Lost in Space (1998)

Director:

Stephen Hopkins

Writers (WGA):

Irwin Allen (television series)
Akiva Goldsman (written by)

Release Date:

3 April 1998 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Adventure | Sci-Fi | Thriller

Tagline:

Danger Will Robinson!

Plot:

The Robinson family was going into space to fight for a chance for humanity. Now they are fighting to live long enough to find a way home.

Plot Keywords:

Sabotage | Sun | Future | Robot | X Rayed Skeleton

Awards:

1 win & 11 nominations

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

William Hurt	...	Prof. John Robinson
Mimi Rogers	...	Dr. Maureen Robinson
Heather Graham	...	Dr. Judy Robinson
Lacey Chabert	...	Penny Robinson
Jack Johnson	...	Will Robinson
Gary Oldman	...	Dr. Zachary Smith / Spider Smith
Matt LeBlanc	...	Maj. Don West
Jared Harris	...	Older Will Robinson
Mark Goddard	...	General
Lennie James	...	Jeb Walker
Marta Kristen	...	Reporter #1
June Lockhart	...	Principal Cartwright
Edward Fox	...	Businessman
Adam Sims	...	Lab Technician
Angela Cartwright	...	Reporter #2

Also Known As:

LS (USA) (promotional abbreviation)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for some intense sci-fi action.

Runtime:

130 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Iceland:L | USA:PG-13 (certificate #35916) | New Zealand:PG | Argentina:Atp | Australia:PG | Belgium:KT | Finland:K-8 | France:U | Germany:12 | Mexico:A | Netherlands:12 | Norway:11 | Portugal:M/12 | Singapore:PG | South Korea:All | Sweden:11 | Switzerland:7 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:7 (canton of Vaud) | UK:PG | Canada:PG

Filming Locations:

London, England, UK

Company:

New Line Cinema

Trivia:

Ib Melchior was given screen credit and worked as special advisor to 'Mark Koch' in Lost in Space (1998) because he was the creator of the original "Space Family Robinson," (1960) - a screenplay, which became Irwin Allen's "Lost in Space" (1965) TV series. Melchior was never credited for the creation, until the details were exposed in Ed Shifres' "Space Family Robinson: The True Story" (Windsor House - 1996) and re-published as "Lost in Space: The True Story" (Windsor House - 1998). The book was extremely controversial and earned Melchior a monetary settlement and recognition as the creator of what became Lost in Space. The book was critically acclaimed with excellent reviews from Hollywood notable writers.

Goofs:

Continuity: Maureen's hair in the scene when she and John and preparing to go to sleep.

Quotes:

Dr. Zachary Smith: Major West, I highly recommend you never breed. That, by the way, is my medical opinion.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "The Simpsons: Milhouse Doesn't Live Here Anymore (#15.12)" (2004)

Soundtrack:

Song for Penny

As a lifetime fan of the original, this was disappointing

I think the major problem was the lack of closeness within the family unit. The writers choose that as the overall arc and that was a deadly mistake. We needed to see this family battle the unknown enties in space, rather than each other.

I was not interested in seeing Dr. Robinson finally make amends with his son. By spending so much time on the 'family' problems, we negated any sense of adventure.

The plot should have been about something space, a distant planet instead of this internal examination. Lastly Dr. Smith was just awful. I love Gary Oldman but this role just wasn't one of his best. If nothing else Smith was a pain in the butt, the writers saw as evil and turning him into a spider and having the little spiders eat him was just plain stupid.

Once again the fault lies in a poor "Hollywood" script.