Before there was How to Train your Dragon, before there was Casper, before there was Free Willy, there was an adventure that sparked a bond between a boy and a spaceship. Fresh from the success of 1982’s Tron and from Randal Kleiser, the director of Grease, Disney scored another visually-striking hit in 1986 which ultimately began a new era within their live-action studio with Flight of the Navigator. David Freeman (a heartfelt performance by 80’s child star Joey Cramer) travels aboard an advanced spacecraft on a trip through time between 1978 and 1986 and around the world with it’s captain Max (voiced by Paul Reubens of Pee-wee Herman fame), Flight of the Navigator is filled with edge-of-your-seat and fast-paced exhilaration in the spirit of E.T. (another 1982 classic) and The Wizard of Oz. The comedy duel between David and Max nearly steals the show. Dreamlike visuals which were considered back in the mid-80’s innovations enhance the onscreen excitement. Alan Silvestri (1995 Oscar nominee for Forest Gump) serves as the composer of the film’s energetic score which is totally 80’s and makes you want to groove to it’s roots of dance music. FOTN is a high-flying, fun-filled and quintessential adventure for fans of Disney, science fiction, 80’s pop culture, or feel-good entertainment.

by Manuel O., Age 17