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Post by janntosh on Jun 20, 2021 4:56:21 GMT
the first two acts do a great job of capturing the wonder and imagination of kids wanting to build a spaceship and travel to the stars. Unfortunately, the movie turns into slapstick nonsense in its third act with some ridiculous looking aliens. A real shame, apparently this was not Joe Dante's intent and he also dislikes how the film ended up. Apparently Paramount refused to budge on a summer release date not giving Dante and crew enough time and the film is basically unfinished. Characters like Ethan Hawke's love interest and Dick Miller's character originally had proper arcs but they were cut away into nothing. If only they could #ReleasetheDanteCut but that doesn't seem possible. There are 30 minutes of Deleted scenes on the Shout Factory Blu Ray so maybe that will give a closer look at what Dante was originally intending. Jerry Goldsmith's score is the tits though. Also love the poster  |
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Post by rudeboy on Jun 20, 2021 6:22:00 GMT
I completely agree. Great fun for around two thirds, barely watchable at times during the final act. The good cast keeps it above water.
Despite that, it was one of those films I watched several times when I was a kid, despite being fully aware of its shortcomings.
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Post by mstreepsucks on Jun 20, 2021 16:50:34 GMT
I thought the last part was the best.
Actually i think that the aliens in it are some of the best aliens really. Probably not quite as good as the ones in Aliens though.
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Post by Prime etc. on Jun 20, 2021 17:08:50 GMT
I sure hated this movie.
I am mad with myself I went to see it. I was expecting--I don't know what--but something more exciting.
All I can remember about it is Ethan Hawke on the ground talking about elephant asses as the girl he likes is watching him. High school bullying--that was the most disturbing part to me. The aliens turn out to be less scary than the bullying.
I am surprised to learn River Phoenix was in it--all I remember was Hawke on the ground.
Even James Cromwell was in it. The last third felt really cheap.
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Post by janntosh on Jul 13, 2021 2:49:05 GMT
Anyone else seen this and have fond or negative memories of it?
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Post by vegalyra on Jul 14, 2021 22:18:18 GMT
I have to agree that the final act is kind of crummy.
I do like the first 2/3rds or so though. This was a staple of cable tv back in the day, it came on quite a bit. I’m pretty sure I remember the computer River Phoenix’s character using being an Apple IIc which was pretty cool.
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