Friday, April 3, 1998 | 8:58 a.m.
Grades: Jeff, B; Dave, B-.
Starring: Gary Oldman, William Hurt, Matt LeBlanc, Mimi Rogers, Heather Graham, Lacey Chabert, Jack Johnson and Dick Tufeld as the voice of the Robot.
Screenplay: Akiva Goldsman.
Director: Stephen Hopkins.
Rated: PG-13 for adult situations, violence and profanity.
Running time: 120 minutes.
Playing at: Las Vegas Drive-In, Century Orleans 12, Century Desert 16, Cinedome 12 Henderson, ACT III Texas Station, ACT III Sunset Station, ACT III Village Square, UA Rainbow Promenade and UA Showcase mall.
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Synopsis: A sci-fi adventure about a family's ill-fated intergalactic voyage aboard a sabotaged spaceship. Inspired by the popular television series, but with a contemporary storyline.
Jeff: Danger, Will Robinson! Danger! "Lost in Space," one my favorite campy '60s series from producer Irwin Allen, comes to the big screen with a high-tech, '90s facelift. This exciting new version, unlike the TV show, is a dark futuristic marvel that has exploding planets, spaceship dogfights, silicon flesh-eating spiders and everybody's favorite talking robot named ... uhh, The Robot. It never did have a name. The Robot has been updated with a menacing new look by Jim Henson's Creature Shop. The family spacecraft, the Jupiter 2, appears this time as a more lustrous, futuristic, oval- shaped ship (complete with Hyperdrive) that's a marvel to behold. "Lost in Space" is a stunning visual odyssey.
Dave: Usually these sorts of ventures from the small screen to the silver screen are hit or miss: "The Fugitive" vs. "The Beverly Hillbillies" or "Mission: Impossible" vs. "The Saint." In the latest offering, the filmmakers had a choice of either sticking with the campiness that is associated with the hit series, or using the show's original concept as a sophisticated sci-fi story. Thankfully, they chose the latter. However, that does not mean that the camp is totally void from this picture.
Jeff: The camp is void in this version, Dave. This is hard-core Science Fiction. Sure, there are some references for fans of the old show (Dr. Smith's famous quotes, for example), but this version has a whole new look and feel of serious Sci-Fi. The happy family unit of the '60s show gives way to a dysfunctional family of 2058. No one gets along. So, what better family to shoot into space to explore the Alpha Prime sector? This isn't the TV show.
Dave: By camp, Jeffrey, I mean the film's cameos by members of the original series, and the voice of the robot by Dick Tufeld, who did the voice of the original robot 30 years ago. It adds a bit of camp to the production that certainly is not needed, but doesn't hurt either. What does hurt is a labored second half that seems to lag after a thrilling adventure through space.
Screenwriter Akiva Goldsman (responsible for the last two "Batman" flicks) seems to think that time travel is a brilliant revelation in science fiction. As far as I'm concerned, the notion is weak and contrived for a cult story that is already established as a family lost in space and experiencing the dangers of the unknown.
Jeff: The Robinsons aren't the only thing to become "lost" in space. The second half of the movie eventually becomes lost. When we crash on this unknown planet, the film fizzles out and becomes stagnant and, at times, borderline boring. Goldsman comes up with time travel, a concept the "Star Trek" franchise has overused. Time travel again? (Groan!)
Where are the cool monsters or alien life forms for us to meet? All we get are space spiders? Didn't I see those in "Tron"? Where is the wonder of the unknown? Where is the Robinsons' space chariot to roam the planet's surface? (It was damaged in the crash, so we can't use it or even see it). We do get a computer-generated monkey called the "Blawp," which is the most annoying, stupid ... "Warning! Warning! My sensors indicate foul language approaching!" Oops, sorry. Thanks, Robot.
Dave: Enough of that. Let's delve into the impressive cast, which includes an amusing Gary Oldman as the devious Dr. Smith. The tragedy, however, is that Oldman is left underused. Here is a character with depth and personality, plus the perfect actor to play him, yet he is banished to solitary confinement, where we never see him. What a rip! As for "Friends" star Matt LeBlanc, he is a surprise as the handsome and dashing Major Don West. He may be the first of his male counterparts from the hit comedy show to make an impact on the big screen.
Jeff: LeBlanc should've stayed at home with "Friends" and off the Jupiter 2. He was humdrum. Dr. Smith's renowned fake friendship with Will Robinson was mishandled and thrown together in the last moment of the movie. And as for Lacey Chabert as Penny, making her feature film debut, her talent is obvious. Tufeld as the voice of the Robot is the best surprise. It wouldn't be the same without him. Don't forget to try to spot the cameos of the original television cast. Here's a hint: Two of them are missing from the film.
So, should fans of the TV show see "Lost In Space"? You bet! The new movie keeps to the heart of the original and pays tribute to the TV series. Plus, it has fantastic direction by Stephen Hopkins, the stunning visual display of production designer Norman Garwood and a grand, cosmic score by Bruce Broughton. Now, get "Lost." You'll have a blast.
NEW ON VIDEO:
"The Little Mermaid"(Walt Disney Home Video; Rated G; VHS/ Laserdisc/DVD; Grade, A:) It's back -- Disney's 28th animated feature that began an awakening in the world of theatrical animation and a whole new era of classics for the Walt Disney company! Based on the fairy tale by Hans Christian Anderson, it's a modest love story about Ariel, a teenage mermaid who falls for a land-locked prince and will do anything to be with him. To that end, she swims off to the lair of the "Sea Witch" and, in exchange for her voice, is granted lungs and a pair of legs to walk the Earth to pursue her true love. Full of colorful characters and Oscar-winning songs by the Disney wonder team of Ashman and Menken, this is truly a modern family classic. One of my favroites.
"The Ice Storm"(Fox Searchlight Home Video; Rated R; VHS/ Laserdisc/DVD, Grade, A:) Here is a film that could have been found in a time capsule from the 1970s. Critically acclaimed director Ang Lee ("Sense and Sensibility") tells the story of two suburban families intertwined for varying reasons.
Kevin Kline plays the philandering husband whose affair with his neighbor's wife (a savvy Sigourney Weaver) mirrors the adolescence of their own children's curiosity towards puberty. The parents' neglect and selfish needs are juxtaposed with their kids' actions, ending in a tragic accident on the night of a wicked ice storm. The entire cast delivers sound performances, and, mixed with an incredible sense of coldness, they create the very vulnerable aspect of their lives. Never before has a film captured the isolation of the human soul so vividly, along with an incriminating look into the social lifestyle of 1973. So ... key party, anyone?
VIEWPOINT
We know what all of Las Vegas is wondering: How can we meet The Movie Guys? Here's your chance. We're having a party tonight and you're invited. Join us along with Lt. Governor Lonnie L. Hammargren and 1998 Miss Nevada, Tammie Rankin, in launching the opening weekend of "Lost in Space." Tonight's opening ceremonies will be in the lobby of the United Artists Showcase Theaters, next to the MGM Grand, starting at 6. There will be a presentation by Lt. Governor Hammargren recognizing 12 Las Vegas area students for their outstanding academic achievements and their interest in aerospace education -- and that's not all.
We will broadcast our radio show, "Quiet on the Set," live from the Showcase mall from 7 to 8 p.m. on KVBC ("Hot Talk") 105.1 FM, with chances for listeners to win "Lost in Space" merchandise and tickets to a special 8 p.m. "Lost in Space" screening hosted by The Movie Guys. Sounds like fun, huh?
So, whatever plans you had for tonight -- postpone them. Get "Lost" with The Movie Guys and join us for an event that is out of this world. "Danger! Danger! My sensors indicate a good time for all!" I couldn't have put it better, Robot.
NAME THAT FLICK
"Sorry folks, the park is closed. The moose outside should've told ya." That didn't stop Janice Kolb from identifying the quote from "National Lampoon's Vacation," spoken by the world's funniest security guard, John Candy. Next time, remember to call Wally World before you visit, Janice.
Now, for this week's quote -- and in honor of baseball's opening week -- who said this and in what film: "Walt Whitman once said, 'I see great things in baseball. It's our game. The American game. It will repair our losses and be a blessing to us.' You could look it up." Does it sound familiar? If it does, call us at 225-9026 or e-mail us at [email protected]. Be sure to spell your name and leave your daytime phone number, and if your the first correct caller/e-mailer, we will print your name right here in our column.
Batter up!
THE MOVIE GUYS, starring Jeff Howard and Dave Neil, appears every Friday in the SUN (additional material provided by Thomas Feeney). You can also read their capsule reviews of movies in Scope magazine; listen to their reviews and commentary every Friday at 7 p.m. on their radio show "Quiet on the Set" on KVBC 105.1-FM; and watch their reviews every Friday on Channel 3's 11 p.m. newscast. Plus, check them out online at: www.lasvegassun.com/sun/sunlife/movies.
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