Mon copain Mac héros des étoiles

Anyone even mildly annoyed by the character of Wesley Crusher in Star Trek: The Next Generation will want to throw their TV out the window when they see this turkey. Remember how, week after week, young Wesley would always find some amazing way to pull the Enterprise out of trouble and all those highly trained and experienced Starfleet officers could only stand around and gape in wonder? Well, this movie is far, far worse. Anyone even remotely aware of the real history of Project Mercury will retch at the liberties taken with basic facts by this movie.

I don't expect historical accuracy in a film like this. But this movie is full of tired cliches (such as James Woods' German scientist) and ludicrous plot holes that even kids should see right through. For example, our hero discovers that a corrupt NASA manager has sabotaged a launch to gain a lucrative position with an aerospace contractor. Now one would ordinarily expect someone in such a position to immediately inform the appropriate security officials, right? Not in this movie. No, the kid, his father and a few of his co-workers secretly fix the rocket themselves!

I suppose this movie might amuse some very, very young kids, but that's about it.

I won't summarize the plot, others have already done that already, but I will make a few points and expose a few of the more obvious flaws.

I was hoping that Race To Space (2001) would be as good as The Dish (2000), which is also based on a true story of the space race (check it out if you can!). I was hoping that this film would dramatize the meaty subject of ex-Nazis working in the America's rocket program. Something that has had virtually no attention in film. Unfortunately it didn't.

Children and animals and rockets? No, it doesnt work. The mindset that brings together the first two for quick buck doesnt understand the latter. What happened to the live action kids movies? All they seem to know how to make is endless kids and animals films about animals who behave like spoiled brats and the kids who love them. Air Bud 1, 2 and 3 Free Willy 1, 2 and 3 M.V.P.: Most Valuable Primate 1, 2 and 3! How is a kid watching these films supposed to gain any insight into real animal behavior from all this stage production? It sickens me. It would be okay if they were actually entertaining, but they are all derivative crap. Race To Space is just lucky its not sequel bound like it forebearers (I hope).

Though James Woods was fine in this film, he is usually much better, his accent was very poorly done.

The meaningless subplot about a NASA supervisor (William Atherton) who is bribed by a rival rocket developer (?) into wilful sabotage of a Redstone rocket was not only ridiculous, it was sad. Is this ham fisted manipulation of the plot supposed to explain away all the other meandering plot threads???? If so, it didnt work. Sad. Poor William Atherton (you probably know him from his arrogant and abrasive TV reporter role in the Die Hard movies), he plays pompous and self-important characters so well he's become typecast in the worst way. I guess its a job, but he can't be still having fun playing the same character over and over again in film after film.

This film was ultimately a big disappointment, it takes way too many liberties with the facts to be legitimately use the "based on a true

story" tag. The only facts from NASA history that this film keeps are that:

1. German scientists/engineers were instrumental in the space race and

2. That a Chimpanzee was launched into space before a man was.

The true story of the first Chimpanzee in space may not have made as good a "Hollywood kids movie" in the tradition of (Free Willy), but it certainly would have been a better film. This is ably supported by the mini documentary entitled "Ham: America's First Space Hero" which is included on the DVD (amongst a surprising number of ineffectual extras). "Ham: America's First Space Hero" is the one bright spot in this otherwise shabby production.

I don't think that children actually enjoy or learn from schmaltzy unrealistic animals movies, let alone from "based on a true story" films that aren't! Perhaps I'm wrong, perhaps you will really enjoy it if you are 11 years old, I'm not, I didnt.

I have just seen Race To Space and was so pleased to see a movie that can be enjoyed by the whole family.The cast was great especially William Atherton who is great at playing characters you love to hate. The story moves quickly and has plenty of humor and suspense and is also a great history lesson. I highly recommend this movie for anyone 8 or over

It seems at the present time, I can not help but watch movies that are ‘based on a true story'. Perhaps it is all a coincidence, but I have been richly rewarded for viewing such movies. Race to space is a ‘family friendly' motion picture, that has a great resemblance to the movie ‘October sky'. If you have ever looked for a film about animals, and why they are and can be an important part of someone's life, then this film is it.

Wilhelm is a NASA scientist, who has recently located to Florida with his son Billy, who aspires to be a hero like the young astronaut, Alan Shepherd and it's not long before Billy gets his chance. Hired by Dr. McGuinness to help train the chimpanzees for the NASA space mission, he begins to develop a close bond with one chimp in particular, Mac. With Billy's help, Mac is chosen to become the first chimp into space. It all seems a wonderful game until Billy realizes the risk associated with Mac going on this historic mission. Can Mac and his Dad pull together to make this mission fly?

This a really enjoyable film. Considering that is based on a true story, I like how it compels you to see what will happen between the main stars, that being Billy and Mac. The director, Sean McNamara, does a great job in bringing out the wonderful relationship that a young boy has with the Chimpanzees. I also found the story interesting in how the bad men of launch wanted it to fail, but never got their way. The credit for the story belongs to both Eric Gardner and Steven H. Wilson. They wrote both the script and the characters perfectly.

Then what about the cast for this film. The main man of the show was Billy, who was played by Alex D. Linz. I like how he showed such compassion for his animal friend Mac, as that sentiment seemed real. This young fellow also appeared in films such as the Cable Guy and the starring role in the not so popular, Home Alone 3. I liked the grown cast members of `Race to Space'. Billy's Father, the eccentric Dr. Wilhelm Von Huber, was acted very well by James Wood. I especially enjoyed how his character turns from being a strict parent, to a caring and understanding father. Then the role of Dr Donni McGuinness is also important. Her character was performed by Annabeth Gish. She was good in the role of the doctor who chooses the one Chimp to go into space. I also enjoyed her role in the film, Double Jeopardy.

There is also some different sort of stars that need to be recognised here. I am of course talking about the wonderful work by the Chimpanzees. They were very funny and well taught by their trainers. It was an amazing achievement to actually have an animal do what was being shown. To have it reenacted is priceless. It is great to have animals being not only able to achieve great heights, but to be used in a way that is not cruel, but instead to the advantage of all to see.

In conclusion, I watched this film with a group of people, who all thought it was pretty good. I would have to agree, considering that it was funny, touching, sad and triumphant, showing the heartfelt adventure of the first chimpanzee in space. This film also makes me a little envy of missing out such great achievements by man, such as putting animals in space (safely) and a man on the moon. What an historic time the 60's must have been, and how lucky we are that movies can are being made showing such events. Race to space is an inspirational story that should not be missed.

CMRS gives ‘Race to Space': 4.5 (very good - brilliant film)

Granted, it's sentimental, and obviously made for TV, but I thoroughly enjoyed this film, which I can't say of some much higher-rated films here. The acting was fine really, tho indeed funny to hear James Woods talk semi-German. I think everybody in the cast did a fine job however. The story was told well, and interesting enough to follow. It was also visually well executed.

All in all an inspirational film for kids and adults because the message is that everyone can make a difference, make friends and make dreams come true. I find it sad that movies like this get dismissed as sentimental garbage. I prefer it much over negative and pretentious pieces.

I would rate this 7/10, but kids will give it 9/10!