Lost in Space (1998)

Good watch, could watch again, and can recommend. This feels a little dated, given the more recent "Lost in Space" series, and given the original series it certainly feels like a very different angle. The cast is great, but doesn't quite feel like it gels well, especially sense it is supposed to be (mostly) a family unit. Mat LeBlanc actually surprises me by showing he has some action range, a young Lacey Chabert comes off much more obnoxious than I would have expected, and solid, if expected, performances from William Hurt, Heather Graham, and Gary Oldman. There is just very little that goes beyond expectations. Don't get me wrong there are some very interesting sequences and effects, but just nothing impressive I'm going to remember down the line. In the end I had a good time, and I'd do it again, but I'd rather see a more modern or higher production version of this like "Voyager".

**_Thirty years after the TV show, Lost in Space debuts at the cinema_** In 2058, Professor John Robinson (William Hurt) and his family (Mimi Rogers, Heather Graham, Lacey Chabert, etc.) take a mission to travel to the nearest inhabitable planet to set-up a hypergate so humans can easily transport there. At the last minute, a hotshot flyboy is assigned to pilot the Jupiter II (Matt LeBlanc). Unfortunately, they’re forced to enact hyperdrive due to the interference of Dr. Smith (Gary Oldman), which flings them to an uncharted part of the galaxy. “Lost in Space” (1998) is the serious movie version of the cheesy television series modeled after The Swiss Family Robinson that ran for three seasons from 1965-1968. The late 90’s sci-fi sets & costumes are great while there’s a lot of action and the movie respects the intelligence of the viewer. Although Hurt is relatively boring in the role of the Robinson patriarch, he’s respectfully stalwart, and I’m sure his role would’ve evolved in the planned three sequels, which never manifested because the film underperformed at the box office. I was never a fan of LeBlanc (or Friends), but he’s great here as the flying ace. Too bad he’s given really eye-rolling lines as he courts Judy (Graham) like a clueless Neanderthal. Speaking of Heather, she looks great as usual while Chabert (Penny) was only 15 during filming. Too bad the director didn’t know how to shoot women. I’ve heard critics complain about the drab, murky palette. Sure, the movie’s dark because it takes place in deep space but, otherwise, I found the colors nice ‘n’ bright. I could do without the time-travel element, but it’s alright if you roll with it. And I liked the surprise Dr. Doom-ish character in the last act that turns out even worse. The film runs 2 hours, 10 minutes, and was shot at Century Fox Studios in Los Angeles, with some scenes done at Red Rock Canyon State Park, which is 90 miles north. GRADE: B-