I like the part where River is saying to Ethan that his computer has 12k of memory. 12,000 bytes of memory power. WOW I have documents longer than that. but that was all they had. Watch old movies for computers back then, it is fun. Later
A true pleasure. I had forgotten just how lush and joyous this music is. Have been a lifelong admirer of Goldsmith's work, but listening to this just now, for the first time in what seems like decades, it reminds me how much it seems like, well, Christmas music. Regardless of what you think/thought of the movie, this has a really uplifting vibe. music.
We were the last generation before the world changed. Having no mobile phones or social media was a blessing in disguise. The imagination. The wonder. The creativity. Playing out with friends. Exploring. Everything was real. If you’re young and reading this, please live your life… your real life, not the virtual one. Spend time with your family as much as you can. Talk to that kid in school that nobody else does. If you don’t understand why I’m saying this now, one day you will. Now go out there and own it.
As a son of a scifi fan, I was introduced to lots of classic science fiction. This film connected with me when I was younger, because of that. I loved the film then and I love it now.
Ethan Hawke was just some kid actor's friend, and during casting they were like "hey you wanna read some lines?" Joe Dante (guy who made the movie) said in an interview "the production house changed hands in the middle of filming" and that there was a whole 3rd act missing. Budget was cut in the middle of filimg too. Best part of my childhood was being introduced to fun sciencey movies like this. Concepts of the inertial field are super impressive.
Wow, I remember watching this movie for the first time in the theater as a young child. This really brings back memories. The movie was good up until the end alien scenes where it started to get corny. Another great soundtrack by Jerry Goldsmith !!
This was one of the best 80s movies it was great watching it as a kid. I think everyone just wanted to build that spaceship and fly in it. There has now been talks of remaking the explorer if its true cant wait to see how it turns out.
I just finished watching the movie after finding it at the library. So many memories of loving this as a kid. I went to Amazon to find the soundtrack, but it's of course out of print and 3rd party sellers have priced it around $35. So, thanks for this!
Couldn't agree more. Just spent the last hour or so, on a wet and windy afternoon, sampling old Goldsmith recordings on RU-vid, and came across this. Really fond memories.
the film flopped because of that catch 22 situation back in the 80s - it was good and ahead of its time. joe dante made films for people (kids) who appreciated escapism. I miss the 80s and im only 40.
I love this movie, except the lame ass alien ass holes in the end. They ruined the movie. If they remake this one day, the aliens should be more believable and less annoying. Great concept this movie has. Just needs to be done better.
A fantastic film ruined by a stupid parody of B-movies. Then again, they were making a point about the evils of humanity, which we rarely acknowledge. And the boy got the girl, so not all bad.
+Dan Warren (Forgottenretroworlds79) I think the point, more or less, was that aliens are just as curious as us. Our main character is OBSESSED with space and aliens, almost to the point where he wants to be one. The aliens are JUST like him, in reverse. They want to be humans. They both go by what limited information they have. The goofiness can simply be attributes to Joe Dante, as it's a staple of all his films. I'm actually OK with it, for the most part.
+ZyxthePest The aliens were more likely due to studios butting in and the films really chaotic production history. Dante himself says he has a hard time rewatching the film, because it deviated so much from the original course. (Although he is respectful of the fans who like the film.)
Nathan Gatten Dante actually worked the aliens in as the ending of the film (which the original script didn't have). His concerns were more with the dropped plot lines (all of which were shot).
Another point being "be careful what you wish for". *SPOILER ALERT* - The boys travel to space and meet actual *aliens*, only to discover that the aliens are kids themselves (and end up getting grounded for stealing their dad's "car" to meet them). *END SPOILER* - But on the other hand, even if the destination left something to be desired, what they did was magical in itself (and the film ends with a tantalising promise that they'll be doing it again when they're a little older, and get it right).
