Lost in Space

 

Lost in Space 1998

• Director: Stephen Hopkins
• Based on the book: no
• Cast: William Hurt, Mimi Rogers, Heather Graham, Lacy Chabert, Jack Johnson, Gary Oldman, Matt LeBlanc, Jared Harris
• Personal “oh yeah him/her” reaction, i.e. have seen this actor in:
• William Hurt – Humans, Winter’s Tale, Into the Wild, The History of Violence, Smoke, The Accidental Tourist
• Mimi Rogers – Mad Men, The X Files
• Heather Graham – Cake, From Hell, Twin Peaks
• Jack Johnson – Jeeves and Wooster
• Gary Oldman – The Space Between Us, The Dark Knight Rises etc, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Harry Potter, The Book of Eli, Rain Fall, Friends, The Fifth Element, Immortal Beloved, Léon, Romeo Is Bleeding, True Romance, Dracula, JFK, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, Prick Up Your Ears, Sid and Nancy
• Matt LeBlanc – Friends
• Miranda Richardson – Testament of Youth, Made in Dagenham, Harry Potter, Young Victoria, Paris je t’aime, Gideon’s Daughter, Wah-Wah, Get Carter, Black Adder, Sleepy Hollow, The Crying Game, Enchanted April, Dance with a Stranger
• Jared Harris – Fringe, Sherlock Holms Game of Shadows, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Igby Goes Down, How to Kill Your Neighbour’s Dog, Dead Man, Smoke
• Why? Gary Oldman
• Seen: 7 May 2021      

       The 60’s series was not one of my favourites, but I did watch it. I know this film got bad reviews, but Gary Oldman is in it. That must mean something?

       It follows the series as far as I remember it. The Robinson family heads for outer space to save Earth but ends up lost. On board is the evil Doctor Smith (Oldman) and sexist pilot (LeBlanc).

       OK, it’s bad. Filled with gender clichés – OMG those breasty spacesuits for the women! The dialog is lame. There are way too many hardware bang bang toys. The heroes and villains are stereotypes. The genius kid is seriously annoying. So yes, it’s a very bad film. Now I’ll just watch and see if it gets better.

       Sadly, it remains another case of, ‘What are these actors doing in this rubbish film?’ Oldman seems almost bored with his character, as well he should.

       Still, I am determined to find a * in there somewhere. The sister Penny (Chabert) is quite cool? Oldman is after all Oldman? It is unembarrassedly ridiculous? It’s so bad it’s good?

       I guess that will do. 

1* of 5