Buzz Lightyear of Star Command: The Adventure Begins MPAA Rating: G Entertainment: +3 Content: +2

Building on the success of TOY STORY and TOY STORY II, Disney and Pixar Animation introduce a new wrinkle in the tale of the toys. Buzz Lightyear (voiced by Tim Allen) gets his own video show. The computer-generated characters of TOY STORY eagerly gather to watch Lightyears TV show about his adventures in Star Command. The video then transitions into the traditionally animated cartoon where Buzz and his partner, Warp Darkmatter (voiced by Dietrich Bader) are out to rescue some missing Little Green Men (LGM) from the Evil Emperor Zurg (Wayne Knight). Zurg wants the secret of the LGMs mind link so he can join everyones mind in the universe and turn them evil, including the Space Rangers of Star Command. But Warp apparently dies in the rescue. Although he vows never to put another partners life in jeopardy, Buzz is given XR (Larry Miller), an experimental robot, to join him on his mission to protect the LGMs thought linking Uni-mind orb. But when Zurg and his new Agent Z steal the orb, its up to new ranger Mira Nova (Nicole Sullivan) and janitor/ranger trainee Booster (Stephen Furst) to back up Buzz and XR as they go after Zurg and the Uni-mind.

Just as in TOY STORY, Buzz comes across as egotistical, since he was first in his space academy class. But hes also soft-hearted as he worries about the safety of others, especially after the loss of his partner, Darkmatter. However, the story sends mixed messages as it tries to cover a wide range of audience appeal. Buzz is loyal to Star Command regulations, but argues with his commander about a partner. He also chides Mira about breaking rules, but is forced to admit he planned to break them as well. Female fans get a strong character in Mira as she nearly equals Buzz in skill and has a few special powers of her own. But they find they have to work together to defeat Zurgs plans. The major complaint with the video is the frequent battles shown with Zurgs robots and alien monsters. Lasers fly, robots explode, XR is smashed for a demonstration, then rebuilt. With the current sensitivity to portrayed violence in the media, Buzz and company may go a little overboard, although human targets usually survive. Disney plans to launch the Star Command heroes on ABC Saturday morning line-up and, with a warning about the space battles, this video can be recommended.

Preview Reviewer: Paul Bicking
Distributor: Buena Vista, 350 S. Buena Vista St., Burbank CA 91521