Review of Explorers (1985) by James L — 23 Apr 2006

[font=Courier New][i]The Explorers[/i] was a film I have never heard of before. Though it stars actors I know and respect ( though they were young when the movie was made) and the movie is directed by Joe Dante, I can honestly say I never knew this movie existed. I figured this would be a decent watch. And in a lot of ways it is. But with all its neat ideas, this movie had no idea how to end itself.

Ben Crandall (Ethan Hawke) has a dream one night about a circuit board. After drawing it from memory, he and his friends Wolfgang (River Phoenix) and Darren (Jason Presson) discover that it is the blueprint to a spacecraft. Once constructed, the trio take it into space and meet up with aliens. But this encounter isn?t what they, or myself, expected.

I will admit that the movie had be for the most part. I really liked the idea of these kids building this ship and actually traveling to space. But once the kids actually meet with the aliens, the movies takes an odd turn and just drags itself out for the remainder of the film.

I wanted to like this movie. It had imagination, and a really good cast. But the lackluster finale just doesn?t do it for me. The movie gives off so much promise, and it just doesn?t deliver in the end. But, I still feel this movie might be worth checking out. And I think even younger kids will find some merit in the film.

[i]The Explorers[/i] is one of those under $7 DVD?s, so it might not be too bad picking it up if you are curious about it. It is kind of weird seeing Ethan Hawke as a kid, which was part of the reason I actually got around to seeing this movie. [/font].