Lost in Space (1998)
Average Rating: 4.6/10
Reviews Counted: 48
Fresh: 13 | Rotten: 35
No consensus yet.
Average Rating: 5.4/10
Critic Reviews: 9
Fresh: 3 | Rotten: 6
No consensus yet.
liked it
Average Rating: 2.5/5
User Ratings: 157,560
My Rating
Movie Info
This $90 million science fiction adventure is adapted from the television series, created by Irwin Allen, which originally ran on CBS from 1965 to 1968. The original series employed a Swiss Family Robinson in outer space premise; sent to colonize a planet in the Alpha Centauri system, the Robinson family was thrown off course by a stowaway and was left wandering from planet to planet (and changing along the way from a black-and-white series to a color series). The 1998 remake is set in the year
Apr 3, 1998 Wide
Oct 6, 1998
New Line Home Entertainment
Watch It Now
Cast
-
William Hurt
John Robinson -
Mimi Rogers
Maureen Robinson -
Heather Graham
Judy Robinson -
Lacey Chabert
Penny Robinson -
Jack Johnson (II)
Will Robinson -
Gary Oldman
Dr. Zachary Smith -
Matt LeBlanc
Don West -
Jared Harris
Older Will -
Mark Goddard
General -
Lennie James
Jeb Walker -
Marta Kristen
Reporter No. 1 -
June Lockhart
Principal -
Edward Fox
Business Man -
Adam Sims
Lab Technician -
Angela Cartwright
Reporter No. 2 -
Dick Tufeld
Robot
ADVERTISEMENT
Lost in Space Trailer & Photos
All Critics (70) | Top Critics (15) | Fresh (13) | Rotten (36) | DVD (21)
Strictly for fans of the TV show or sci-fi buffs.
...the motion picture tries hard to recapture that former tone, and, yes, even retains the same lines.
The casting splits you down the middle -- you don't know whether to be grateful that you at least have good actors to watch, or to regret that they're given nothing to do.
It's a special-effects bonanza with space battles, spider aliens and virtual reality sequences, but this remake of the popular 1960s TV series seriously lacks humor.
The acting is generally average, but Stephen Hopkins's directing is virtually non-present.
It's still not a good movie, but it's a good-sounding one. (Blu-ray Edition)
Audience Reviews for Lost in Space
So this is an adaptation of the rather lame US TV series of the same name which always kinda seemed like a rip off of 'Star Trek' with kids. Being you typical 90's action flick the film is chock full of terrible cgi from a really nasty looking space alien monkey thing to lots of shockingly bad looking light/space effects.
There is a combination of model work which in places does look reasonable but alas most other areas of the film such as the sets are really poor and rubbery in appearance, whilst costumes are merely dull and unoriginal.
The plot is a complete jumbled jigsaw of a mess involving the age old notion of time travel, unfortunately you really have to have a tight plot to pull this off annnnd this doesn't. You don't care about any of the characters down to stale acting, Lacey Chabert looks as if she's been swimming the whole time and is oddly quite sexy with her squeaky voice, she was 16 at the time I believe, should I be locked up?. Even Hurt can't inject quality into this pantomime, Oldman fares somewhat better but there really isn't anything he could of done.
The original series was camp family space age fun so of course the film was never gonna be serious sci-fi but clearly they wanted it to be semi serious. This was the problem because the whole thing is basically a cartoon or as I like to think of it 'Batman and Robin' in space...with Matt LeBlanc who was clearly added to capitalize on his moment in the limelight. Just another attempted fast food franchise rolled off the Hollywood factory line, badly conceived, poorly made and vanished into obscurity.
Super Reviewer
Discussion Forum
There are no discussion threads for Lost in Space yet.
Latest News on Lost in Space
December 29, 2006:
More Chances to Get "Lost in Space"?My very first DVD player came with a free DVD: That "Lost in Space" flick with William...
November 24, 2006:
"Batman & Robin" Writer Gets $4 Million for "Da Vinci" PrequelOscar-winning screenwriter Akiva Goldsman is allegedly earning a $4 million dollar paycheck for his...
May 23, 2006:
Goldsman Signs On for "Angels & Demons"Yesterday we shared the news that the "Da Vinci Code" prequel was being discussed, and...
What's Hot On RT
Bradley Cooper's Best Movies
Fast & Furious 6 is Certified Fresh
Fast & Furious cars gallery
Blockbusters ranked!
Featured on RT
- Weekly Ketchup: Fox and Marvel Both Courting Quicksilver for Comic Blockbusters 21
- Critics Consensus: Fast & Furious 6 is Certified Fresh 60
- Red Carpet Photos with Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez, Gina Carano and More 0
- Video: The Hangover Part III Cast Interviews 0
- Total Recall: Bradley Cooper's Best Movies 48
- Parental Guidance: Epic and Beautiful Creatures 2
- Comic Book Movies You Can Watch Online 16
Top Headlines
-
Evan Peters Joins X-Men: Days of Future Past
0
-
Toby Jones Talks Captain America: The Winter Soldier
1
-
The Poltergeist Reboot May Actually Be a Sequel
16
-
Will Forte Promises MacGruber 2
4
-
Universal Plans Timecop Reboot
2
-
Return of the Jedi Turns 30
1
-
Vin Diesel Says Fast & Furious 7 Will Take Place in L.A.
0


If you can get past of the fact that most of the characters don't have that much depth you will possibly enjoy this film. Especially if you like sci-fi. Director Stephen Hopkins might not a be among the masters of cinema but he knows how to make entertaining films with nice set-pieces. I myself liked the pace of this film which had enough of time to go into plot also. This is not only some mindless and dumb blockbuster. There are actually some great ideas about time traveling and important themes of family to be found here. I also enjoyed the funky production design of this film and everything from groovy spacesuits to funny cadgets. There are two major names in the cast here and they are William Hurt and Gary Oldman. Both of them seem to know that they are not making a high art and seem to be enjoying their roles. Mimi Rogers and Heather Graham are sadly underused but the kids, Jack Johnson and Lacey Chabert, bring welcome lightness into this film. Matt LeBlanc is also quite a fun as a fighterpilot with a ego too big.
Lost in Space has this certain 50's sci-fi vibe in it. It is like one of those harmless retro-space-adventures where almost anything was possible. Akiva Goldsman's script throws in some elements of light space horror in the form of icky alien spiders and as i said there is a very well written third act to be found in this film which takes it to completely another level when it comes to story. Effects has mostly stand their time well and the film does still feel quite fresh. Jim Henson's contribution must also be mentioned when it comes to the creature design. Lost in Space is in my opinion highly overlooked and underrated film. This is a much better sci-fi film than it's reputation is. Here is a film that deserves more attention and especially as a family entertainment it is a blast to sit through. It might not be a great art but it was never meant to be. Instead this is a fun ride with fantastic effects. Recommended.