LOST IN SPACE
US, 1998, 130 minutes, Colour.
William Hurt, Mimi Rogers, Gary Oldman, Heather Graham, Lacey Chabert, Jack Johnson, Matt Le Blanc, Jarrod Harris, Mark Goddard, Edward Fox, June Lockhart.
Directed by Stephen Hopkins.
Not having seen the TV Lost in Space, I'm not sure now this blockbuster effects movie compares. The space family Robinson are involved in all kinds of technological wizardry, some dastardly doings from Gary Oldman's round-vowelled villainous Dr Smith and rely on gauche war hero, West (Matt Le Blanc).
There's some Star Wars battles, then some trekking, some space insects (small cousins of those in Starship Troopers), then some time travel twists and a lot of family bonding. It's not going to stay in the mind, rather it's a bit of space fun.
The Space Family Robinson.
1.The popularity of the television series? Its basic production values? Yet its exploration of space – at the time of Star trek?
2.The film and screenplay based on the classic tale of The Swiss Family Robinson, the contemporary Robinsons, lost on an alien planet?
3.The production values: the special effects, the production design? State of the art at the end of the 1990s? In comparison with the original television series? Special effects, stunt work? The musical score?
4.The criticism of the screenplay, ordinary, even banal? The performances – and trying to bring life to the screenplay? Corny lines? Gary Oldman and his being the comic villain?
5.The Earth in 2058, pollution, resources strained? Space exploration? Scientists, laboratories? Industrial espionage? The plan to relocate Earth’s people? The need for the Hypergate? The decision to send the Robinsons to build the Hypergate? The cryogenic system, the slow voyage of ten years to a planet? The base for the building?
6.The introduction to the family: John Robinson, professor, lectures, skills? Maureen and the loving wife, mother? Her scientific knowledge and background? Judy, her research, prim and proper, earnest? Penny, younger, mischievous? Missing her friends? Will, young, his scientific knowledge, his expertise during the voyage, especially with the robots?
7.The introduction to Major Don West, on flight patrols, saving his friends, the risks? Being interviewed by the general? Assigned to the spacecraft? His comments about Judy, her father’s sternness? On board, his work, skills? His interactions with Judy? The interactions with Doctor Smith? The hostility? His expertise, weaponry? Guiding the spacecraft? The crises and his contribution? The ending? A happy ending in space?
8.Doctor Smith, the sabotage? Gary Oldman’s performance? His bizarre dialogue? His sabotage and being caught? On the spacecraft? Clashes with those on board? With Professor Robinson? His being transformed, the other Doctor Smith? The spider? Their confrontations, destruction?
9.The planet, the older Will Robinson, his attitude towards his father, coming from the future? His being reconciled? Providing the means for the return to contemporary time?
10.The family interactions, functional, dysfunctional? The bonds between the parents? Between the children? Parents and children? The presentation of a wholesome family despite difficulties?
11.Earth, the general, his decisions about the spacecraft? The saboteurs, Edward Fox as the businessman? The children at school, June Lockhart as the principal?
12.A Saturday matinee kind of entertainment? The quality of the production yet the difficulties with the script?
