SpaceCamp
Encyclopedia
SpaceCamp is a 1986 American film based on a book by Patrick Bailey and Larry B. Williams and inspired by the U.S. Space Camp
in Huntsville, Alabama
. Directed by Harry Winer
from a screenplay by Clifford Green (as W. W. Wicket) and Casey T. Mitchell, the film stars Kate Capshaw
, Kelly Preston
, Larry B. Scott
, Lea Thompson
, Tate Donovan
and Joaquin Phoenix
.
The movie was panned by critics and is famous for being a "marketing nightmare," as it was released less than five months after the Challenger accident
of January 28, 1986, that killed all seven on board. The film performed poorly at the box office, grossing less than $10 million in the US. A rewrite of the book, released to coincide with the movie, mentioned the Challenger disaster.
space program and mimic astronaut
training. There they meet Andie Bergstrom, a camp instructor and NASA trained astronaut, who is frustrated that she has not yet been assigned to a shuttle
mission.
Things start to unravel when Max saves a sentient robot
named Jinx. To return the favor, Jinx decides to send Max into space
after hearing Max say during a moment of frustration after a heated argument with Kevin that he wanted to be in space.
Unlike the majority of her camp-mates who are just there for some fun, Kathryn is serious about her ambitions to become a space shuttle pilot. One night she and Kevin sneak away for some romance near the launch pad, but Jinx gives them away when Andie and Zach discover that they are missing. During a confrontation between Andie and Kathryn, Andie explains that she believes Kathryn has what it takes to accomplish her ambition, and understanding the necessity of the harsh treatment Andie is giving her she vows to improve her conduct and performance. However, Zach's conversation with Kevin is not nearly as inspiring.
That same night, Jinx secretly enters NASA's computer room and prepares a "thermal curtain failure" on the Space Shuttle Atlantis
while the group are on board. This causes one of the boosters to ignite during the engine test. Launch Control
is forced to ignite the second booster and launch the shuttle in order to avoid a crash.
The shuttle is not flight ready however, and not only has no long range radio, but is critically low on oxygen, and does not have enough air to last to the re-entry window to land at Edwards Air Force Base. Andie takes the shuttle to the partially constructed Space Station
"Daedalus" and, aided by Max, retrieves oxygen already stored there. Meanwhile, realizing that while they have no voice communications with NASA they do have telemetry, Tish begins using a switch to send a Morse code
signal to NASA, but it is not noticed by ground control.
Andie is injured by a depressurizing oxygen canister and, unaware of this, Ground Control begins the autopilot to land the shuttle - closing the bay doors stranding Andie outside. Andie regains consciousness and urges the kids to leave her and take the re-entry window, as the shuttle does not have enough oxygen to make the next window to land at Edwards. Kathryn is unable to make a decision, but Kevin finally shows himself to be the shuttle Commander and overrides the autopilot. In a gamble to bring back Andie, Max suits up for an EVA
and attempts to bring in Andie. During a critical moment, Max begins to panic, until Kevin, knowing that Max is a fan of Star Wars
, begins calling him "Luke"
, and tells him to "use the Force
," which encourages him enough to complete the mission. Having missed the Edwards re-entry window the crew come up with a plan to re-enter and land at White Sands, New Mexico
. Armed with this news, Tish then uses morse code
to signal NASA to let them try for a landing there.
In Ground Control, Jinx brings the morse code signal to Zach's attention, and they begin preparations for the White Sands landing. With Andie still injured, Kathryn has to fly the shuttle. Kathryn begins to fret and doubt her abilities, however Kevin both cajoles and teases her, and she successfully lands the shuttle.
. The landing footage was from STS-8
.
. Critic Roger Ebert
gave it a one and half star rating and saying that "Our thoughts about the space shuttle will never be the same again, and our memories are so painful that SpaceCamp is doomed even before it begins." Variety
says that "SpaceCamp never successfully integrates summer camp hijinks with outer space idealism to come up with a dramatically compelling story", while James Sanford of the Kalamazoo Gazette
responds "Not exactly out of this world". Website At-A-Glance gave the film an even worse review, "It's tough to accept this movie's premise. A bunch of kids are given a tour of the Space Shuttle as NASA is testing its engines. An accident happens, and they, along with their guide, are launched into space. Once up there, can they be talked back down? Add an annoying, seemingly sentient robot into the mix. Add the standard "two dimensional character development" arc, where each member of the cast overcomes his or her single character trait/flaw by the end of the story. Add gobs of sap, gushiness, and boredom. Mix well, and you've got a first-class mess."
, earning only $9,697,739 in the US alone against its $20 million budget.
United States Space Camp
U.S. Space Camp is owned and operated by the Alabama Space Science Exhibit Commission d.b.a. U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama. "Space Camp" refers to both the actual camp and a family of related camp programs offered year-round by the facility. The camp provides residential and...
in Huntsville, Alabama
Huntsville, Alabama
Huntsville is a city located primarily in Madison County in the central part of the far northern region of the U.S. state of Alabama. Huntsville is the county seat of Madison County. The city extends west into neighboring Limestone County. Huntsville's population was 180,105 as of the 2010 Census....
. Directed by Harry Winer
Harry Winer
Harry Winer is an American television director, television producer, and television writer. He is married to former actress Shelley Hack, with whom he has a daughter.- Select Filmography :* Invasion...
from a screenplay by Clifford Green (as W. W. Wicket) and Casey T. Mitchell, the film stars Kate Capshaw
Kate Capshaw
Kate Capshaw is an American actress. She is known for her role as Willie Scott in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. She is married to Steven Spielberg.-Early life:...
, Kelly Preston
Kelly Preston
Kelly Preston is an American actress and former model.- Early years :Preston was born Kelly Kamalelehua Smith in Honolulu, Hawaii. Her mother, Linda, was an administrator of a mental health center, and her father, who worked for an agricultural firm, drowned when Preston was three years old...
, Larry B. Scott
Larry B. Scott
-Career:Scott's film debut was in the 1978 movie A Hero Ain't Nothin' But a Sandwich. He is perhaps best known for playing Lamar Latrell, the openly gay fraternity member in the Revenge of the Nerds series of comedy films from 1984 to 1994. In the 1986 film SpaceCamp he played opposite a then-young...
, Lea Thompson
Lea Thompson
Lea Katherine Thompson is an American actress and director. She is best known for her 1990s NBC situation comedy Caroline in the City and her portrayal of Lorraine Baines McFly, Marty McFly's mother, in the Back to the Future trilogy...
, Tate Donovan
Tate Donovan
Tate Buckley Donovan is an American actor. He is known for his role in the FX drama Damages, as Tom Shayes, and for his role as Jimmy Cooper in the American teen drama television series The O.C....
and Joaquin Phoenix
Joaquin Phoenix
Joaquin Rafael Phoenix , formerly credited as Leaf Phoenix, is an American film actor. He was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and his family returned to the continental United States four years later...
.
The movie was panned by critics and is famous for being a "marketing nightmare," as it was released less than five months after the Challenger accident
Space Shuttle Challenger disaster
The Space Shuttle Challenger disaster occurred on January 28, 1986, when Space Shuttle Challenger broke apart 73 seconds into its flight, leading to the deaths of its seven crew members. The spacecraft disintegrated over the Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of central Florida at 11:38 am EST...
of January 28, 1986, that killed all seven on board. The film performed poorly at the box office, grossing less than $10 million in the US. A rewrite of the book, released to coincide with the movie, mentioned the Challenger disaster.
Plot
Four teenagers and a 12-year-old boy have gone to space camp for three weeks during the summer to learn about the NASANASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
space program and mimic astronaut
Astronaut
An astronaut or cosmonaut is a person trained by a human spaceflight program to command, pilot, or serve as a crew member of a spacecraft....
training. There they meet Andie Bergstrom, a camp instructor and NASA trained astronaut, who is frustrated that she has not yet been assigned to a shuttle
Space Shuttle
The Space Shuttle was a manned orbital rocket and spacecraft system operated by NASA on 135 missions from 1981 to 2011. The system combined rocket launch, orbital spacecraft, and re-entry spaceplane with modular add-ons...
mission.
Things start to unravel when Max saves a sentient robot
Robot
A robot is a mechanical or virtual intelligent agent that can perform tasks automatically or with guidance, typically by remote control. In practice a robot is usually an electro-mechanical machine that is guided by computer and electronic programming. Robots can be autonomous, semi-autonomous or...
named Jinx. To return the favor, Jinx decides to send Max into space
Space
Space is the boundless, three-dimensional extent in which objects and events occur and have relative position and direction. Physical space is often conceived in three linear dimensions, although modern physicists usually consider it, with time, to be part of a boundless four-dimensional continuum...
after hearing Max say during a moment of frustration after a heated argument with Kevin that he wanted to be in space.
Unlike the majority of her camp-mates who are just there for some fun, Kathryn is serious about her ambitions to become a space shuttle pilot. One night she and Kevin sneak away for some romance near the launch pad, but Jinx gives them away when Andie and Zach discover that they are missing. During a confrontation between Andie and Kathryn, Andie explains that she believes Kathryn has what it takes to accomplish her ambition, and understanding the necessity of the harsh treatment Andie is giving her she vows to improve her conduct and performance. However, Zach's conversation with Kevin is not nearly as inspiring.
That same night, Jinx secretly enters NASA's computer room and prepares a "thermal curtain failure" on the Space Shuttle Atlantis
Space Shuttle Atlantis
The Space Shuttle Atlantis is a retired Space Shuttle orbiter in the Space Shuttle fleet belonging to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration , the spaceflight and space exploration agency of the United States...
while the group are on board. This causes one of the boosters to ignite during the engine test. Launch Control
Kennedy Space Center
The John F. Kennedy Space Center is the NASA installation that has been the launch site for every United States human space flight since 1968. Although such flights are currently on hiatus, KSC continues to manage and operate unmanned rocket launch facilities for America's civilian space program...
is forced to ignite the second booster and launch the shuttle in order to avoid a crash.
The shuttle is not flight ready however, and not only has no long range radio, but is critically low on oxygen, and does not have enough air to last to the re-entry window to land at Edwards Air Force Base. Andie takes the shuttle to the partially constructed Space Station
Space station
A space station is a spacecraft capable of supporting a crew which is designed to remain in space for an extended period of time, and to which other spacecraft can dock. A space station is distinguished from other spacecraft used for human spaceflight by its lack of major propulsion or landing...
"Daedalus" and, aided by Max, retrieves oxygen already stored there. Meanwhile, realizing that while they have no voice communications with NASA they do have telemetry, Tish begins using a switch to send a Morse code
Morse code
Morse code is a method of transmitting textual information as a series of on-off tones, lights, or clicks that can be directly understood by a skilled listener or observer without special equipment...
signal to NASA, but it is not noticed by ground control.
Andie is injured by a depressurizing oxygen canister and, unaware of this, Ground Control begins the autopilot to land the shuttle - closing the bay doors stranding Andie outside. Andie regains consciousness and urges the kids to leave her and take the re-entry window, as the shuttle does not have enough oxygen to make the next window to land at Edwards. Kathryn is unable to make a decision, but Kevin finally shows himself to be the shuttle Commander and overrides the autopilot. In a gamble to bring back Andie, Max suits up for an EVA
Extra-vehicular activity
Extra-vehicular activity is work done by an astronaut away from the Earth, and outside of a spacecraft. The term most commonly applies to an EVA made outside a craft orbiting Earth , but also applies to an EVA made on the surface of the Moon...
and attempts to bring in Andie. During a critical moment, Max begins to panic, until Kevin, knowing that Max is a fan of Star Wars
Star Wars
Star Wars is an American epic space opera film series created by George Lucas. The first film in the series was originally released on May 25, 1977, under the title Star Wars, by 20th Century Fox, and became a worldwide pop culture phenomenon, followed by two sequels, released at three-year...
, begins calling him "Luke"
Luke Skywalker
Luke Skywalker is a fictional character and the main protagonist of the original film trilogy of the Star Wars franchise, where he is portrayed by Mark Hamill. He is introduced in Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, in which he is forced to leave home, and finds himself apprenticed to the Jedi master...
, and tells him to "use the Force
Force (Star Wars)
The Force is a binding, metaphysical and ubiquitous power in the fictional universe of the Star Wars galaxy created by George Lucas. Mentioned in the first film in the series, it is integral to all subsequent incarnations of Star Wars, including the expanded universe of comic books, novels, and...
," which encourages him enough to complete the mission. Having missed the Edwards re-entry window the crew come up with a plan to re-enter and land at White Sands, New Mexico
White Sands Space Harbor
White Sands Space Harbor is the primary training area used by NASA for Space Shuttle pilots flying practice approaches and landings in the Shuttle Training Aircraft and T-38 Talon aircraft. Its runways, navigational aids, runway lighting, and control facilities also stand continuously ready as a...
. Armed with this news, Tish then uses morse code
Morse code
Morse code is a method of transmitting textual information as a series of on-off tones, lights, or clicks that can be directly understood by a skilled listener or observer without special equipment...
to signal NASA to let them try for a landing there.
In Ground Control, Jinx brings the morse code signal to Zach's attention, and they begin preparations for the White Sands landing. With Andie still injured, Kathryn has to fly the shuttle. Kathryn begins to fret and doubt her abilities, however Kevin both cajoles and teases her, and she successfully lands the shuttle.
Characters
- Andie Bergstrom (Kate CapshawKate CapshawKate Capshaw is an American actress. She is known for her role as Willie Scott in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. She is married to Steven Spielberg.-Early life:...
). Andie is a camp instructor and astronautAstronautAn astronaut or cosmonaut is a person trained by a human spaceflight program to command, pilot, or serve as a crew member of a spacecraft....
. She has become frustrated with waiting to be assigned to a mission and is growing tired of chaperoning children at the camp.
- Zach Bergstrom (Tom SkerrittTom SkerrittThomas Roy "Tom" Skerritt is an American actor who has appeared in over 40 films and more than 200 television episodes since 1962.-Early life:...
), the camp director and Andie's husband. In the fictional SpaceCamp universe, he is one of the astronauts that walked on the MoonMoonThe Moon is Earth's only known natural satellite,There are a number of near-Earth asteroids including 3753 Cruithne that are co-orbital with Earth: their orbits bring them close to Earth for periods of time but then alter in the long term . These are quasi-satellites and not true moons. For more...
.
- Kevin Donaldson (Tate DonovanTate DonovanTate Buckley Donovan is an American actor. He is known for his role in the FX drama Damages, as Tom Shayes, and for his role as Jimmy Cooper in the American teen drama television series The O.C....
). Initially arrogant and selfish, Kevin makes it clear from the start that the only reason he attends is because his father bought him a JeepJeepJeep is an automobile marque of Chrysler . The first Willys Jeeps were produced in 1941 with the first civilian models in 1945, making it the oldest off-road vehicle and sport utility vehicle brand. It inspired a number of other light utility vehicles, such as the Land Rover which is the second...
. He has eyes for Kathryn, and steals another kid's Space Camp ID to be in the same group as her. Andie assigns him the role of Commander to teach Kevin responsibility, much to Kathryn's dismay.
- Kathryn Fairly (Lea ThompsonLea ThompsonLea Katherine Thompson is an American actress and director. She is best known for her 1990s NBC situation comedy Caroline in the City and her portrayal of Lorraine Baines McFly, Marty McFly's mother, in the Back to the Future trilogy...
). Kathryn is ambitious, idolizes Andie and wants to be the first woman shuttle commander - but is assigned the pilot role instead.
- Rudy Tyler (Larry B. ScottLarry B. Scott-Career:Scott's film debut was in the 1978 movie A Hero Ain't Nothin' But a Sandwich. He is perhaps best known for playing Lamar Latrell, the openly gay fraternity member in the Revenge of the Nerds series of comedy films from 1984 to 1994. In the 1986 film SpaceCamp he played opposite a then-young...
) loves science (but admits he is not very good at it) and wants to open the first fast food franchise in space - "Rudy T's"
- Tish Ambrosé (Kelly PrestonKelly PrestonKelly Preston is an American actress and former model.- Early years :Preston was born Kelly Kamalelehua Smith in Honolulu, Hawaii. Her mother, Linda, was an administrator of a mental health center, and her father, who worked for an agricultural firm, drowned when Preston was three years old...
). Tish, a typical teenager (and semi-Valley GirlValley girlValley Girl is a stereotype leveled at a socio-economic and ethnic class of American women who can be described as colloquial English-speaking and materialistic...
), appears to be a vapid blonde, but in fact has a photographic memory with perfect scores on her SATSATThe SAT Reasoning Test is a standardized test for college admissions in the United States. The SAT is owned, published, and developed by the College Board, a nonprofit organization in the United States. It was formerly developed, published, and scored by the Educational Testing Service which still...
s.
- Max Graham (Joaquin PhoenixJoaquin PhoenixJoaquin Rafael Phoenix , formerly credited as Leaf Phoenix, is an American film actor. He was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and his family returned to the continental United States four years later...
, then credited as Leaf Phoenix). Max is an eager 12-year-old space enthusiast who bonds with the robot Jinx. Having previously been to Junior Camp Andie finally allows him to stay at the main camp.
- Jinx, the infamous sentient robotRobotA robot is a mechanical or virtual intelligent agent that can perform tasks automatically or with guidance, typically by remote control. In practice a robot is usually an electro-mechanical machine that is guided by computer and electronic programming. Robots can be autonomous, semi-autonomous or...
, who becomes Max's friend. Described by Andie as "the world's only $27-million handyman", it facilitates the group's launch into space, then helps rescue them by discovering Tish's telemetry Morse code. Voiced by Frank WelkerFrank WelkerFranklin Wendell "Frank" Welker is an American actor who specializes in voice acting and has contributed character voices and other vocal effects to American television and motion pictures.-Acting career:...
.
Production notes
The exteriors of the spacecraft launch were from STS-51-CSTS-51-C
STS-51-C was the 15th flight of NASA's Space Shuttle program, and the third flight of Space Shuttle Discovery. It was also the first shuttle mission to deploy a dedicated United States Department of Defense payload, and as such many mission details remain classified...
. The landing footage was from STS-8
STS-8
STS-8 was a NASA Space Shuttle mission which launched on 30 August 1983 and landed on 5 September; it conducted the first night launch and night landing of the program, and flew the first African-American astronaut, Guion Bluford...
.
Reception
SpaceCamp received mixed to negative reviews with only 40% of critics giving it positive reviews on Rotten TomatoesRotten Tomatoes
Rotten Tomatoes is a website devoted to reviews, information, and news of films—widely known as a film review aggregator. Its name derives from the cliché of audiences throwing tomatoes and other vegetables at a poor stage performance...
. Critic Roger Ebert
Roger Ebert
Roger Joseph Ebert is an American film critic and screenwriter. He is the first film critic to win a Pulitzer Prize for Criticism.Ebert is known for his film review column and for the television programs Sneak Previews, At the Movies with Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert, and Siskel and Ebert and The...
gave it a one and half star rating and saying that "Our thoughts about the space shuttle will never be the same again, and our memories are so painful that SpaceCamp is doomed even before it begins." Variety
Variety (magazine)
Variety is an American weekly entertainment-trade magazine founded in New York City, New York, in 1905 by Sime Silverman. With the rise of the importance of the motion-picture industry, Daily Variety, a daily edition based in Los Angeles, California, was founded by Silverman in 1933. In 1998, the...
says that "SpaceCamp never successfully integrates summer camp hijinks with outer space idealism to come up with a dramatically compelling story", while James Sanford of the Kalamazoo Gazette
Kalamazoo Gazette
The Kalamazoo Gazette is the daily newspaper in Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA. The Gazette is owned by Booth Newspapers which is owned by Advance Publications....
responds "Not exactly out of this world". Website At-A-Glance gave the film an even worse review, "It's tough to accept this movie's premise. A bunch of kids are given a tour of the Space Shuttle as NASA is testing its engines. An accident happens, and they, along with their guide, are launched into space. Once up there, can they be talked back down? Add an annoying, seemingly sentient robot into the mix. Add the standard "two dimensional character development" arc, where each member of the cast overcomes his or her single character trait/flaw by the end of the story. Add gobs of sap, gushiness, and boredom. Mix well, and you've got a first-class mess."
Box Office
SpaceCamp had a long history of problems during production. It was originally planned to be released in November 1985, then pushed into early 1986, but was pushed back months later after the Challenger disintegrated during launch. When the film was finally released on June 6, 1986, it was a box office failureBox office bomb
The phrase box office bomb refers to a film for which the production and marketing costs greatly exceeded the revenue regained by the movie studio. This should not be confused with Hollywood accounting when official figures show large losses, yet the movie is a financial success.A film's financial...
, earning only $9,697,739 in the US alone against its $20 million budget.
External links
- SpaceCamp at Allmovie