Flight of the Navigator is one of those rare breaths of fresh air you get when a movie studio actually comes up with something original that appeals to all ages. Surprisingly, this offering is from Walt Disney Studios, but it is their least formulaic live action film of the 1980's, harking ... Read review
Advantages: inexspensive family fun, picture clear, stereo sound clear, excelelnt storyline, great cast. Disadvantages: film only, no extras, picture not restored before transfer, not surround sound
Flight of the Navigator is one of those rare breaths of fresh air you get when a movie studio actually comes up with something original that appeals to all ages. Surprisingly, this offering is from Walt Disney Studios, but it is their least formulaic live action film of the 1980's, harking back to the quality of their cinematic hey day.
The film
It is 1978 and the setting is Ft Lauderdale, Florida., and the film begins with ... ...catch frisbees on the 4th of July. The 12 year old older brother, David, says he is going to teach the the family dog this trick, and of course the younger one has to rattle his cage. We are treated in realistic fashion to the two boys bickering all the way home, and the parents asking them to cool it. Once home, the younger brother goes to play with friends. The parents note it is getting late, and ask David to go fetch his brother home, and join ... more
Flight of the Navigator is one of those rare breaths of fresh air you get when a movie studio actually comes up with something original that appeals to all ages. Surprisingly, this offering is from Walt Disney Studios, but it is their least formulaic live action film of the 1980's, harking back to the quality of their cinematic hey day.
The film It is 1978 and the setting is Ft Lauderdale, Florida., and the film begins with two brothers on an outing with their parents, watching dogs catch frisbees on the 4th of July. The 12 year old older brother, David, says he is going to teach the the family dog this trick, and of course the younger one has to rattle his cage. We are treated in realistic fashion to the two boys bickering all the way home, and the parents asking them to cool it. Once home, the younger brother goes to play with friends. The parents note it is getting late, and ask David to go fetch his brother home, and join them on their boat to watch the holiday fireworks.
Young David takes a shortcut through a wooded area, when he hears a noise. His little brother jumps out of a tree at him, and he screams. David swears revenge, his brother laughs, and runs ahead home. The family dog barks, and David turns to see what the trouble is, and falls down a slope. Stunned, he gets up, climbs out of the ravine, goes home, but cannot get in. A stranger opens the door. Hysterical, he pushes his way in, looks all over the house, and collapses sobbing in confusion.
A ride to the police station, where they determine who he is, and that he has been missing for eight years. His parents have moved, his little brother is now nearly an adult, but David is still just 12 years old. Everyone wants to know where he has been, and how this has happened. The government has a special interest in the issue, and David's unknown to himself secret leads to an adventure fraught with humour that challenges the imagination.
The cast of the film is also excellent, and adults wil recognise many of the faces and voices. The cast are:
Joey Cramer ... David Scott Freeman Paul Reubens (aks PeeWee Herman)... Trimaxion/Max (voice) (as Paul Mall) Veronica Cartwright ... Helen Freeman Cliff De Young ... Bill Freeman Sarah Jessica Parker ... Carolyn McAdams Matt Adler ... Jeff Freeman, 16 Years Howard Hesseman ... Dr. Faraday Robert Small ... Troy Albie Whitaker ... Jeff Freeman, 8 Years Jonathan Sanger ... Dr. Carr Iris Acker ... Mrs. Howard Richard Liberty ... Mr. Howard Raymond Forchion ... Detective Banks
The disc This is a low budget release. The film has been transferred to digital format in widescreen. There are no extras of any sort. Quite simply, you put the disc in, you get the usual warnings about copyright, and then the film plays. The picture on mine is clear, but unfortunately the company that released the disc , Cinema Club rather than Disney, did not take care in cleaning up the picture before transferring, so some of the blacks are slightly faded and you get a bit of washed out colour in places. This in no way distorts the overall viewing pleasure as the issue is minor and to be honest, I only noticed it after watching this a million times with my children. There is no issue with sound clarity, though it should be noted it is in stereo rather than surround sound.
It is rated U, and not overly long, running for a total of 84 minutes. It holds the interest of my 3 year old as much as it does my nearly 6 year old, and my husband and I also enjoy this film. The name calling between the brothers may put off some viewers, but let's be honest, its what siblings do from time to time. Priced between £3.97 and £5, it makes a nice little birthday present or stocking stuffer that is sure to please without breaking the bank.
Advantages: Great family film Disadvantages: None really
This is a wonderful 1986 film from the Walt Disney studios that captures some magic with its sci-fi elements and caters for audiences of all ages, and classes as a family film.
The Plot
David is a 12-year-old boy who bickers with his 8-year-old brother but is generally content with his life with his mum and dad as well. Out looking for his brother one evening, he stumbles and falls, knocking himself out. Waking up what he feels is a couple of hours, ... ...not aged one bit! As his family and scientists struggle to find out what happened, the discovery of a flying saucer seems to have a link to David not aging, and a magical tale ensues with some magical creatures and a spaceship with a mind of its own!
The Cast and Performances
Joey Cramer plays David. His innocence and fear as a 12-year-old boy who has not aged, and whose family are all of sudden 8 years older come across very powerfully. Acting ...
pmcds 03.04.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Flight Of The Navigator (DVD)
Advantages: Original story, nice music, character growth, something for all the family Disadvantages: Special Effects dated by todays stanards (but they do hold up)
...way now. I think Flight of the Navigator is one of these few "kiddy" movies that can actually offer something to everyone of all ages that watches it. I only wish there was more films today to this kind of standard!
The special effects are now dated by today's standards of course, but they work great in the films context. There's some wonderful music pieces thrown in, which are inspire the mystery and wonder. With an original story that I've never ...
Rayman1986 16.01.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Flight Of The Navigator (DVD)
This film is a classic. No doubt about it - this is a classic, and as such is absolutely unmissable.
Presumably everyone in the world has already seen it, as it is on at least once every Christmas.
If you haven't watch this film, WATCH IT. If you have, you know you want to watch it again.
So whats it about...?
A boy, of 12, was sent into the woods to fetch his younger brother. His brother proceeds to jump out of the tree and run home. However, ... ...searching, there is no sign of him.
But then, 8 years later, he turns up, looking exactly as he did, 8 years ago.
As the story unfolds we are taken on a supreme journey.
Yes, ok, this is supposed to be a kids film, but its just such a classic, it brings back those childhood days. Everyone will love it. ...
DavidBell2000 03.12.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Flight Of The Navigator (DVD)
Advantages: Cool special effects and Story is ok Disadvantages: Hazy during the time the boy goes unconscious
A 12 year old boy David,living in Fort lauderdale Florida a normal kid like any other in 1978 has to pickup his younger brother from a friends house.He gets scared by his brother in a small prank and right after that moment he falls into a ravine and is unconscious.
As he wakes up he is in 1986,where did the years go? He manages to make contact with cops who do a check on him and by surprise see a 12 year old missing boy as he was then.
The boy ... ...elderly couple live there and he freaks out and wishes to find his real folks.
The parents and the boy reunite and scientists eventually do science experiments on him to find out what has happened with him.This goes on to lead to the boy sending out strange signals from his brain and a voice keeps calling to the boy which then leads him to a flying UFO that the scientists have stored at the high security base.
Dave is scared as he does'nt know ...
silverkinguk 23.01.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful Review of Flight Of The Navigator (DVD)
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Advantages: 2 of the best films in a box! great value for money Disadvantages: nothing!
!! Definatly worth watching....
Rating: PG
Run time: 98 minutes (wish it was longer!!)
Features: Scene selection, Interview with Syd Mead (robot designer), and Interview with Eric Allard (robot special effects supervisor)
The second film featured is 'Flight of the Navigator' which is just as equally worth watching! Another family film this time directed by Randal Kleiser, suprisngly it's actually a Disney film, but don't be put off....this ones got an original plot!
12 Year old David (Joey Cramer) fell in the woods whilst looking for his little brother , he was knocked unconcious and what seemed to be only minutes he awoke to find that he'd lost 8 years of his life. The town had changed, and everyone had reported him missing, but after 8 years was pressumed dead. Now David's little brother had become his big brother ...
A 12 year-old boy is mysteriously abducted by an alien space craft and returns to Earth eight years later, still only 12. He now has great navigational powers, which enable him to fly his spaceship anywhere he desires.
Release details
DVD Region
DVD
Studio(s)
CINEMA CLUB; SONY DADC
Release date
15/09/2003
No of Discs
1
Catalogue No
CCD 9784
Barcode
5014138297848
Languages
Main Language
English
Technical information
Aspect Ratio
16:9 Anamorphic Wide Screen
Sound
Dolby Digital Stereo
Dubbing Sound
Dolby Digital Stereo English
Professional reviews
Review
"...Pleasant....The script plays to director Randal Kleiser's strength, which is a sensitivity and conviction in depicting young people in relation to one another and their parents..." (Los Angeles Times, p.C5, 31/07/1986)
"...A lively and touching adventure....So absorbing, such constant fun, that it may well be the best family film around..." (New York Times, p.C18, 30/07/1986)
"...Entertaining....Kids should be attracted by the visuals and some nifty special effects..." (Variety, 30/07/1986)
DVD Description
A 12-year-old boy is mysteriously abducted by an alien ship and returns to Earth eight years later, still only 12. He now possesses great navigational powers that enable him to fly his space ship anywhere he desires. Along with the robotic Commander Max and Mascot Puckmarin, the boy encounters an adventure of extraterrestrial proportions.
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