Despite our thoughts to the contrary, the general LIGHTYEAR reception in the cultural zeitgeist was decidedly less than stellar. Still, we enjoyed the film a whole bunch and now it’s available now to bring home digitally and on physical release. We received a complimentary copy for review and are happy to share a peek of how you can go to infinity and beyond…

As always, bonus features may vary by product and retailer but here’s a look at what we had available. The meat of the extras here are a deconstructed behind-the-scenes movie magic deep dive. In total this is over a half an hour of goodies.

The first, longest, and most expansive piece is Building the World of Lightyear which covers the gamut of bringing this piece to life. With input from crew (including director Angus MacLane and producer Galyn Susman) and plus Chris Evans) we learn about everything from how fudge biscuits laid the groundwork for the world to the kit-bashing and visual development that helped shape its look. There’s also some great looks from research visits to the Johnson Space Center in Houston to understand the gadgetry and mechanics of being a true space ranger.

Taika Waititi, Keke Palmer, and Dale Soules are assembled with filmmakers to discuss the The Zap Patrol. Over the 10 minute special, we learn more about Izzy, Mo and Darby who make up the the untrained, unprepared rangers seen in the film.

While story is obviously at the heart of Disney’s most successful stories, it’s also no surprise that the pictures are developed to be very… Toyetic. This 10 minute piece talks about how a toy inspiring a real world (which would then inspire new toys) was developed. With homages back to Star Wars and toys from the 1970s and 1980s we learn about how LEGO bricks came to inform a lot of the design language for the ships and tech. Plus lots of Angus playing with toys. Truly living the dream!

We haven’t enjoyed this one yet but the Lightyear Filmmaker Commentary included here features director Angus MacLane along with writer Jason Headley, and director of photography Jeremy Lasky to give a deeper dive into the impressive world.

Deleted Scenes are a pre-requisite, of course. Here’s the full list available with descriptions courtesy of Disney.

• Deleted Scenes Introduction – Director Angus MacLane introduces six scenes that are all drawn, set to music, timed and voiced, but are not included in the final version of this amazing film – which took five and a half years to make!
• The Dump – In one of LIGHTYEAR’s original opening scenes, we explore Proxima B, with its carnivorous plants, sulfur pits, weird bugs, hot climate, and lack of coffee! A familiar Space Ranger volunteers to risk all in an effort to return to Earth.
• Polly – Buzz relives childhood memories when he visits an aeronautic museum in which his father is memorialized. There, he finds Polly, his dad’s robot companion bird, who possesses a very revealing recorded message meant for Buzz!
• Meet Izzy – After young Izzy and her family (including her brother Maurice) move in next door to Buzz, the adorable, talkative girl bursts into Buzz’s home, warms up to Sox, and asks Buzz a lot of questions.
• Up in the Lair – After his spacecraft crash-lands and he winds up in the bunker of fledgling Space Rangers, Buzz is introduced to cheesy snacks and a character whose role was cut due to time. He also receives shocking information about his father.
• Tilted Ship – Star Command Space Rangers of the 56th Airborne Alpha Quadrant meet Buzz and the Space Ranger students. Buzz is given a truth serum so he’ll expose whatever he knows about his father’s connection to the aliens who have taken over Proxima B.
• Fathership – Buzz wakes up in what he thinks is his childhood home, where he meets his father, who was a time travel pilot, just as he is. But it turns out he’s on the mothership of the aliens who are destroying Proxima B – and hope to vanquish Buzz as well!

See it for Yourself

LIGHTYEAR is available now to stream and on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD.