Why Toy Story Fans Are So Divided Over Lightyear

"Lightyear" is a unique addition to the "Toy Story" mythos. After four feature-length films and a ton of shorts following the adventures of Andy's toys, we finally see the movie that inspired him to get a Buzz Lightyear action figure in the first place. "Lightyear" is essentially Andy's version of "Star Wars," where it shaped his childhood and made him beg his mom for a toy. Now the question remains whether "Lightyear" will kick off a similar sensation in the real world with kids wanting their own Buzz Lightyear toys, and the answer seems to be an underwhelming ... maybe?

"Lightyear" hasn't exactly lit up the box office. During its premiere weekend, it only came in second place behind "Jurassic World Dominion." It's an anticlimactic showing for a new Pixar movie, especially one based on pre-existing intellectual property. Part of the reason for this underperformance seems to come from reviews from fans saying how the film's a bit of a letdown, especially when it has to live up to the legacy of "Toy Story."

Reddit is the place to go to get a consensus on what people think about a new movie. And the general opinion for "Lightyear" is that it's fine. Most people seem to be pretty lukewarm on the film, and they're not afraid to let their opinions known on why that's the case. 

Redditor u/Money_Whisperer gave the film a 6 out of 10, explaining, "None of the characters feel memorable, most of the jokes didn't land, the broader message of the film is extremely basic and feels kinda shoved down your throat, Chris [Evans] is a fine voice actor, but he never 'feels' like buzz lightyear, just like a generic astronaut with totally different personality than the buzz lightyear we all know from toy story." A lot of fans seem to take umbrage with the fact this is supposedly the movie Andy watched all those years ago that made him want a Buzz Lightyear toy, but as u/Fantastic-Acadia6980 put it, "My biggest gripe with it is that it's supposed to be the film Andy saw in 1995 that made him love Buzz Lightyear. The movie doesn't line up with that premise at all."

The film hasn't done too bad on Rotten Tomatoes, where it currently stands at a 75% critics' rating. It's respectable but a far cry from the typical praise thrust upon Pixar movies. It seems when it comes to finding common ground with "Lightyear," people will have to agree to disagree on this one.