Seems like we're getting back on an even keel with the rating viewings now. Quite liking the new pag...
Seems like we're getting back on an even keel with the rating viewings now. Quite liking the new pages in a way. Thanks for all your rates.
Member since:07.11.2005
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When I was a kid, every Sunday I watched reruns of the popular drama, 'Lost In Space', about a family who went up into space and got lost (funny that, the title kind of gives it away!). So, when they made the decision to remake the series into a film, giving it a futuristic overhaul, I was really excited. The film was released in 1998, and its running time is 130 minutes.
The Plot
In the year 2058, scientists have realised that in order for the population of Earth to survive, they must relocate to somewhere outside the planet, for it is dying. The Robinson family are sent into space to colonise 'Alpha Prime' to see if this is possible, yet they find themselves literally lost in space when the sinister Smith stows away. Dr John Robinson and family then find themselves searching for a way back home and fighting for their own survival, let alone that of the Earth. Armed with the latest state of the art gadgetry and a hot shot military man, Major Don West, the Robinsons see adventure after adventure as they try to find their way back.
The Cast and Performances, and then My Opinion!
The cast list is an impressive one. William Hurt and Mimi Rogers plays Dr and Mrs Robinson, Heather Graham is one of the Robinson daughters, and Matt LeBlanc plays the gung ho marine with the hots for Heather Graham! These are all proven actors and actresses in their own right, and you expect a stellar performance from them. So, do we get one? No, we do not! The acting is wooden and contrived, and almost likle they are reading from a script. LeBlanc is almost wooden as the marine West, although his character does have some impressive lines. The atmosphere provided by the rest of the aforementioned cast is more depressing and boring than anything else.
At points I ask myself whether this is because of a naff script, with writers relying on the reputation of a hit TV series to pull them through over two hours of weak plot. And it is weak. I think the combination of lacklustre acting and a weak plot makes the majority of the film quite missable, to be honest, and it is rare I say this about a film. I generally like anything and everything.
There are three redeeming features about this film that mean I have it on DVD and will probably watch it every couple of years or so.
Firstly, the one main character that I have not mentioned much about is Smith, the stowaway. This character is played by Gary Oldman in such fine form that I wonder if the scriptwriters had completely overlooked everything other than his character. The interaction he has with the young Jack Johnson playing Will Robinson is very good, and leads to an important plotline towards the end. Oldman is brilliant in this.
Secondly, the special effects on show here are very good indeed. There is a sequence with hundreds and thousands of spiders, and the interaction the FX guys have made with Major West has been done superbly. There is also an element of wonderful special effects towards the end, too, but I will not reveal this for fear of ruining the plot somewhat.
The third redeeming feature of the film is the plot twist that occurs at the end. It involves a wonderful turn of performance from some of the cast, and really makes you think about how things have been integrated all throughout the film. The film ends very well indeed.
Conclusion
I am going to rate this film as 2 stars, and I am not going to recommend it. It has a couple of redeeming features, but that is not enough to make a bad film good. Wooden acting and a lacklustre script are not enough for such a promising production. Gary Oldman is misplaced as the only good performance from a host of top names.
The DVD extras include some information on the crew, some deleted scenes and trailers, and a music video, which is a normal set of extras for a 1-disc DVD. The other feature is involving special effects, and is very interesting.
The DVD is currently available from amzon.co.uk for £5.98 new, and £1.73 used.
Thanks for reading.
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Production Year: 2007 - Science Fiction - Director: Francis Lawrence - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Alice Braga, Charlie Tahan, Dash Mihok, Will Smith, Salli Richardson, Willow Smith
Production Year: 2005 - Science Fiction - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Tricia Helfer, James Callis, Jamie Bamber, Katee Sackhoff, Mary McDonnell, Edward James Olmos
Packed with more than 750 dazzling visual effects, this US$70 million adventure does more ... more
(and less) than give the 1965-68 TV series a state-of-the-art face-lift. Aimed at an audience that wasn't born when the series originally aired, the sci-fi extrav...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Packed with more than 750 dazzling visual effects, this US$70 million adventure does more ... more
(and less) than give the 1965-68 TV series a state-of-the-art face-lift. Aimed at an audience that wasn't born when the series originally aired, the sci-fi extrav...
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![Lost In Space [DVD] [1998]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/78540675.jpg "Lost In Space [DVD] [1998]")
Mar 13th, 2008
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