SPACE CADET. Hardcore sci-fi fans will soften with this film.

It takes 100,000 light years to traverse our Galaxy, so who cares about human decades? This is the lighthearted approach to science fiction taken by “Space Cadet”. The latest Amazon production starring Emma Roberts resembles a romantic comedy, with conquering the universe as a backdrop for the protagonist’s emotional adventures. It’s more fiction than science, but paradoxically, you’ll learn more about space flights from this film than from the so-called sci-fi Avengers. Amazon Prime released a comedy about how to become an astronaut, but it’s so light that you can watch it during dinner. I doubt it will result in more job applications to NASA’s HR department, but the sci-fi genre won’t suffer from it; it might even gain more ease if such productions that treat space, physics, and universe exploration as a normal part of everyday life keep appearing. This is likely how fiction imagined in the mind will transform into applied science in practice, and the sci-fi genre will naturally incorporate itself into drama, thriller, comedy, or even social films.

I just watched “Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F” and right after it, “Space Cadet.” I fear that the latter, supposedly a simple story about a naive waitress dreaming of changing her life and becoming an astronaut, is much more valuable in terms of knowledge, educational theory, and reflection. Of course, in reality, it would be absolutely impossible, but I’m not talking about the technical explanation of the recruitment process, which is more of a failure for NASA, but about the whole ideological backdrop. In other words, the reflections shown in a colorful, cheerful, sometimes kitschy, but at the same time unpretentious and warm way by the narrator, the main character Rex (Emma Roberts). Critics might say that Emma Roberts is on a good path to follow in her father Eric’s footsteps, who is effectively vying for a lifetime achievement award in the form of a statuette labeled “Everything, Everywhere, All at Once.” Nevertheless, although Emma’s acting was often over-the-top, she ultimately managed to master the character of Rex, evolving from an annoying scatterbrain to a joyful but deep astronaut with painted nails. It’s probably a matter of how the character was guided by the director and writer, but much is owed to the actor, who physically presents the creators’ vision to the audience. Initially annoyingly hyperactive and laughing at odd moments, Emma Roberts eventually found her time and place in the world of “Space Cadet”

The film was directed and scripted by Liz W. Garcia, a specialist in dramas with a romantic-comedic twist rather than sci-fi. However, she managed to gather a large enough budget to make the film look more like a mid-range drama rather than a B-grade sci-fi flick. Almost until the end, I was convinced there would be no space sequences except for the comic book-like backgrounds in the character’s experiences, but the ending surprised me when Rex ventured into space. The special effects were quite acceptable, except for some green screen issues on Earth. In space, the helmet and spacesuit seemed to hide the flaws, especially in the characters’ hair. The film lasts 1 hour and 50 minutes. I’m giving a nod here to the creators of the Polish version of “Knives Out” and their mishap, “Inheritance,” which managed to stretch to 94 minutes despite today’s digital storage capabilities. Despite its length, “Space Cadet” doesn’t feel artificially extended. The events follow logically and quickly, leading to a cosmic finale and then to existential reflection.

For some of you, this reflection might seem like a teenage diary entry, but looking at the mundane human life, it lacks humility towards the complexity of the cosmos. It’s as if we aren’t capable of understanding even this seemingly simple reflection, written with a glitter pen in a heart-sticker-covered notebook locked with a golden padlock. Maybe it’s not so simple after all, since our behavior shows we don’t grasp its meaning at all? Generally, “Space Cadet” can be described as a very colorful title, using quick editing, animation, special effects, a somewhat fairytale-like narration, and elements of cosmic sci-fi. There’s also a romantic subplot, though not fully developed. A more humorous motif worth noting is a gym that, thanks to one clever person, can transform into a marine lab or even an airbase. The ending is clearly inspired by “Gravity,” although visually it’s not as good. Still, looking at this low-budget production, I’m convinced we’d be pleased if it was made here. Its warmth and casual lightness, along with the ability to present truly difficult existential themes in a simple way, is an undeniable advantage of the production. I know it’s hard to avoid banality in these themes, but if life offers the chance, it’s worth taking a cue from the heroine and not giving up, though that doesn’t mean one shouldn’t feel humble towards the starry sky above, which outlasts our decades. And fans of hard sci-fi might benefit from softening up for a moment.