The movie was ok until they went to space. There it become very childish and did not appeal to me.
It is a fun children's science fiction.
Movie was great until the kids finally got aboard the space ship, then it turned just plain idiotic, in total conflict with the first part of the movie.
Like a roast beef marshmallow: no consistency, no structure and not very sweet.
Joe Dante delivers a film without a plot, without a narrative and without an antagonist. Fortunately, there's the presence of sweet baby angel River Phoenix in the midst of his pure ascension as a rising star, a preteen Ethan Hawke, and practical special effects by Industrial Light and Magic, so it's not a total waste.
Still, I fell asleep during the last 20 minutes so went back to watch what I'd missed, and this was my worst mistake of the day.
Shout by buddhalouVIP 3BlockedParent2018-12-31T07:27:24Z
So the movie didn't age all that well, but damn, it sure got the 80s nostalgia fired up. Somewhat bittersweet though as seeing Ethan Hawke and River Phoenix that young made me feel super old. Not so fun fact: 2 of these kids (Phoenix and Amanda Peterson) died of drug overdoses. Enjoy the movie!