The young attendees of a space camp find themselves in space for real when their shuttle is accidentally launched into orbit.The young attendees of a space camp find themselves in space for real when their shuttle is accidentally launched into orbit.The young attendees of a space camp find themselves in space for real when their shuttle is accidentally launched into orbit.
- Awards
- 1 nomination total
Joaquin Phoenix
- Max
- (as Leaf Phoenix)
Scott Coffey
- Gardener
- (as T. Scott Coffey)
Daryl Keith Roach
- NASA #1
- (as Daryl Roach)
Featured reviews
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.
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.
Oh and Joaquin is pretty good in this for a kid actor.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
Did you know
- TriviaJoaquin Phoenix's feature film debut. He is credited as Leaf Phoenix.
- GoofsThe shuttle program had several abort options prior to achieving orbit. There was a return to launch site abort, meaning after dropping the solid rocket boosters they would turn about and go right back. There was also a transatlantic abort (land in a friendly foreign country in Europe) or abort once around (one orbit and back in). In all cases, the shuttle could've returned pretty quickly. Of course, then there would've been no movie. However, it should be noted that NASA never actually tested any of these space shuttle launch abort functions which was noted in the Challenger accident report. So there's no way to know if they would have actually worked.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Les Goldberg: Smother's Day (2016)
- SoundtracksWalk of Life
by Mark Knopfler
Chariscourt Ltd. adm. by Almo Music Corp. in USA and Canada
Performed by Dire Straits
Courtesy of Phonogram Ltd./Warner Bros.
Records by arrangement with Warner Special Products
- How long is SpaceCamp?Powered by Alexa
Details
Box office
- Budget
- $18,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $9,697,739
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $2,918,072
- Jun 8, 1986
- Gross worldwide
- $9,697,739
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