Disney has had a long and storied history over the last century, but even the most dedicated of fans would agree that most of their films from the 1980s are often the ones that get the most overlooked. Especially when it comes to their live-action films from that era, there are plenty that most modern audiences have either heard but never seen or are still completely unaware of. Although Flight of the Navigator could certainly be considered one of these, it has gained a significant cult following over the last four decades. Not only were the special effects considered to be groundbreaking for their time, but the thrilling sci-fi story is something that’s been miraculously able to capture the hearts of both kids and adults alike. Even certain celebrities can’t help but express nostalgia for it, drawing more attention from those who have not experienced the underrated classic.
Alan Ritchson, currently best known for playing the titular hero in Prime Video’s Reacher series, is a man of many talents, but he also happens to have a refreshingly impeccable taste in film as well. He’s mentioned that Flight of the Navigator happens to be his favorite film (or at least one of them), but even if that kind of endorsement isn’t enough to convince anyone to give it a chance, there are plenty of other aspects that are sure to attract their interest. It’s one of the best films to come out of what has been known as the “Dark Disney” era that the company was experiencing at the time of its production and release. Audiences who have yet to check it out for themselves might be surprised by just how well it manages to hold up after all these years.
The Story of Flight of the Navigator Is Unlike Any Other From Disney
David sits on the ship in Flight of the NavigatorImage via Disney
Flight of the Navigator tells the story of a 12-year-old Floridian boy named David, who, after falling into a ravine one night for only what feels like minutes, later makes his way home to find that 8 years have mysteriously passed. His family, along with the rest of the world, has all aged around him, and while no one knows for sure the circumstances of his disappearance, a group of scientists begins to suspect that it may be connected to the sudden appearance of a mysterious extraterrestrial spacecraft. As the scientists start to uncover the hidden messages and star-charts encoded within David’s mind that are connected to the ship, the boy begins to feel drawn more and more to its presence. When David eventually befriends the ship’s robotic commander (voiced by Pee-Wee Herman himself, Paul Reubens) and learns the truth behind his eight-year absence, it leads to an unexpected high-flying adventure as they both seek out a way to return the boy to his original time.
The first half of the film plays out almost like the opening of a Stephen King novel. The intriguingly tense build-up and the subtle reveals behind the mystery behind David’s appearance and his connections to the ship are not just terrifically written and well-paced, but it’s the performances from the cast, especially Joey Cramer as David, that make it all the more engaging. It’s the second half, however, in which David finally infiltrates the ship and connects with Max, that the real sci-fi fun of the story begins to kick in.
Not only does the comedic vocal talent of the late Paul Reubens provide some lighthearted laughs, but seeing David pilot the ship is something that gives the audience a fun fantasy ride to partake in. It’s the kind of film that both kids and adults can find equal enjoyment in, and it clearly shows by the fact that Alan Ritchson, of all people, still enjoys it for what it is and still holds it in such high regard after all these years.
Alan Ritchson Has Cited Flight of the Navigator as One of His Favorite Films
The works of Disney are the kinds of films that have been so easily passed down over generations, and it’s become so easy for anyone of any age to look at just a still frame from a certain film and immediately identify which one it’s from. To this day, there are many parents out there who love introducing their own personal favorites to their children in the hopes that it’ll have a similar effect on them as well, and Ritchson has already done just that with his own.
According to an article from Men’s Journal, Ritchson was quoted as not only sharing that not only is Flight of the Navigator one of his “favorite movies”, but that re-watching it gave him the perfect excuse to also allow his three sons to experience it with him for the first time.
Even though Flight of the Navigator hasn’t quite reached the same heights of recognition as other classic live-action Disney films, like Tron or Mary Poppins, the fact that it’s received such an endorsement from one of TV’s biggest stars is something that is more than certain to draw more people’s attention toward it. It’s about time it did, too, because those who have already seen it would certainly agree that it’s gone far too overlooked for far too long by the general Disney audience.
What Makes Flight of the Navigator an Underrated Classic?
David examines the aliens Max has collected in Flight of the Navigator.Image via Walt Disney Pictures.
Flight of the Navigator is the kind of film that, despite its cult classic status, definitely deserves to be seen and appreciated on a much wider scale, so that those who haven’t seen it can learn to appreciate what has made it resonate so much among those who have. In all the best ways, it feels like the exact kind of sci-fi family film that would’ve come out of the 80s, and, much like A Goofy Movie, being a product of its time, with its electronic synth score and overall technical aesthetic, is something that certainly works to its advantage. Its story, as well as its tone, offers the kind of experience that evokes the feeling of being a kid again, one that adults can even enjoy shamelessly on their own.
The practical effects, from the authentic interior of the ship to the puppetry of Max and the aliens, are an absolute wonder to behold, and even the effects of the ship flying around, for being one of the very first examples of a film incorporating a heavier use of CGI, still hold up surprisingly well by today’s standards. On top of all of that, it also helps that David himself is such an easily identifiable protagonist, and he makes it easy for both kids and adults to imagine themselves in his shoes and want to see him make it back home.
Since around 2009, there have been rumors circulating that a remake of the film is in the works, but given Disney’s recent track record of criticisms geared toward their current trend of remakes, most fans would agree that, at least for now, it’s probably not a good idea. Of course, that’s not to say that some of their live-action remakes haven’t worked out, as many would argue that the 2003 version of Freaky Friday and the 2016 version of Pete’s Dragon completely blow their predecessors out of the water. As far as fans of the original are concerned, however, there’s only one navigator, and it’s about time that he flew into more people’s orbits.
Release Date
July 30, 1986
Runtime
90 Minutes
Director
Randal Kleiser
Writers
Michael Burton, Matt MacManus
Joey Cramer
David Scott Freeman
