LOST IN SPACE (1998)
A Film Review
Copyright Dragan Antulov 2004
Turning old movies and television shows into modern Hollywood
blockbusters doesn't have to always produce disastrous results.
When such disasters happen, they are usually result of Hollywood
studios playing safe and remaking successful titles instead of bad
ones. Common sense tells us that the remakes of bad films are more
likely to be better and more successful than the originals. But such
opportunities don't always get exploited. Good example for that is
LOST IN SPACE, 1998 science fiction adventure directed by Stephen
Hopkins.
The plot of the film is inspired by cult 1960s television show LOST IN
SPACE. The show, based on the idea of typical American family
having to travel through space, quickly succumbed to camp and
never had chance to claim the same loyal following as STAR TREK.
That, of course, hasn't prevented New Line studios from trying to
emulate success of STAR TREK movie franchise. Studio executives
were apparently unconcerned with the fact that the most loyal fans of
the show were people in their 40ies and 50ies - hardly the crowd that
would flock to theatres at the weekends. The story and characters
were, however, slightly updated.
Unlike the show, set in 1990s, the movie starts in 2058. Planet Earth is
some ten years away from having all of its resources stripped away
and thus becoming uninhabitable for mankind. The only hope lies in
colonisation of Alpha Prime, project that can be made viable only if
the time for interstellar travel is shortened. The interstellar portal is
built in the Solar system, but someone has to travel to Alpha Prime
and set the similar portal on the other side. Professor Smith (played
by William Hurt), his wife, three children and military pilot Major
Don West (played by Matt Le Blanc) have volunteered for the job.
Their space ship Jupiter 2, however, is sabotaged by Dr. Zachary
Smith (played by Gary Oldman), evil scientist working for terrorist
organisation known as Global Sedition. But things don't go as
planned and, instead of being killed, Robinsons and their ship end up
in the unknown corner of galaxy. Together with Smith, who
remained stuck on their ship, they must find a way home.
The ending of LOST IN SPACE suggests a sequel that never came.
And this is hardly surprising, because the screenplay was written by
Akiva Goldsman, author whom many fans blame for the destruction
of BATMAN movie franchise. Somewhat interesting opening is
followed by the series of spectacular action scenes intertwined with
poor one-liners, jokes that could hardly make anyone laugh and
Goldsman's lame attempts to portray Robinsons as 1990s
dysfunctional American family in futuristic suits. Few more elements
are thrown in more than obvious attempts to attract as much crowds
as possible. One is romantic subplot involving dashing Don West and
Robinsons' older daughter, played by Heather Graham. Another is
cute little CGI alien named Blawp, introduced in order to bring more
money to the studio through toy sales.
LOST IN SPACE, on the other hand, isn't complete disaster.
Futuristic production design by Norman Garwood is truly
impressive, and, together with special effects, creates images that
closely resembles visions of future depicted in 1960s science fiction
novels and magazines. Director Stephen Hopkins, although unable to
compensate for the flaws of Goldsman's text, handles action scenes
very well. The acting is solid and in some cases even surprisingly
good. Lacey Chabert is impressive as annoying brat while Gary
Oldman, in his role of the villain, tries to channel the actor from the
original series rather than deliver another of his over the top
performances. Yet, despite that, a great chance for successful movie
franchise was lost.
RATING: 3/10 (+)
Review written on May 3rd 2004
Dragan Antulov a.k.a. Drax
http://film.purger.com
- Filmske recenzije na hrvatskom/Movie Reviews in
Croatian
http://www.ofcs.org
- Online Films Critics Society
==========
X-RAMR-ID: 37704
X-Language: en
X-RT-ReviewID: 1277543
X-RT-TitleID: 1082862
X-RT-AuthorID: 1307
X-RT-RatingText: 3/10
|
