Flight of the Navigator (1986)

Good movie, but best of all time? Hardly . . .

A Disappointing Continuation

Story: It's very simple but honestly that is fine.

It is neither dumb nor smart enough to be fun, and spends way too much time with its boring human characters.

This is one of the best sci-fi movies I have ever seen for kids, and not just because your kid (about 8 - 12 years old) will love it. The best thing about it is that it takes a more realistic approach to an alien encounter than most adult movies in the present day. The details are a little corny and cheesy... of course... it's a kid's movie. But the basic premise is sound:1) An advanced alien species would most likely be non-belligerent explorers. The alien (actually an alien machine) in this movie views humanity with a kind of indifference, much the same way as humans look at cats... cute, but stupid and primitive.2) Despite their indifference, the aliens don't wantonly destroy life. They are curious about all life, but they don't interfere with it or destroy it. Although aloof, the alien seems sympathetic to all life... he briefly laments that one of the creatures he is observing is now homeless, as his planet was destroyed by a comet.3) The aliens possess advanced technology that the movie doesn't attempt to explain. No tired Star Trek dilithium crystal explanations. We don't even know the alien's true shape, although we assume it's the walnut shape. It can change shape at will. This would be an epic technological breakthrough for humanity, but the second Terminator movie is the only other mainstream movie to explore this idea.If you're into the whole movies as education thing (as I am), you can really engage your kid after watching this movie by discussing what you think aliens would be like.There is no sex, no violence (guns are drawn but not used), and only one or two relatively "tame" curse words.

Great all time favorite.A 12 year old boy (David) goes into the wood to meet his little brother to take home. He wakes up 8 years later and finds out that he has been reported as missing. Tests are conducted at the local hospital to find out why he hasn't aged in the time passed.NASA Finds a UFO nearby where he was found and pretty soon David is in the middle trying to piece together the unanswered questions and get back his life.I loved this movie as a kid and still do, it had aged but is still a loved classic.

I have tried to ferret out from the IMDb database unique one-of-a-kind films that not only do their job (entertain) but also lack analogues, so that even if you want to compare them to something, you simply can't. This is one of my faves. It is astonishing that no one at Disney has tried to re-do it? Other reviewers here have ably covered the story. What they may have neglected to explain perhaps is how astonishing this tale is for the period (the 80s) and the audience (kids?). C'mon there are episodes of Star Trek that don't deal with as many issues of time travel, time paradox, time dilation (age differences) and ... for a kicker .. moral complexities. In a kid's film? G'mme a break. Astonishing little gem, great acting, and even the voice of the ship is well cast. My last word? COMPLIANCE!

Flight of the Navigator is directed by Randal Kleiser and is adapted to screenplay by Michael Burton and Matt MacManus from a story by Mark H. Baker. It stars Joey Cramer, Veronica Cartwright, Cliff De Young, Sarah Jessica Parker, Howard Hesseman and the voice of Paul Reubens. Music is by Alan Silvestri and cinematography is by James Glennon and Eric McGraw.Young David Freeman (Cramer) is out in the woods near his home in Fort Lauderdale when he falls down a ravine and is knocked unconscious. Waking up he finds that the world around him has advanced by 8 years but he hasn't. After being reunited with his overjoyed parents, it becomes apparent that David has had an encounter with a extra terrestrial life form, which of course greatly interests the authorities...It's a family friendly sci-fi with a difference, in that it doesn't have to take us into space for its tale, yet this in no way detracts from how enjoyable Flight of the Navigator is. It is told from young David's perspective (with Cramer impressionable), thus it firmly engages the kids in the audience. The relationship between David and the Phaleon computer system (Reubens) engages with witty chatter and educational purpose, and the effects work should not be taken for granted either. If we are to be picky then the build up is a touch long before the pic goes "extra terrestrial", and Cartwright and De Young are barely given time to impact as parents coming to terms with a family life turned upside down. But small complaints really and this is a lovely film, one that isn't just for 1980s nostalgists. 7/10