This big-budget screen remake of Irwin Allen’s cult 1960s TV series is a charmless if flashy affair under the direction of Stephen Hopkins.
The Robinson family’s Earth migration experiment is sabotaged by evil Doctor Zachary Smith (Gary Oldman) and they are forced to land on a mysterious planet inhabited by mutated monster spiders.
A conscious attempt to be all things to all audiences falls flat – cute stuff including a lovable space monkey will annoy adults while the “family values” sermons will bore kids rigid.
The special effects, nostalgic look, varying tone and acting (with Matt LeBlanc an honourable exception as Don West) never gel into an enjoyable whole in what is basically a cynical marketing exercise.
Dr Zachary Smith
Gary Oldman Dr John Robinson
William Hurt Don West
Matt LeBlanc Maureen Robinson
Mimi Rogers Judy Robinson
Heather Graham Penny Robinson
Lacey Chabert Will Robinson
Jack Johnson Older Will
Jared Harris General
Mark Goddard Jeb Walker
Lennie James Reporter No 1
Marta Kristen Reporter No 2
Angela Cartwright Principal Cartwright
June Lockhart Robot
Dick Tufeld Businessman
Edward Fox Noah Freeman
John Sharian
Director
Stephen Hopkins
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