been bad (75 with critics and 84 with audiences on Rotten Tomatoes), they’ve lacked a certain “oomph.” The critics blurb on Rotten Tomatoes says:
Lightyear settles for being a rather conventional origin story instead of reaching for the stars, but this gorgeously animated adventure ably accomplishes its mission of straightforward fun.
So, not bad, but not great. Similarly, the audience blurb says:
Even if it doesn't quite measure up to Toy Story, Lightyear offers an entertaining -- although somewhat complicated -- origin story for the beloved title character.
All of that said, the barrier to entry is practically gone now. If you’re a Disney+ subscriber (as tens of millions are at this point), Lightyear is ready for blastoff.
Apple Tries Its Luck
A more interesting film to watch, in some ways, will be Luck. The New York Times has run an article on the film, which is really an article on former Pixar exec and current head of Skydance Animation John Lasseter. The New York Times calls Luck, “The most Pixar movie of the summer…” this despite Lasseter being bounced from Pixar five-years ago, after some of his workplace behavior made some staffers feel “disrespected or uncomfortable.” While it would not be completely accurate to say that Lasseter was “cleared” of anything inappropriate, the report says “Skydance hired lawyers to scrutinize the allegations against Mr. Lasseter and privately concluded there was nothing egregious.”
From Apple’s side, all of this matters because the Cupertino-company has inked a deal with Skydance Animation for at least two-features and one animated series over the next couple of years - the first of which hits this week.
Needless to say, Lasseter is complimentary of the folks at Apple. The New York Times piece had him saying in a phone interview that - given Steve Jobs history with Pixar, working with Apple felt like part of him had come home. “I really like what Apple TV+ is doing,” said Lasseter:
It’s about quality, not quantity. And their marketing is just spectacular. It’s the best I’ve ever seen in all the movies I’ve made.
Of course, they’re also writing his checks currently, so… yeah.
As films like Luck go, Lasseter has been tops. The Times calling it the “most Pixar movie of the summer” is no small thing, especially considering Pixar actually made a movie this summer. I can’t help wondering though: Does being the most Pixar movie matter when you’re not Pixar? Pixar has always had Disney - first as a partner in the 1990s, then as owner once Steve Jobs sold the company to Disney in 2006. I keep thinking about Ron Johnson. The former head of Apple Retail has tried a few things since leaving the Cupertino-company, none of which have met with success. Personally, I think he’s brilliant, but things haven’t clicked for him professionally post-Apple. Apple Retail likely would not have become what it became without him, and vice versa.
John Lasseter may have made the most Pixar movie of the summer. Can such a movie make a Pixar-sized dent without Pixar? It’ll try - starting this weekend. Luck hits Apple TV+ this Friday 5 August.
