Space Camp

It's Fun. It's as simple as that. The premise is not actually to far fetched. Who hasn't thought about going into space? And in this the kids get to do it. There are a few "you did it because you're a team" slushy American moments but otherwise it's a great harmless rainy day movie. 8/10

I saw Spacecamp when I was a kid. In fact I have it on VHS. I really am a boomer in disguise aren't I. Going into it I was nervous since most relics from my childhood end up being mediocre at best. This held up pretty well though if I do say so myself. Obviously a bit of it is nostalgia but this was a pretty good summer space movie. The CGI? Miniatures? Not sure exactly what it is but it looks pretty good. The zero gravity stuff is done pretty well and they use camera cuts to hide the fact it's all on a set. Some of the dialogue and pacing of the film felt a bit whacky though. I wish we got to see more of the day to day life style and training at Spacecamp. It's in there for half the film but I wish I could have seen a bit more of it. There's a remake planned apparently and I'd be more then happy to go and see it or watch it on Disney+. It's a fun summer movie that has nostalgia for me and a unique premise. While the idea of kids accidentally being sent to space is a little far fetched they explain it in a way that's satisfactory and I honestly think that's what this film is. Satisfactory. It's a nice summer movie with some cool characters and it radiates the 80's vibe but not much more then that. 6.5/10

Oh and Joaquin is pretty good in this for a kid actor.

Impossible? Of course it is, but 'Space Camp' is a good 'ol piece of wide-eyed, optimistic 80s feel-goodery. God, I miss it. But revisiting it turned out to be more than a mere nostalgia trip. 'Space Camp' is a well made, well acted, adventure film that deftly mixes comedy, drama and thrills.

Featuring a cast of talented and likable actors that you will recognize from better known films, top notch special effects and a rousing score by the great John Williams, 'Space Camp' is the type of film that today's kids need to see. Its message? Work hard, dream big and reach for the stars. It's a lesson they're not getting from our popular culture today, and it's one they desperately need to hear.

Aside from 80s fans (of corny movies), I would say this movie is most suitable for young kids who are probably twelve years-old and younger and interested in space exploration or have just a general interest in science. Next to The Explorers, another 80s sci-fi adventure, this is a fun movie about young kids getting to participate in space exploration.

Space Camp is about a bunch of smart kids and teenagers recruited into a camp in which they must master training to be young astronauts. Unfortunately, a small group find out that their training is put to the test a little early, as their inside a shuttle that accidentally launches. They make it all the way to space, capable of seeing the moon and everything, but run out of oxygen. So, this being a family movie, each must overcome their fears and for some, their arrogance, and work together as a team and know that eventually, they'll beat their dilemma. Afterall, it was what they were trained to do.

This movie has a bunch of familiar 80s actors, young and old. Tate Donovan is Kevin Donaldson, a kid who doesn't really care about the importance of Space Camp, he's more interested in girls and he wishes everyone would stop putting so much responsbility on him. Lea Thompson is Kathryn Fairly, the girl he's got his eye on. Kelly Preston is Tish, Scott Coffey is Gardner, Tom Skerrit is Commander Zach Burkstroom, Kate Capshaw is Andie Burkstroom (the leader of the mission), and Joaquin Phoenix is the shrilly voiced irritating youngster wimp of the group who exemplifies the morals of building self-confidence. It may be too corny for teenagers, but young kids might still find this movie enjoyable and hopefully, not too recognizeably dated.

Four teenagers (Lea Thompson, Larry B. Scott, Kelly Preston and Tate Donovan) and one pre-teen (Joaquin Phoenix) get launched into outer space by a small robot in this above-average adventure movie. Kate Capshaw is along for the ride as the instructor and Tom Skerritt is solid as the one in charge of mission control when the crisis occurs. With the exception of Scott, the other four young stars have all had recognizable careers. Joaquin Phoenix, in particular, steals every scene as the youngest of the five. 3.5 out of 5 stars.