They were just so secretive about it, only saying that it's his origin story, but also not at all nudge nudge, wink wink.

I was set up for disappointment by the intro; don't tell me Buzz Lightyear was a character in a mid 90's alien action flick and then not deliver an homage to the genre.

I still liked it. My nephew is obsessed, so we watch it all the time. But there was a better movie in there somewhere.