SpaceCamp

I've watched this more times than I can count, and my family has owned it since before I can remember. I like this movie for that reason, also it was the first step towards movies like Apollo 13. Isn't it funny all the future stars that are in this movie? Kelly Preston, Lea Thompsan (well, she did already have Back 2 the future) Tate Donovan, Joaquin Phoenix....

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.

Never had events placed a movie in an untenable situation. According to the Trivia part of IMDb the original premiere was for early in 1986. With the tragedy of the Challenger blowing up the decision to delay the film for a few months wasn't a good idea in hindsight. The premise was about as plausible as having a bunch of Victoria Secret's models fighting over me.

You have a group of kids and a an adult (at least chronically) are placed in a situation where an error with a mathematical probability of being dealt ten consecutive "Royal Flushes" in a straight up poker game. The crew is now forced to apply their knowledge to survive. Oh, did I mention that there isn't enough fuel and oxygen to survive for long? After some improvisation and the only true pilot being out of commission the crew buy some time. When Max the child prodigy of the group damages a satilette he is chided: "Just wait until your parents get the bill." Well, they can deduct from the nine figure checque they'll get from the government. Fortunately there is a happy ending.

This movie was over all good but with the association with the challenger tragedy and being released at the same time as "Karate Kid", and "Top Gun" didn't help the box office.

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.

I just rented it again. I just ignore the plot porcupines and enjoy the adolescent romp. Perfect family viewing; some action and suspense, no violence, and just one kiss. For those of us that will be forever planet bound, it is sometimes nice to dream.