Flight of the Navigator

I bought this DVD, remembering how much I liked it back in the day. Sadly, this is one of those movies that simply does not stand the test of time. Maybe it's hearing Pee Wee Herman's voice again, post porn-theater, maybe it's Parker's pre-rhinoplasty nose, maybe it's the incredibly weak plot and terrible acting. Not to mention a sub-standard transfer to boot - I realize not everything is deserving of a Lucasfilm-style cleanup and remaster, but it looks like they just copied this directly from an old Blockbuster VHS tape.

It's not without it's positives, however. It's a "wholesome" family-friendly movie. There are no political agendas being pushed, nor is it rife with sexual innuendo like so many so-called kids movies today (Happy Feet, I'm lookin' at you...). So on that front, it's definitely worthwhile, if you're like me and saddened at the lack of truly family-oriented movies these days.

Apparently mine is a minority opinion, seeing how the ratings are 4s and 5s across the board, but I sold this after one viewing - it was enough to make me realize that some things are best left to nostalgic memories.

In this 1986 Disney flick, Veronica Cartwright (the whiny lady from 'Alien') played mother to a child kidnapped by a robotic space ship. Despite her best efforts, the plot sinks to an irritating low when the robot alien ship scans the child's mind and suddenly becomes Pee-wee Herman. Is any more commentary required? This is bad 1980's family movie-fluff, like Short Circuit, but more obnoxious. Watch it for sentimental value or for an ironic laugh at Disney's half-hearted critique of the xenophobia inherent in American foreign policy. Otherwise, entertain your kids with something more entertaining, like Veronica Cartwright's brilliant 1979 film 'Alien.'

The version I have on DVD is, unfortunately another victim of the trend of releasing great kid's films from the past in a "cleaned-up" version. The incident is very small, but I suppose I'm more upset because of the principle of censorship. There is a moment when the ships computer asks the central character David what it means when David says he has to use the bathroom. David tells Max to land, and then in a moment of frustration says that he has to take a "leak." I almost didn't notice this (since I haven't seen the film for at least 10 years), but there is even a line further on in the film (when the ship goes under water) that references said omission. David says he hopes that they don't get wet, to which the computer replies "I do not leak. You leak, remember?" I fortunately got this entertaining movie for a very low price (and it was nice to revisit a childhood favorite), but I would not have purchased this film had I known it was censored. (P.S.- Something similar happened with the re-release of "The Last Unicorn.")

What a terrific movie! Definately one to watch again and again. A little language, unfortunately, but overall, very satifiying.

This is definetly a classic!! I showed my kids this & that became an instant movie to watch!