Hey you, please log in! I am also at Dooyoo and Epinions, and variations of my reviews may also be f...
Hey you, please log in! I am also at Dooyoo and Epinions, and variations of my reviews may also be found there :P I am a home educating parent, as well as a freelance author. Wish me luck, I am attempting to learn Japanese! with my children
Member since:16.08.2001
Reviews:254
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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.
Pictures of Flight Of The Navigator (DVD)
David
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good review and good film, although I didn't know it was peewee herman who was max's voice - (I'd rather I didn't know now, cos I can't stand the guy) - still, I'll try to ignore that when I watch it with my daughter.
bilbob20 05.04.2007 17:14
I LOVE this film. Its my favourite film from when I was a kid, and I recently purchased it on DVD, and its still great. I loved your review as well, really well written. And for the person mentioning special features, there are none.
arnoldhenryrufus 13.03.2007 18:13
I enjoyed this, but haven't seen it for years - lyn x
Advantages: Original story, nice music, character growth, something for all the family Disadvantages: Special Effects dated by todays stanards (but they do hold up)
Advantages: Original story, nice music, character growth, something for all the family Disadvantages: Special Effects dated by todays stanards (but they do hold up)
![Flight Of The Navigator [DVD] [1987]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/78516299.jpg "Flight Of The Navigator [DVD] [1987]")
Mar 6th, 2007
(Mar 7th, 2007)
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