Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		3.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.5
Overall		3.5

SpaceCamp Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf October 5, 2017

After years of George Lucas and Steven Spielberg enjoying the mysteries and excitement of space through big screen fantasy, the producers of 1986’s “Space Camp” were looking to achieve the same sense of awe, only from a slightly more realistic perspective. During the shooting of the movie, the American space program and all things NASA were red hot, inspiring a tale of adolescents interested in the astronaut program accidentally shot into space. The premise was pure fiction, but director Harry Winer puts some effort into authenticity, grounding what amounts to a wish- fulfillment endeavor that’s generally better with procedure than extravaganza. “Space Camp” has its dramatic issues, but there’s a sense of time and place that’s endearing, and the screenplay dares to provide focus on intelligent young characters put to the test, tasked with saving themselves and the space program as they conquer what they previously thought to be an impossible set of mechanical and survival responsibilities.

Andie (Kate Capshaw) has long dreamed of making her way into space, but her time at NASA hasn’t come yet, instead joining husband, Commander Zach (Tom Skerritt), at Space Camp, where kids from all over the country come to experience astronaut training and live out their orbital exploration fantasies. In charge of her own team, Andie inherits Rudy (Larry B. Scott), Tish (Kelly Preston), 10-year-old Max (Joaquin Phoenix), Kevin (Tate Donovan), and Kathryn (Lea Thompson), a spunky young woman who looks up to Andie and her leadership. Bonding as a team, the aspiring space walkers work through issues of communication and basic levels of interest, with Kevin just there to satisfy his parents and stay out of trouble. During a special engine test of the Space Shuttle Atlantis, the unit is suddenly launched into space by Jinx, a NASA robot Max has befriended, putting the semi-trained crew to the ultimate test as they enter space without necessary survival supplies, forced to become a serious crew to survive as they wait for an opening to return to Earth.

“Space Camp” is a product of its era, playing into trends of empowered teens sent on a wild adventure, finding glory and love along the way. However, the difference here is respect for intelligence, as the screenplay doesn’t assemble a group of dopes to fill the Atlantis, but offers interesting characters with real abilities, unleashed within a program that welcomes knowledge of science and math, celebrating the achievements of smart kids. Social itchiness remains, and there’s an audience surrogate in Kevin, who’s simply at Space Camp because he has to be, resisting the order of the program, focused primarily on Kathryn, adding a touch of young love to the effort to keep it approachable. Fantasy film standards are also met with the introduction of Jinx, a 27 million dollar robot Max adopts, with the mechanical pal residing in the boy’s locker and eager to grant his wish to fly into space, secretly masterminding an engine failure that launches the Atlantis. It’s an unsteady mix of the unreal and real, but “Space Camp” deserves credit for trying to do something with laudable adolescents actually working to better themselves in a challenging environment.

It takes about 50 minutes before Atlantis is launched, leaving the first half of “Space Camp” to training sequences and character development. We learn a little something about everyone on the team, from Max’s bullied despair to Kathryn’s frustration as she’s forced to work up to her desired job of shuttle commander. Mild comedy comes with NASA field trips and simulations, and there’s room for the adults as well, finding Andie slightly stymied by her summer gig, while Commander Zach is positioned at launch control, watching in horror as a routine engine test to thrill the kiddies suddenly becomes a full-fledged launch, losing radio contact with Andie along the way.

Adventure builds in the second act, as Andie is tasked with steering Atlantis to the Space Station Daedalus to replenish oxygen supplies, resulting in some spacewalk footage and support from the trainees, who are suddenly tasked with becoming proper NASA professionals, freaking them out. “Space Camp” has lofty visual goals it can’t reach, as most of the special effects are quite poor, showcasing obvious matte lines and cables attached to the actors for scenes of weightlessness. Still, the feature doesn’t allow technical fouls to ruin the viewing experience, marching ahead with near-misses and flaring tempers on Atlantis, with the pains of a group effort felt as the campers are tested in full. Mercifully, performances are plucky enough to support the broad dramatic arcs of the screenplay, with Thompson a particular standout as Kathryn, projecting frustration and growing confidence with care, and Capshaw is solid as Andie, handling the leader role with authority.

SpaceCamp Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Another catalog title from the ABC Motion Pictures line-up, "Space Camp" arrives on Blu-ray with an AVC encoded image (1.78:1 aspect ratio) presentation. It's an unremarkable viewing experience, as the movie lacks a necessary refreshing for its HD debut. Colors look drained with some fade, missing bolder primaries that come from period costuming and NASA decoration, making only the brightest of hues stand out. Skintones are on the flat side, but not completely lacking natural appeal. Detail is soft throughout, which may be a good thing for some of the lackluster special effects. Clarity doesn't come through with any urgency, diluting space shuttle particulars and close-ups. Delineation is adequate. Whites have the tendency to become bloomy. Source isn't problematic, without major instances of damage.

SpaceCamp Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix delivers a basic listening experience, but a decent one, keeping fantasy and NASA elements in play as the story moves from Earth to orbit. Dialogue exchanges are clean and varied, picking up on performance quirks and timing, while more heated exchanges on the shuttle are never threatened. Scoring maintains presence with secure instrumentation, permitting the music to carry the effort when necessary, commanding as intended. Sound effects retain their chirps, and space time handles with decent atmospherics. Group activity with Launch Control is maintained, along with campground bustle.

SpaceCamp Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Interview (10:47, HD) with Lea Thompson finds the actress in a candid mood, openly discussing the troubled "Space Camp" production, which was apparently wildly behind schedule after the first day of shooting. Taking the role between her time on "Back to the Future" and "Howard the Duck," Thompson highlights the physical challenges of the shoot, as the weightless sequences were not worked out in advance by the production, requiring some special acting from the trained dancer. Thompson explores bonding time with the cast in cramped spaces, and her fondness for a 10-year-old Joaquin Phoenix, also sharing her memories of the Challenger explosion and empowering influence of "Space Camp," providing a story about a NASA employee who worked her way into the agency thanks to the feature.

• Interview (18:23, HD) with director Harry Winer explores his career origins, trying to bring a cinematic touch to television shows like "Hart to Hart." Landing the "Space Camp" gig, Winer wanted as much realism as possible, highlighting the authentic sets built for the production, and the use of astronaut Sally Ride as a technical advisor. The helmer also discusses the troubles with inventing weightlessness, and the inspiration behind the creation of Jinx, working hard to avoid making another R2-D2. Winer shares an appreciation for the John Williams score, details the feature's influence on those who made the effort to see it, and mentions the Challenger disaster, which effectively shut down the film's marketing appeal.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (2:03, SD) is included.

SpaceCamp Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Certainly "Space Camp" is silly, often intentionally so, but as this type of escapism (boosted by a John Williams score) from this specific era of filmmaking goes, it's perfectly pleasant and sends a valuable message on the triumph of smarts and partnership when faced with a decidedly Hollywood survival challenge. It's rough around the edges and obviously dated (perhaps immediately so, opening six months after the Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster, which ended its box office appeal), but there's still value in a spirited adventure, and "Space Camp" remains as entertaining as a kids-in-space endeavor has any right to be.