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There have been screenings of LOST IN SPACE around the country, with varying opinions. Some say it ROCKS! Some
say it SUCKS! Some say it's OK! Some say it's a RENTAL! Some say it's a MUST SEE! Wish I could be of more help, but it
really does seem like a mixed bag. Like I have said in the past, reviews for films are all so subjective. I know a lot of people
that hate the source material. Hell, some of the episodes I would agree. Some people like the Camp LOST IN SPACE, while others
love the original pilot with it's decidedly darker tones. I have removed the spoilers for you, and if I didn't (SEE SECOND REVIEW) I label well in advance.
I have included 2 bads, 1 great, and 1 wait for rental, reviews. That is the proportion that it has been coming in. Wish I could say otherwise, I really enjoyed
the script, and still am holding out hopes.
This first review comes from the greatest hockey player in all of Canada (which just about means the world) and is a bit negative. Though he admits to never having seen the original show, so make of that what you will...
Saw a screening of Lost in Space last night, here in Ottawa
Canada.
Here's the lowdown...
Overall, not very good. Some cool effects shots and an overblown
Gary
Oldman as Dr. Smith couldn't even save it from diving into complete
cheesiness.
Admittantly, I have not seen the old series at all, and I can
only
assume that the cheesieness is 'paying homage' to the show. It doesn't
work, though.
Matt LeBlanc isn't bad as Major Don West. He starts the films
opening
fight sequence with some fancy flying and some bad lines. For example,
he has to (DELETED TO SAVE YOU FROM SPOILERS), and says "I'm gonna
give you a kiss, but don't take it the wrong way." He almost gets away
from his Friends character until he tries to pick up heather Graham's
character..then he is just a macho idiot.
The rest of the Robinson family, including William Hurt as John
Robinson, is bad. The kids are annoying, the mother and Heather Graham
aren't given much to do except spout technical terms like she was on the
Enterprise, and there is an addition of a small alien creature that is
the "cute-family-film-factor" thing. It's pointless.
I guess it's safe to say I didn't like the film. The plot is
like what you'd expect from a big screen adaptation (involving changing time and
the future it brings...which, by the way, is very confusing because a
lot of it doesn't make sense) and it's wide open for a sequel. Two
stars out of five, just because Gary Oldman is still a joy to watch.
By the way, on the print I saw, there was no Godzilla trailer.
And then there is this review from a guy I know and trust named OOGIE BOOGIE, he may be full of bugs and
centipedes, but he does know a good movie when he sees it. And he says this isn't it. I'm a bit worried by his review. I LEFT THE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW SO THE AUTHOR COULD MAKE HIS POINT! SKIP TO THE NEXT REVIEW!!!!..
I saw Lost in Space. It sucks. Perhaps I'd like it if I saw it when I was
9.
No, I take that back, because I saw things like Ewoks: The Battle for
Endor when I was that age, and even then I found it only mildly
engaging. Kids watch movies to ESCAPE their family, not be reminded of
it.
The movie is not without its thrills: the robot voice is the same as
the original series and Gary Oldman is very good. Heather Graham is
gorgeous, and I must respect Steven Hopkins, a hack director, for
wooing her. Akiva Goldsman writes the kids well - but writes EVERYBODY
as a kid, and it grates as hell when the parents and/or Major West
and Judy (Graham) interact. Not even the interminable discussions of
Troi eating chocolate on Star Trek: The Next Generation were this
unbearable.
The imagery is flashy, but I am one of those antiquated souls who
loves the look of things that exist in the physical world. Maybe this
is strange, but Star Wars and The Empire Strikes Back are so gritty and
cool (not the Special Edition footage) because that's REAL SNOW on Hoth,
for example. Even in something like Capricorn One, the helicopters look
so real... because they're real! There's nothing "special" about the
effect: they went out and shot helicopters. You can't fake that! (sorry folks)
Lost in Space perpetuates the current wave of phony-baloney effects
that look as convincing as my screen saver. In particular, the Blurp
or Gloop monkey is less integrated than the animated characters in
Roger Rabbit-- that's bad. Almost the entire movie takes place in
a digitally created landscape that whizzes and bangs so much, nothing
is suspenseful (not even the two periods of complete silence,
highlighting
hyperspace travel). It is truly an
unsuspenseful movie, and there's one sequence that could have been
terrifying. The vision of Earth is already dated. It feels so... I don't
know... 1993.
Oh, yes. I forgot to mention. The spice is found on only one planet.
No, wait. There's a plot. Sort of. It's a time-travel thingamig that
[SPOILER] involves Will from the future creating a time machine into
which the characters fall. Annoyingly, although June Lockhart et al
provide cameos (except Jonathan Harris), the character of adult Will is
NOT played by Billy Mumy, which would have been too cool. Predictably,
this time travel scenario is resolved, the family unit is reaffirmed,
and the movie ends--right where you feel the second act is ending.
Then there's a horrendous techno version of the 3rd season Lost in Space
theme by John Williams. (Speaking of the score, by Bruce Broughton,
it has a couple of good themes but is largely generic space nonsense.)
They purposefully do not resolve a subplot involving Dr. Smith
being infected by an alien spider, I guess to set up a
potential sequel.
I know Lost in Space sucks. It is just one of those things, coming
out of the brain of a low-ball, childish showman (Mr. Irwin Allen), that
is gosh-darn-stupid through and through. Not to say it's not fun,
and the fun parts of the new feature are those that recreate the original
series: specifically, the robot going "Destroy all Robinsons! Destroy
Jupiter 2!" and the balance of Dr. Smith being
part funny (as he was through most of the series), and part bad guy
(as he was in the original pilot and few episodes). But it is truly
an ineffectual, annoying, hyperactive cosmic headache.
Gee... Akiva Goldsman... how strange.
Then we have a good review of LOST IN SPACE by Goldbug. I think he is more than meets the eye.
Here we have an exact counter to the above review. But it is by a person I don't know. He likes the character
of Will Robinson, and I have said all along, if that character comes through... then this movie could work. Earlier this
year I saw some effects shots that didn't do it for me, that were too CG looking. I hope they were just not finished, but
they sure looked finished. Well, here's a good review....
just got back from the screening of the Lost in Space film here in the
Detroit area. (geek note: this was held at our new united artiststheatre,
and this was the 'press opening' for the place, hence my presence, and
this is a nice place to catch a flick. not as BIG as our Star Southfield,
(which took in a million people thru the gates in under 6 months) but
very friendly. It's quite a nice place.) This was the opening nite for
the place, and they offered 'behind the scenes' tours of the place.
But i doubt you care about our new theatre.
On to the screening.
Set in the year 2058, the world is dying and yadda yadda yadda... The
opening sequence had perhaps the best space special effects i've seen in
recent memory. It's essentially a space dogfight, but it looked really
good.
Over all the effects in this film were quite impressive. All in all they
rocked.
I really really wanted to hate so many of the actors in this film, among
them all the kids, and especially Matthew Perry of friends fame. Guess
what? i didnt. And i actually got the feeling this was a family. Penny,
the Party of 5 girl was actually fun without being nauseous, even if she
looked like a heroin addict. And even though Perry basically played his
Friends character here, i was quite pleased with the performance he put
in.
Gary Oldman in particular was brilliant in this picture, save for in one
bit which wasnt his fault. He's mean and acerbic, and enough of a ass to
everyone that he carries a good part of the movie without even trying.
Overall, the writers even managed to sustain a large degree of
believability as regarding the physics and other science related things
in this film. They need to be applauded too, for making Will Robinson,
Boy Genius, a character i didnt want to see strangled.
The cameos by the old cast weren't overdone, and amusing, June Lockhearts
in particular.
Downsides? Well, there was a bit with Oldman, that effects wise just
BLEW. it occurs near the end of the film, and i'm not going to spoil the
bit for anyone, as it's a sorta crucial story point. However, for geeks
in the know, i will say that it deals with why Oldman was kept late for
filming. The ending was a little drawn out but not overly so, and the
final conclusion keeps you wanting more. I look forward to the next
voyage of the Jupiter two. (we learn where the jupiter one is in this
film too, btw)
another thing i liked was the very exciting ending credits. yeah, i'm a
geek, but the credits rocked, and if nothing else gave an answer to the
question "where did all this music appear on the soundtrack?"
Maybe one of the best films i have seen this year.
This is a 'wait for video' review. One that says, it ain't too great, it ain't too bad, but... sorta review.
Personally, if the effects are good at all, I have to see it on the big screen, or else why see it? Right. Oh
well, here it is...
Lost in Space
Reviewed by Too Brats in LA
Its been the year of space flicks, with a re-release of Star Wars and the campy Starship
Troopers. While Starship Troopers has been dubbed Melrose Place in Space; the latest
sci-fi film to hit the big screen , Lost in Space, could be dubbed, Party of Five in the Skies.
Full of angst and family dysfunction, the Robinson Family headed by William Hurt and
Mimi Rogers, take their children on an out of this world voyage.
The children, played by Heather Graham, newcomer Jack Johnson, and Lacey Chabert, of
POF, may as well not have parents as the parents are fully dedicated to the mission. I may
have lost track, but I believe the Penny Robinson character played by Lacey was crying in
almost every scene.
This is your ship’s captain, Joey Trebbiano
Matt LeBlanc’s Major West resembles his “Friends” character, Joey as he attempts to
charm Heather Graham’s Dr. Judy Robinson, using life threatening situations as an
aphrodisiac. In the opening sequence, he does this Top Gun, Maverick impersonation.
The real foreshadowing of a derivative movie-going experience happens during this scene.
(DELETED TO PRESERVE SPOILER)
Get Me a Can of Raid
If this isn’t enough to get audiences thinking, Starship Troopers, the attack of the killer
bugs early in the movie will push you over the edge. The best is saved for last, however.
Gary Oldman’s evil Dr. Smith. Two words: Darth Vader. Enough said.
Danger, Will Robinson
Well, Starship Troopers and Star Wars weren’t lauded for acting either. So its fair to say
that the effects were passable. Although in the 20+ years since Star Wars, Lost in Space
could’ve come up with little more than cryogenic suits (Austin Powers), auto iron face
masks (Spawn), and flying through the center of planets (Independence Day).
The robot created by Jim Henson productions was probably the most enjoyable part of this
movie, along with its builder, Will Robinson, played by Jack Johnson. The movie’s one
smart move was a loose plot revolving around Will Robinson; that is, until its ruined by a
(DELETED REFERENCE) moment.
Waiting for the video won’t ruin the effects.
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