Space Camp :: Education by Design Store

Editorial Review
SpaceCamp shares a striking similarity to Ron Howard's Apollo 13--it's about NASA trying to bring some people down from outer space, except in this case 13 represents the median age of those in danger. Kate Capshaw plays Andie, who throws off the curve by being on the high end of that age scale. She's always a bridesmaid, but never a bride in the shuttle program, an astronaut doomed to play wet nurse to a gaggle of kids enrolled in NASA's summer program. Of course, out of all these teeming hordes of children (there don't appear to be any particular qualifying standards to attend the camp), the film focuses on five. Kathryn (Lea Thompson) is a hopeful pilot who wants to be at the controls of the shuttle one day. Tate Donovan plays Kevin, a daft young carouser who is supposed to be so incorrigible he's winning (he's not). Kelly Preston is Tish, a valley girl with a photographic memory, and Larry B. Scott is Rudy. Rudy's there to meet the Hollywood quota for capsule diversification, but neither he nor Trish does much. Most oddly, Joaquin Phoenix is Max, the young Star Wars nut whose brain and fast friendship with a NASA robot get them all sent into orbit. It's unfortunate that a lot of topical swear words are peppered throughout SpaceCamp, as it could operate as a diverting night's watch for the young astro-nut in your house. Director Harry Winer, who rose from television and sank back to television after this film stiffed over the summer of 1986, directs in 20-minute blocks like he's pacing himself for a commercial break. Once the embarrassing, extremely '80s, opening 40 minutes are dispensed with, however, and the crew accidentally gets blasted into space, the effort to return home is involving, even if it is pretty silly. SpaceCamp won't win any merit badges for script writing, acting, or direction but it's got the right li'l Camp NASA spirit. --Keith Simanton
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Customer Reviews

spacecamp the movie

2007-10-11
Space Camp

This is a great family movie to watch even though I don't have any kids I would let them watch it. I myself seen it when I was younger and really enjoyed it. I glad a lot of the older movies are being released onto dvd.

Film "classic" with typical bad acting.

2007-09-10
Space Camp is campy to the max. However, given that the cast, including Kate Capshaw, is typical 80's, it is forgivable. This film is so predictable that it made me laugh out loud; however, the kids love it. It doesn't meet up with today's special effects standards, but the launch sequence is still spectacular. Kate Capshaw's performance is very unconvincing. The kids in the movie do a much better job that she does.

One of my all time favorite movies.

2007-07-05
The acting is not great, but if you have kids that are into space I highly recommend this book, their imaginations will go wild.

Over 50 and still love this little flick

2007-02-04
Okay, so maybe it's dorky of me, but I really do love this movie. It combines everything I like best in my favorite genres -- fun and funny sci fi; happy ending adventure; heart-warming family entertainment -- with a splash of factual space program documentary. I've seen it about five times! LOL

A Great Family Picture

2007-01-22
I remember when this movie came out. I saw two different reviews of this picture. One liked it and gave the reasons why. The other did not, and gave his reasons why. And the reasons were the same!!! What one reviewer liked the other hated!

This is an excellent family picture. It shows how people can step up to meet challenges. Of course, watch this movie with your children. Then, you can use it as a tool to encourage them!

One last note: This movie features one of my favorite actors (Skerritt) and one of my favorite actresses (Capshaw).

Best chill out movie ever

2008-05-15
I originaly watched this movie with my kids when they were little. It has been my all time favorite ever since. You can sit back, relax, not think and just enjoy the movie - and get some laughs in the meantime.

just one warning

2008-02-17
Just One Warning: If you plan to go -- or to send one of your children -- to the actual Space Camp, DO NOT see this movie. Otherwise, have fun . . .

Space Camp Review

2008-01-07
This was a childhood favorite of mine, and i was so happy to stumble upon the dvd so i can share it with my own children...and they LOVE IT!!!!

A Must For Space Camp Fans

2007-12-11
If you love Space Camp, this will bring you back to the old-school space camp days. It is a very unbelievable experience that would never happen, but it is interesting to see the kids pull together to get through their problems.

Space Campers

2007-10-25
These kids are going to do what some kids dream of doing in real life.