Space Camp

Space Camp offers one of the most dated 80s pictures of technology, almost relic-like with its "state of the art" robot and machinery. Set in Nasa in the 1980s, the story follows a group of kids enrolled in space camp who are accidentally launched into space with only the help of a seasoned pilot, Andie Bergstrom (Kate Capshaw), as their supervisor.

They are all at space camp for different reasons, but placed on the same team and become friends accordingly. Their drills at Nasa, however, leave something to be desired, as each team member fails at a task and is chewed out by Andie at some point in time or another. She isn't great with kids or thrilled to be at camp, as she was passed over as the next astronaut to go up in space and thus stuck doing camp.

They face many obstacles which force the kids to learn to work together as a team. Everyone brings unique qualities to the floor-- whether it's Kathryn Fairly's (Lea Thompson)knowledge of piloting, Tish Ambrosei's (Kelly Preston) photographic memory, Rudy Tyler's (Larry B. Scott) science knowledge, or youthful Max Graham's (Joaquin Phoenix) size. Notably, they have to figure out how to obtain more oxygen, as their level is too short to allow them to land back on earth.

The movie's dialogue is laughable:

Kathryn: Why are you so hard on me?
Andie: Because someday, you're goin' up. But the only way that will happen is if you have every drill here down better than everyone else. There's no room for mistakes. Every 'i' dotted, every 't' crossed. That's the way I learned it. That's the way you'll learn it. You copy?
Kathryn: I copy.


Andie: Hideo Takamini... HIDEO TAKAMINI?
Kevin: Right here!
[holding up a stolen nametag]
Andie: Hideo Takamini?
Kevin: Well actually it's pronounced "Kevin Donaldson."
Andie: I don't have a "Donaldson."
Kevin: Well, you have one now.

Andie: So what brings you to space camp?
Tish: Well I did this audit at GPL on Radio Astronomy; it was unbelieveable! I mean can you imagine an extra terrestrial disc jockey? I mean like listening to radio waves from space? I mean like waiting for signs of intelligence?
Andie: ...Like I know the feeling.


The movie's plot is laughable, the movie's dialogue is laughable, and the movie itself? should be avoided.