Lost in Space

Reviewed by: Joe Blenkle

Rating:

Cast: Gary Oldman, William Hurt, Matt LeBlanc, Mimi Rogers, Heather Graham, Lacey Chabert, Jack Johnson, Jared Harris

Studio: New Line Cinema

Producer: Mark W. Koch, Stephen Hopkins, Akiva Goldsman, Carla Fry

Director: Stephen Hopkins

Screenplay: Akiva Goldsman

MPAA Rating: PG-13

Release Date: Apr. 3, 1998

Running Time: 122 Minutes

	Jack Johnson stars as Will Robinson in New Line Cinema's sci-fi family adventure Lost in Space. Lost in Space photo by Jack English. © 1998 New Line Cinema. All Rights Reserved.

    New Line Cinema teased Lost in Space fans for a year on their dangerwillrobinson.com web site with tantalizing looks at their new movie based on the 60s television series of the same name.
    Speculation ran wild on the Lost in Space internet mailing list: Which original cast members would be in the movie? What would the new Jupiter 2 spaceship look like? And the Robot? "Surely," the fans shouted, "they won't change the Robot!"
    Now all the questions have been finally answered as New Line Cinema's Lost in Space movie is in theaters nationwide.
    Things are different, but familiar enough that diehard fans of the old TV series won't be disappointed.
    Lost in Space is the tale of the Robinson family; Major Don West, the pilot of the spacecraft; and the evil Dr. Zachary Smith, who is out to destroy the Robinson's mission to colonize a planet far across the galaxy.
    The movie is based loosely on the first few episodes of the old TV series, as the mission is sabotaged and the Jupiter 2 and crew are hurled into unknown territory and are Lost in Space.
    William Hurt stars as Professor John Robinson, with a supporting cast of Mimi Rogers (Maureen Robinson), Matt LeBlanc (Maj. Don West), Gary Oldman (Dr. Zachary Smith), Heather Graham (Judy Robinson), Lacey Chabert (Penny Robinson) and Jack Johnson (Will Robinson).
    And for all you fans of the old Lost in Space television series, all but two of the surviving members of the cast make cameo appearances.
    All are brief, but enjoyable. June Lockhart (the old Maureen Robinson) plays Will's school principal, as Will "modifies" her holographic image as she gives a report on Will's behavior to his mom. Marta Kristen (Judy) and Angela Cartwright (Penny) play reporters, and Mark Goddard (Don) has the longest cameo as a general discussing the Jupiter mission with John Robinson.
    Not to be left out, Dick Tufeld reprises his role from the old TV series as the voice of the Robot.
    Unlike the campy series of the 60s, the Lost in Space movie is played straight. It's not without its funny moments, however, and yes, most revolve around Will, the Robot and Dr. Smith, although Don and Judy have their moments as well.
    But Lost in Space stands on its own as a film without falling back on the premise of the old TV show. The similarities are there, but then the film shoots off in an entirely new direction.
    The different, but same aspect carries over to the characters in the film, as well. The movie John Robinson is more intellectual than macho; Don West is arrogant rather than a hothead; Maureen plays a more forceful wife role than June Lockhart did on TV; Judy isn't so defenseless and is a doctor; Will seems smaller and younger, not to mention smarter; Penny is rebellious; and Dr. Smith is much more evil than Jonathan Harris' TV Dr. Smith.
    Special effects in the movie are fantastic. You'll see everything from a dogfight in outer space, to a futuristic Earth, to exploding planets and huge spaceships.
    Whether you are a Lost in Space fan or not, this movie stands as a great science fiction adventure. And don't be surprised if we see a Lost in Space 2 in the near future. The ending leaves the story wide open for a sequel.  Return to The Movie Corner