It's a surprise to me to hear for the first time that they thought this movie was a failure. I loved this movie as a kid along with the flight of the navigator and d.a.r.y.l.
I loved this as a kid, and i love the movie in my 40s Something about the 1st hr of the movie, so magical and i always dreamed of going through the same type of experience? As a kid, Classic 80s film for me and my brother. My brother still talks about this movie to this day. I get excited when he does...
It was also one of my favourtie films, though I do think the first half of the movie is stronger than the 2nd. I also did not realise this was a failure. Everyone I know who saw it liked it.
I'm in the same shoes. I first saw this movie when first out on VHS, then the year after I got my friend to pirate tape it. I watched only my favourite bits of it though, which was more in the 1st half, and yeah I too imagined doing the same things and tried to reenact them. I was even around the same age.
I went and saw this at a AMC theater in a mall and i think it's a awesome movie, practical effects, the chemistry between the cast, the humor, ending could have been a little darker, sorta along the lines of the Aliens were trying to warn\prepare for something coming to 🌎, but this is a great movie
@Units Received the film was a slight satire on Syfy films. The main character is obsessed with them and when he finally gets up to space he realizes that they watch the same kind of stuff on TV that he does. While he has a fascination with aliens, the aliens have a fascination with humans, but the movies and TV distort everything, that seems to be the message here along with: follow your dreams. The adult trooper in the film did not follow his, but still ended up becoming a helicopter pilot which is close enough I guess. The film is deeper than you think, it has a good bit of CGI for the dream sequences, the last act is a bit tough to handle, but again we find out that the aliens are just kids that took their father's spaceship for a run, just like the main characters are kids building a spaceship without their parents knowing.
explorers was the most intriguing movie of my childhood. The dreams scenes are priceless in our common future and what is it to be "aware". I still love this movie so much. Share it with your kids
@@nelsonhibbert5267 That's really cool I'm glad I read your comment today. Wow the feelings a great movie can stir up is amazing. Also who you shared them with or where you were or what you were doing at that moment. Cool thanks for sharing that.
@@j-rocd9507 You're welcome! Yeah music can do the same thing, remind you of a time and a place, or a person. I had no clue where I was going in life at one point and went from one job to another, and I believe I ended up in the trade I did as a direct influence of the build scene. If it wasn't for this I might not have a house to live in. But I often wonder if Wolfgang filled out all the job cards and over-signed all the paperwork....
Well they released it the same day as the Live Aid concert because the studio (Paramount) didn't have any faith in it. Had they allowed it to be finished... who knows.
I still repeat lines from this movie. The acting for child stars was superb. Every actor, including the forgotten boy.. can't recall his name. The one that played Daren.. every one of them were fantastic. The kid that played Daren was also in "Saturday The 14th Strikes Back" the sequel to Saturday the 14th. It's extremely hard to find.
I think I remember that movie. He also had a small role in Gremlins 2. I had a friend called Darren, who looked like him, and another who looked like River Phoneix. Perfect trio, cause I identified as Ben.
I was Explorers in the theater at least twice. I loved the movie and it really resonated with me when I was a child. I think they could have done a bit better with the aliens at the end, but I still like to pull this movie out every few years and watching it, and it brings back those childhood memories. Thank you Ethan Hawke!
I was in love with Ethan from afar, as his character was in love with the girl in the movie from afar. (Incidentally, I learned what Shakespeare's Roxanne was, from Explorer's.) From their characters in Explorers, loved River Phoenix, but I was IN LOVE with Ethan Hawke. A boy who was gentle and kind to girls and naturally helped to bring out the gentle, kind side of his tough guy friend, too!? An absolute DREAM! His acting really conveyed a wide- eyed wonder and hope. More than that, he did a perfect job at expressing earnestness, humility, vulnerability... and mostly *empathy*. He was innocently and genuinely concerned with River Phoenix's tough character, enough to stay by his side when he needed a compassionate person in his life. He saw that the reason why his friend was so tough was the result of being abused. And he didn't judge him, look down on him, or run away from him. He was a real friend to him. And that's why River's character was a real friend, in return. They both learned from each other and protected each other in different ways. They were both diamonds in the rough. They had both been isolated, but found togetherness and strength in their friendship. And together they achieved impossible dreams. The movie was deep, but also fun and cute. The movie helped kids deal with very real issues. Abuse, neglect, unstable home lives, being poor, bullying at school, repression, isolation, loneliness, desperation, and depression. The movie NEEDED the goofy juxtaposition to lighten the heavy load. River was clearly an amazing actor and a beautiful soul... and so is Ethan. E.T. was good and all, but Explorers has a very special place in Gen X's hearts. Knowing that in high school Ethan had to basically take the same kind of bullying IRL that his character from Explorer's did, but without an outcast tough guy to defend him and a bubble to float off into space in... that's harsh. Thats probably why he did such a good job on the movie "Reality Bites"! For real!
I must have created a bubble of "Explorers love" when I was a kid that I never stepped out of because I didn't even realize this movie was considered a failure. I didn't realize that it only had a "cult" following. Haha! I guess I'm in a cult and didn't even know it. To this day I walk around work singing the "All around the world" song the alien sings at the end and everyone thinks I'm crazy. I guess this explains that a bit. Haha!
UstedTubo187 I saw it when I was 12 or 13.... It was on Beta video tape. My parents had rented it because I love ET. I love it... Didn't know it was a flop. The aliens were kinda cheesy though looking back. Lol!
Definitely cheesy! Haha! And I didn't care then or now! Haha! I'm pretty sure my folks still have the VHS tape my sister and I used to watched it on unless we completely wore it out like so many other childhood favorites. I'm glad to know I'm not alone.
Being a kid in the 80s, movie love was more intimately connected with video stores and rental shops than about the cinema culture. Bladerunner, Explorers, Dredd 3D, and more, these are films with passionate followings that first saw the film on video. Hollywood has never taken video as success, they want red carpets, opening night, long runs and critical praise. But cult hits defy that whole process. It's a Wonderful Life was a flop, that's why it akways played on tv. Flops could be bought by a TV station for cheap filler, no demand, low price. On tv it found its cult following.
@@ravissary79 100% this. We were too young to be taken to a movie without being a complete PITA, so we didn't see it until it was on video, but all of our friends and my brother and I used to get it rented* ALL. THE. TIME. everyone I knew growing up in my corner of London knew it intimately and loved it. Also, sidebar because it needs mentioning: Explorers has one of the best theme songs of its era, possibly of all time!! :) *We were pre-teens, WE didn't rent it, it was mostly our grandma!
Explorers is a great movie. I will never forget it. It was the first time that I went to the movies with friends from school. We were so excited coming out from the cinema. Those were great days! Thanks to all of them involved in this movie.
I had 10 yrs old when I saw Explorers in the cinema. Was the best movie I never seen. I remember I come back to the cinema to see it again and then dont leave in it at the end.. I waited 2 hs inside watching another proyection to see Explorers again. Was magic and then I bought my first computer, Commodore 64. Was a magic movie
He was apart of something great. Imo and for me personally a good childhood memory is priceless these days. He sacrificed some of his childhood for me. I hope he receives that someday. ❤
Sad that he considers that movie as a failure, that was one of my favorite films growing up as a kid. I would watch Explorers, The Last Starfighter, Big Trouble in Little China, TRON, and Transformers: The Movie, so many times that I think my VHS tapes wore out. In the end it might have been a blessing in disguise. If it had blown up, he might have had a completely different life as a child star like his co-star River Phoenix, who was used up and spat out by the Hollywood movie machine, ultimately passing away from drug abuse.
I loved it and I think that it is classic science/fiction of the 80s that made everyone wonder what is out there. It is as good the Flight of the navegatior and the Last Starfighter.
I love that movie. I still watch it a few times a year. I place that movie on the same level as any of the other great 80s sci-fi movies. Whatever one you can name. I still enjoy it.
I loved that movie! I still can't see a bubble today without thinking about it. I just added it to my Netflix DVD list. I can't wait to see how it's aged.
Everyone liked it but nobody wanted to admit they liked it. Kind of like the bee gees and ABBA. Now it is safe for everyone to admit they like it. Great 80s movie. Right up there with war games, goonies, ET, et al.
This was a childhood epic for me as soon as it hit the video stores - like my friends and I watched it at least once every three months total epic. It's baffling that this was not received well, and I acknowledge the tonal shift (frying-pan in the face-level shift) in the third act, but for me that was a huge part of its charm.
I loved that movie. I was a kid. I think about now... and if the 'adults' at that time era, feel is a 'failure', it may be because they aren't a kid. Today, now I'man adult, and really enjoy it. Specially the ''all around the world ' scene. Which by the moment, I didn't know. Now is one of my favorites of all time.
Agree with so many others, I grew up watching this movie over and over as a kid, even saw it in the theater with my parents. Like so many movies that come out and miss the success but mean so much for so many who aren't professional critics. Absolutely adore Explorers.
I agree with all the other positivity about this movie, and I'm not a cult movie follower. It was a very well done 80s movie. I'd blame marketing for its low numbers. I still remember seeing the preview for this movie. I only saw 1. I had no idea what it was or what it was about. Then a week later my friend mentioned it casually. But I heard nothing else about it until they started syndicating it on HBO or Showtime (or Movie Channel if it was still around). It was awesome. Anybody I ask about this movie (that has seen it) loves it. I even think there could be a sequel dealing with their kids. It seems tacky but it could work, using Joaqin Phoenix as the grown up version of River Phoenix (RIP).
This film to me was a childhood ultimate movie that I could relate to and at the time believed it was real and me and my friends could do this. Lol sound mad now but movies like this with kids in it made our life’s be fun and enjoy, I’m kinda hurt to hear the movie was a flop but I’m struggling to believe this as it was brilliant…
Im also 41. Going to the video store in Sydney Australia, when i was like 10 or so years old. And taking the gamble on the front cover, and seeing the cool cover with the fence and the light shinning behind it. in the dark with the stars shinning all over? Got me super excited. Must of rented the film 100s of times.
It's amusing to me how girls in high school were impressed by rumors that Ethan "knew" River Phoenix. I guess this was long before the Internet; otherwise, they could've automatically found out that not only did he "know" Phoenix, but co-starred in a Hollywood movie with him.
I think he meant "might've known River Phoenix outside of the movie", because those girls most likely saw the movie, for the fact that a kid from their school was in it.
Never thought of this movie as a failure. I just figured it wasn't marketed very well, since I never heard of it till it was out of VHS, which is when I first saw it at 12. For the next couple of years this movie was regular viewing for me. Interesting to hear that it was his mom that prevented him from doing any more films growing up. I always wondered why I didn't see him again till Dead Poets Society.
i love explorers. just watched it again. it's a 80's movie that can be placed in the same row as e.t. , goonies, gremlins etc. also loved little richards "all around the world" in the movie. it's a schock to me that it was a flop.
It’s amazing. Explorers was a movie with actors nobody heard of except that Joe Dante/Roger Corman regular Dick Miller and Stretch Cunningham from All in the Family. Who would have known River Phoenix would have been a huge star the next several years and on every teen magazine cover from 1986-early 1990’s, the main character from The Stone Boy completely forgotten after this, and the star of this movie a complete unknown at release and remained so until 4 years later with Dead Poet’s Society.
I saw this movie when it came out when I was a kid. I loved the movie and thought it was very underappreciated. As a kid movies like this were very inspirational. In the 1980's you could take anything electronics, open it up, and hack it. Kids these days dont do that. They dont open a ipad and start hacking it. It's very disappointing. I don't see the level of interest in kids these days to understand how things work, how do make some better. There's no just innovation. Kids are more afraid of saying something offensive then getting their hands dirty and tinkering with stuff.
I watched It in my neighborhood cinema. They played Explorers and Back to the Future in a continued session, so you could see the two movies two times. I entered at 4 pm and came out by 11:30 pm. I did that from Friday to the next Thursday, when the changed the program.
Just wish I could sit down with Ethan for five minutes and let him know how much Explorers changed my life, and how much I loved it. Saw it in the theater as a 10 year old boy. Here I am 46 still watching Explorers clips online and they make me smile. Movie would’ve sucked hard without all 3 of the boys that starred, but I totally related to Ethan’s character the most.
I know this is an old video but Mr Ethan Hawke don't worry we all grew up watching this movie and we loved it as kids and we still love it now as adults it brings a smile to our face or a tear in the eye....just as we loved goonies.. and now we watch it with our children and laugh like crazy like we did so many years ago .
Explorers was a great movie. The only problem with that movie was when the Aliens show up. It became way too cheesy after that. But up until that point in the movie, Explorers is a fantastic film. I highly recommend it.
Ethan Hawke was a complete unknown and never did an acting job in his life when Explorers came out. I can’t imagine how it hurt him when he was like 13-14 years old and this wasn’t a hit at all, yet a year later, River Phoenix was an object of preteen girl crushes until his death. But four years later, Ethan would score big as the sweet-natured and socially awkward Todd in Dead Poet’s Society and go from there to success (though I hated that sappy “Dad” movie) And I absolutely loved his role as the kid-at-heart dad in Boyhood! Great guy and a father every Millennial kid would love to have!
Fricken love this movie. The only thing they could have done better was the last 25% of the movie -- the goofy shit with Robert Picardo and weird aliens was a bit goofy but I still love it to death. The first 75% of the movie defines my childhood. I watched it as a small child and it entranced me, and it took me another decade or more to actually remember and find which movie it was.
This movie was so underrated by some stupid ass critics... This was one of my favorite sci-fi sensation movies of my childhood...I always thought that this was an enjoyable movie that was fun to watch with a lot of timeless moments like, when the dog was given chewing gum in exchange for a free pass, when Wolfgang was caught up in the sphere going out of control into underground, and one of my favorites was when Wolfgangs little brother kept catapulting food at his dad, and his mother says to him "Keep your projectiles to yourself!"... In my my mind & personal opinion I never found a dull moment in this movie... In some aspects it was very educational, but at the same time, I never found one boring moments in this film... Unforgettable sci-fi movie & not to mention one of my favorites of my childhood
i feel bad. he’s still hurt talking about it. poor baby ethan was let down. i was also surprised when i found out the movie i watched growing up didnt do well initially. must have been heart breaking for a kid.
I loved and still love Explorers. Just not the last third. All the leads were really good. So exciting and inspirational with those dreams and that sphere!
It was a rare 80s gem 💎 a diamond in the rough we need more movies like this today I thought it was great when I was a kid I haven't seen it in about 30 years wouldn't mind watching it again as an adult
I love that movie in the same way i love Xanadu. I won't proclaim it from the rooftops but every few years i need to see it and it's dragged from the movie closet. It helps me momentarily reconnect with a more enthusiastic version of myself.
Bro I'm 47 and this still a good movie. There are early movies that are shit. Its hilarious cause he feels embarrassed but I'm like dude it still holds up. I can list 100 horrible 80s movies. this ain't one. As a combat veteran, dude stand your ground.
