After a run of original, diverse movies like Soul (2020), Luca (2021) and Turning Red (2022), it may seem disappointing that Pixar is dipping its toes back into the franchise pond with Lightyear, a movie inspired by a character from the Toy Story movies.

And it’s true that Lightyear lacks the depth of Soul and the irreverent adolescent humor of Turning Red, content instead to be a derivative science fiction story peppered with knowing winks to Pixar’s most beloved films. But the studio still does animated movies better than almost anyone else, so it should be no surprise that Lightyear is also a fun and occasionally exciting adventure, with a few grace notes that elevate it beyond the typical kiddie flick.

Here, Buzz Lightyear (Chris Evans) is an intrepid Space Ranger leading an exploratory mission in the outer reaches of the galaxy alongside co-pilot Alicia Hawthrone (Uzo Aduba). When a mission...