If you're going to rip off Star Wars, at least do it right. This film does.

One of my favorite childhood films and also one of the first films to rely on computer generated special effects. Solid acting and directing helps the film holdup against aging production.

Review eventually...

Ah there is nothing quite like reliving a timeless classic the likes of this. Sure the special effects look extremely dated but back in 1984 besides this (and the original Tron) not many other films from that era had CGI. With the way all the major film companies have become over confident in their reliability on computers its somewhat refreshing to go back and see how true movie making was once an actual art form. All in all a quirky little sci-fi/adventure with some romance and comedy thrown in for good measure. Put this one on if you're looking for something that mixes Star Wars with video games while still remaining both original and exciting.

I had been avoiding rewatching this as an "adult" for fear that it would be awful. It kind of is, but not in any way that detracts from it being silly fun. You've got a mishmash of ideas copped directly from the first wave of 80s blockbusters framed by the fantastic idea that playing these newfangled video games is not a waste of your time. Also, a white kid befriends a wheezy alien that looks like a black man's chapped, scaly penis, and there's the stock 80s kid character who swears a bunch and looks at porn. The scale and stakes of the conflict are never really clearly defined, the effects were dated on arrival, the love story feels shoehorned in, and the climactic action sequence never happens thanks to the movie equivalent of a cheat code. So what? It's got monster masks galore and a great Robert Preston performance.

I honestly believe this movie to have one of the most creative premises in all of science fiction. It's too bad it's wasted on a silly 80s movie. It starts off decent enough, but once Alex gets to the station and we meet the villain...all respectability gets tossed out the window. It's fun in a kitsch way, but that about it. And don't get me started on the Disney ending.

I've been awaiting a remake for some time now.

Enjoyed seeing this on the big screen despite the size only serving to highlight some of the terrible CG effects. Still, every bit as fun as it ever was.

I had been avoiding rewatching this as an "adult" for fear that it would be awful. It kind of is, but not in any way that detracts from it being silly fun. You've got a mishmash of ideas copped directly from the first wave of 80s blockbusters framed by the fantastic idea that playing these newfangled video games is not a waste of your time. Also, a white kid befriends a wheezy alien that looks like a black man's chapped, scaly penis, and there's the stock 80s kid character who swears a bunch and looks at porn. The scale and stakes of the conflict are never really clearly defined, the effects were dated on arrival, the love story feels shoehorned in, and the climactic action sequence never happens thanks to the movie equivalent of a cheat code. So what? It's got monster masks galore and a great Robert Preston performance.

This movie is fun. I think that it might be directed more towards a younger audience which isn't a bad thing and there is a message to it about dreams coming true.

It is warm and heartfelt and definitely has some pretty fun to watch battle sequences. I also enjoyed Robert Prestons Centauri character and thought (when I was younger) that his car was just as cool as the Delorean in Back to the Future.

I honestly believe this movie to have one of the most creative premises in all of science fiction. It's too bad it's wasted on a silly 80s movie. It starts off decent enough, but once Alex gets to the station and we meet the villain...all respectability gets tossed out the window. It's fun in a kitsch way, but that about it. And don't get me started on the Disney ending.

I've been awaiting a remake for some time now.

A simple, but fun 80's Sci-fi movie. The CGI certainly has NOT dated well, but considering this was released in 1984 I'm not surprised. It taps into that childhood sense of adventure and imagination. It portrays the wishful thinking you had as a kid, to be part of the game.

The music score throughout as well was great and really added to the atmosphere. Relax, turn your brain off, and enjoy your adventure into space!

Rewatching for first time since 1984. Fun, though not as good as I remember.

Some really really dated special effects but a great story and engaging characters. Follows every boy’s dream into the stars. Guest and Stewart are very engaging actors but were never heard of again – wonder what happened to them. Preston is Preston and that’s always a pleasure to watch

I grew up in the 80's and watched this movie dozens of times. its a guilty pleasure for sure.