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SpaceCamp is a 1986 American film based on a book by Patrick Bailey and Larry B. Williams and inspired by the U.S. Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama. Directed by Harry Winer from a screenplay by Clifford Green (as W. W. Wicket) and Casey T. Mitchell, the film stars Kate Capshaw, Kelly Preston, Larry B. Scott, Lea Thompson, Tate Donovan and Joaquin Phoenix.
| SpaceCamp | |
|---|---|
 1986 theaterical poster | |
| Directed by | Harry Winer |
| Written by | Story: Patrick Bailey Larry B. Williams Screenplay: Clifford Green Casey T. Mitchell |
| Produced by | Patrick Bailey Walter Coblenz Leonard Goldberg (executive) David Salven (associate) |
| Starring | Kate Capshaw Lea Thompson Kelly Preston Larry B. Scott Leaf Phoenix introducing Tate Donovan and Tom Skerritt as 'Zach' Barry Primus Terry O'Quinn |
| Cinematography | William A. Fraker |
| Edited by | Tim Board John W. Wheeler |
| Music by | John Williams |
| Distributed by | Theatrical distributor: Twentieth Century Fox Co-distributor: ABC Motion Pictures Original VHS: Vestron Video 1990 VHS: Video Treasures 1998 VHS: Anchor Bay Entertainment 2004 DVD: MGM Home Entertainment Edited version: Feature Films for Families[1] |
Release date |  June 6, 1986 |
Running time | 107 minutes |
| Country |  United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $20,000,000[2] |
| Box office | $9,697,739 (USA)[3] |
The movie was panned by critics and is famous for being a "marketing nightmare," as it was released less than five months after the Challenger accident of January 28, 1986, that killed all seven on board. The film performed poorly at the box office, grossing less than $10 million in the US. A rewrite of the book, released to coincide with the movie, mentioned the Challenger disaster.
Plot
Four older teenagers and a 12-year-old boy have gone to space camp for three weeks during the summer to learn about the NASA space program and mimic astronaut training. There they meet Andie Bergstrom, a camp instructor and NASA trained astronaut, who is frustrated that she has not yet been assigned to a shuttle mission.
Things start to unravel when Max saves a sentient robot named Jinx. To return the favor, Jinx decides to send Max into space after hearing Max say during a moment of frustration after a heated argument with Kevin that he wanted to be in space.
Unlike the majority of her camp-mates who are just there for some fun, Kathryn is serious about her ambitions to become a space shuttle pilot. One night she and Kevin sneak away for some romance near the launch pad, but Jinx gives them away when Andie and Zach discover that they are missing. During a confrontation between Andie and Kathryn, Andie explains that she believes Kathryn has what it takes to accomplish her ambition, and understanding the necessity of the harsh treatment Andie is giving her she vows to improve her conduct and performance. However, Zach's conversation with Kevin is not nearly as inspiring.
That same night, Jinx secretly enters NASA's computer room and prepares a "thermal curtain failure" on the Space Shuttle Atlantis while the group are on board. This causes one of the boosters to ignite during the engine test. Launch Control is forced to ignite the second booster and launch the shuttle in order to avoid a crash.
The shuttle is not flight ready however, and not only has no long range radio, but is critically low on oxygen, and does not have enough air to last to the re-entry window to land at Edwards Air Force Base. Andie takes the shuttle to the partially constructed Space Station "Daedalus" and, aided by Max, retrieves oxygen already stored there. Meanwhile, realizing that while they have no voice communications with NASA they do have telemetry, Tish begins using a switch to send a Morse code signal to NASA, but it is not noticed by ground control.
Andie is injured by a depressurizing oxygen canister and, unaware of this, Ground Control begins the autopilot to land the shuttle - closing the bay doors stranding Andie outside. Andie regains consciousness and urges the kids to leave her and take the re-entry window, as the shuttle does not have enough oxygen to make the next window to land at Edwards. Kathryn is unable to make a decision, but Kevin finally shows himself to be the shuttle Commander and overrides the autopilot. In a gamble to bring back Andie, Max suits up for an EVA and attempts to bring in Andie. During a critical moment, Max begins to panic, until Kevin, knowing that Max is a fan of Star Wars, begins calling him "Luke", and tells him to "use the Force," which encourages him enough to complete the mission. Having missed the Edwards re-entry window the crew come up with a plan to re-enter and land at White Sands, New Mexico. Armed with this news, Tish then uses morse code to signal NASA to let them try for a landing there.
In Ground Control, Jinx brings the morse code signal to Zach's attention, and they begin preparations for the White Sands landing. With Andie still injured, Kathryn has to fly the shuttle. Kathryn begins to fret and doubt her abilities, however Kevin both cajoles and teases her, and she successfully lands the shuttle.
Characters
- Andie Bergstrom (Kate Capshaw). Andie is a camp instructor and astronaut. She has become frustrated with waiting to be assigned to a mission and is growing tired of chaperoning children at the camp.
- Zach Bergstrom (Tom Skerritt), the camp director and Andie's husband. In the fictional SpaceCamp universe, he is one of the astronauts that walked on the Moon.
- Kevin Donaldson (Tate Donovan). Initially arrogant and selfish, Kevin makes it clear from the start that the only reason he attends is because his father bought him a Jeep. He has eyes for Kathryn, and steals another kid's Space Camp ID to be in the same group as her. Andie assigns him the role of Commander to teach Kevin responsibility, much to Kathryn's dismay.
- Kathryn Fairly (Lea Thompson). Kathryn is ambitious, idolizes Andie and wants to be the first woman shuttle commander - but is assigned the pilot role instead.
- Rudy Tyler (Larry B. Scott) loves science (but admits he is not very good at it) and wants to open the first fast food franchise in space - "Rudy T's"
- Tish Ambrosé (Kelly Preston). Tish, a typical teenager (and semi-Valley Girl), appears to be a vapid blonde, but in fact has a photographic memory with perfect scores on her SATs.
- Max Graham (Joaquin Phoenix, then credited as Leaf Phoenix). Max is an eager 12-year-old space enthusiast who bonds with the robot Jinx. Having previously been to Junior Camp Andie finally allows him to stay at the main camp.
- Jinx, the infamous sentient robot, who becomes Max's friend. Described by Andie as "the world's only $27-million handyman", it facilitates the group's launch into space, then helps rescue them by discovering Tish's telemetry Morse code. Voiced by Frank Welker.
Production notes
The exteriors of the spacecraft launch were from STS-51-C. The landing footage was from STS-8.
Reception
SpaceCamp received mixed to negative reviews with only 40% of critics giving it positive reviews on Rotten Tomatoes. Critic Roger Ebert gave it a one and half star rating and saying that "Our thoughts about the space shuttle will never be the same again, and our memories are so painful that SpaceCamp is doomed even before it begins."[4] Variety says that "SpaceCamp never successfully integrates summer camp hijinks with outer space idealism to come up with a dramatically compelling story",[5] while James Sanford of the Kalamazoo Gazette responds "Not exactly out of this world". Website At-A-Glance gave the film an even worse review, "It's tough to accept this movie's premise. A bunch of kids are given a tour of the Space Shuttle as NASA is testing its engines. An accident happens, and they, along with their guide, are launched into space. Once up there, can they be talked back down? Add an annoying, seemingly sentient robot into the mix. Add the standard "two dimensional character development" arc, where each member of the cast overcomes his or her single character trait/flaw by the end of the story. Add gobs of sap, gushiness, and boredom. Mix well, and you've got a first-class mess."
Box Office
SpaceCamp had a long history of problems during production. It was originally planned to be released in November 1985, then pushed into early 1986, but was pushed back months later after the Challenger disintegrated during launch. When the film was finally released on June 6, 1986, it was a box office failure, earning only $9,697,739 in the US alone against its $20 million budget.
References
- ^ "When Hollywood Fiction Becomes Real-life Fact Makers Of 'Spacecamp' Grapple With Challenger Tragedy". The Morning Call. Retrieved 2010-11-02.
- ^ "Blockbuster Lull No Problem At Box Office". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2010-11-02.
- ^ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091993/business
- ^ "'Spacecamp'". Chicago Sun Times. Retrieved 2010-11-02.
- ^ "'Spacecamp'". Variety. Retrieved 2010-11-02.