Buzz Lightyear’s Cosmic Adventures The "Toy Story" series is probably one of the most famous franchises in the world. Its characters, who once revolutionized computer animation, are still beloved today — both by kids and by those who grew up with them long ago. But, as is often the case, every successful franchise eventually gets a reboot, a spinoff, or something of the sort — no matter what you call it. The Buzz Lightyear project is just another proof of that. Debates around the movie started even before its release. It was criticized from all sides — for example, some complained that this Buzz isn’t the same one we knew from "Toy Story". Honestly, that’s a bit sad. Especially considering that the Lightyear we see here and the Buzz who was Woody’s friend are, in fact, two entirely different characters. I watched the film without any prejudice — which, I think, is the right way to go. And "Lightyear" didn’t disappoint me. Of course, its story can’t really compare in depth to the plots of the original series, but it still gives you something to think about. At its core, though, it’s a space adventure — a story about a hero trying to complete a mission to save his crew. Things go wrong at first, but eventually, he manages to do what must be done. That’s when the movie begins to ask the big questions: who is Buzz Lightyear when his victory no longer means anything to anyone? And how does a person come to terms with the painful truth that they’ve become a relic of a bygone era? These are the struggles the main character faces in his own film. The pacing is lively. As is typical for "Pixar", the movie keeps a fast rhythm and moves with energy. Several supporting characters add charm and balance, giving the story a sense of completeness. Still, the concept feels noticeably weaker than that of its predecessors, and the emotional connection between the characters doesn’t quite land. It’s impossible not to compare it to "Toy Story", but the creators must have known that by taking a hero from that universe, they’d also inherit the audience’s high expectations. The film does have a few unexpected plot twists — surprising, though not particularly impressive in my view. Nevertheless, it’s an interesting, self-contained story. Visually, the movie looks stunning — as always with "Pixar". Every frame, every movement, every setting is top-notch. The studio’s attention to detail remains unmatched, and for that, they deserve full credit. Overall, it’s a good project — but, I think, a one-time watch. "Lightyear" is a curious and imaginative story, a whole new world somewhere deep in space. Still, it’s fair to admit that audiences expected more. Maybe those inflated expectations played a cruel trick on the film. The box office numbers tell the tale — it barely managed to recoup its enormous $200 million budget. That’s undeniably a failure. But personally, I still liked the movie. 7 out of 10