Lost in Space Movie Review 1998

Big-screen remake of the cheesy '60s sci-fi TV show retains the basic plot and premise, but jettisons the camp. in 2058, the Robinsons and pilot Don West (LeBlanc) are chosen to pioneer the colonization of a far-off world because Earth has become nearly uninhabitable. The evil Dr. Smith (Oldman) sabotages the mission but gets stuck on board. Once the family is appropriately lost, the story veers into familiar sci-fi territory of apparently deserted spaceships, marauding aliens, and time warps. It's visually impressive, but writer Goldsman can't resist turning the Robinsons into an annoying collection of 1990s dysfunction. The plot pretty much hinges on Dad's lousy parenting skills, and the kids are disaffected and resentful. Eye-candy effects, the occasionally witty inside joke for fans of the show, and Oldman's deliciously oily Smith provide plenty of fun, but where's the giant carrot?

Distribution

New Line Home Video, 116 N. Robertson Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90048, Phone: (310)854-5811, Fax: (310)854-1824, URL: http://www.newline.com, Remarks: Does not handle retail queries from consumers; contact your local video distributor.

Available on VHS, DVD
Running time 131 minutes.

Cast and Crew

Genres

Sci Fi, Space Operas, Time Travel, Family Ties, Adapted from Television, Alien Beings--Vicious, Rescue Missions Involving Time Travel, Robots & Androids, Technology--Rampant, Making Friends, Spiders

Screenplay

Akiva Goldsman

Cast

William Hurt, Mimi Rogers, Gary Oldman, Heather Graham, Matt LeBlanc, Lacey Chabert, Jack Johnson, Lennie James, Jared Harris, Mark Goddard, Edward Fox, Adam Sims

Cinematography

Peter Levy

Director

Stephen Hopkins

Music

Bruce Broughton

Other

June Lockhart, Marta Kristen, Angela Cartwright, Dick Tufeld, Ray Lovejoy, Angus Bickerton, Lauren Ritchie

Producer

Irwin Allen Productions, New Line Cinema