Review of Explorers (1985) by Jason O — 22 Aug 2009
After doing 18-rated horror films like Piranha and The Howling, and as a follow-up to his biggest hit Gremlins. Director Joe Dante opted for a U-rated sci-fi fantasy film, pitched somewhere between E.T.
and The Goonies. This had a troubled production, but it's a lovely, sweet family film with a good young trio at it's heart, and the special effects were good for it's time. It has 3 friends, Ben Crandall (Ethan Hawke), Wolfgang Müller (River Phoenix), and Darren Woods (Jason Presson), who embark on a brilliant adventure.
It all happens after Ben has a dream involving a circuit board, and he turns to Wolfgang, a geeky computer whizz who interprets Ben's dream of the circuit board, and it creates a bubble which can be moved around by computer.
They can move the size of it, and they end up building a home-made space craft called Thunder Road, made from a funfair ride seat and a washing machine. They're able to use the bubble to move around, and they end up in space, and discover where Ben's dream came from.
It's a sweet, innocent little film, well made too. All three kids are lovely and carry the film wonderfully, lookout for appearances from James Cromwell and Dante's regular Dick Miller. Jerry Goldsmith does a wonderful score and Rob Bottin's make-up is also exquisite.
Joe Dante needs to make more films like this!!
This review of Explorers (1985) was written by Jason O on 22 Aug 2009.
Explorers has generally received positive reviews.
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