Flight of the Navigator

Meant more for kids than their parents, “Flight of the Navigator,” released in 1986, has everything a summer hit includes: a kid on a huge journey, adults who ask too many questions, and an enjoyable ride on a spaceship. It’s also really well done if you look closely at some of the special effects and broaden your horizon to its story.

Candice Russell said in her review, “Naturally, we've seen this kind of movie before, inspired as it is by E.T., Explorers and The Last Starfighter. Walt Disney Pictures is banking on the fact that kids have short memories. For a wide-eyed child whose imagination knows no bounds, this film's similarity to other ones probably won't matter.”

After nicely setting up 12-year-old David’s (Joey Cramer) normal life with a younger brother (Albie Whitaker) and caring parents (Veronica Cartwright and Cliff DeYoung), the movie changes to a mood of danger. Everything is going well until David falls in a ditch in 1978. When he wakes up it’s 1986, and he hasn’t aged a day. Strangers (Richard Liberty and Iris Acker) live in his house. The police (Raymond Forchion and Cynthia Caquelin) help him to find his parents, who are shocked and excited to find him alive. David isn’t convinced until he sees his “little” brother has grown to the age of 16, played by Matt Adler.

“Flight of the Navigator” spends an inconsistent time setting up David’s journey. Russell said, “The story is top-heavy with well-meaning villains -- curious doctors from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration who hold him captive for study. Maybe David has had a close encounter with beings from another planet. NASA's discovery of an impenetrable silver pod that crash- landed at a power plant is somehow connected to his thought patterns, as recorded on a computer.”

He does hear voices that he doesn’t understand, which does take him to the pod. The foreshadowing occurs once David is inside this alien spaceship because it’s where he belongs. This is where the fun starts. Russell said, “Michael Burton and Matt MacManus wisely include all manner of outer space beasties to accompany him on a cross-country, undersea trip faster than the speed of light.” One talking friend, a silver part of the ship called Max, voiced by Paul Reubens, takes on the personality of a teenager, who sings the song for Rice-a-Roni when they fly over San Francisco. This is really funny.

Russell noted, “Made in South Florida last winter, the film will be a hoot for locals who recognize sites such as Miami's Watson Island and a park on Fort Lauderdale's New River. The region looks clean, bright, water-surrounded and beautiful. Tourist councils should be cheering.”

However, that’s a side note. The main point is that “Flight of the Navigator,” despite a rough start, does get better, taking a child on the adventure of a lifetime.

I cannot believe I never saw this movie growing up. This is a classic that I cannot believe I never heard of. Then again, Nostalgia Critic did put this on his “Top 11 Underrated Classics” list, and I had forgotten about it until I decided to check it out this year. Now that I have seen it, I can safely say that I recommend this to everyone. This is on Disney+ and you should see it because you will love it, I promise.

Check in tomorrow for a movie that is based off of a Disney animated series in “Disney Month 2020.”