Rating: PG
Genre:
Science Fiction
Release Date: 10/19/2004
SubTitles: English
Dubbed: English
Sound: DDS/DD5.1
Run Time: 106 Minutes
Distributor/Studio: Paramount
Explorers turns out to be much ado about nothing, but it's so sublimely assembled we're willing to overlook the sappy climax. Young sci-fi geek Ben Crandall (
Ethan Hawke) (could he possibly be based on director
Joe Dante?) would give anything to travel in space. Thanks to his computer-happy pal Wolfgang Muller (
River Phoenix), Ben gets his wish, together with best bud Darren Woods (
Jason Presson). In the Great Beyond, the boys encounter an extraterrestrial (
Robert Picardo), whose knowledge of earth is limited to what he's gleaned from 1960s TV sitcoms (this is unusual?) Lots of outer-space fun ensues before the film's inevitable downward spiral. Moderately successful in theatres,
Explorers had a healthy second life on video and cable TV, especially after director
Dante rethought the film and rearranged a few scenes for better dramatic (and comic) impact.
~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
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