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Explorers (1985)
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Overview
User Rating:
Your Rating:
Director:
Writer:
Eric Luke (written by)
Release Date:
12 July 1985 (USA)
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Tagline:
You don't need a driver's license to reach the stars. more
Plot:
Ben Crandall, an alien-obsessed kid, dreams one night of a circuit board. Drawing out the circuit, he and his friends Wolfgang and Darren set it up...
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Plot Keywords:
Dream
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Space
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Alien
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Alien Contact
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Exploration
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Awards:
1 win
&
5 nominations
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NewsDesk:
(10 articles)
Ethan Hawke Interview Daybreakers
(From Collider.com. 7 January 2010, 11:21 AM, PST)
Columbus Day Tales Of Discovery, Real And Imagined
(From MTV Movies Blog. 12 October 2009, 12:00 PM, PDT)
(From Collider.com. 7 January 2010, 11:21 AM, PST)
Columbus Day Tales Of Discovery, Real And Imagined
(From MTV Movies Blog. 12 October 2009, 12:00 PM, PDT)
User Reviews:
Classic kids' adventure, hugely underrated
more (61 total)
Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| Ethan Hawke | ... | Ben Crandall | |
| River Phoenix | ... | Wolfgang Müller | |
| Bobby Fite | ... | Steve Jackson | |
| Bradley Gregg | ... | Steve Jackson's Gang | |
| Georg Olden | ... | Steve Jackson's Gang | |
| Chance Schwass | ... | Steve Jackson's Gang | |
| Amanda Peterson | ... | Lori Swenson | |
| Danny Nucci | ... | Nasty Kid at School | |
| Jason Presson | ... | Darren Woods | |
| Dana Ivey | ... | Mrs. Müller | |
| Taliesin Jaffe | ... | Ludwig Müller | |
| James Cromwell | ... | Mr. Müller | |
| Brooke Bundy | ... | Science Teacher | |
| Tricia Bartholome | ... | Girl in Classroom | |
| Eric Luke | ... | Darren's Teacher |
Additional Details
MPAA:
Rated PG for some mild language and action, and a brief scene involving beer. (special home entertainment version)
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
109 min | 100 min (restored video version)
Country:
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints) |
Dolby (35 mm prints)
Certification:
Iceland:L |
Netherlands:MG6 |
Argentina:Atp |
Peru:PT |
West Germany:12 |
Australia:G |
France:U |
South Korea:12 |
Spain:T |
Sweden:11 |
UK:U |
USA:PG |
Singapore:PG
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
River Phoenix originally auditioned for the role of Darren Woods.
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Goofs:
Errors made by characters (possibly deliberate errors by the filmmakers): When Darren puts the headphones on Wak's head, he puts them on the side of his eyes. His ears are much lower on his head.
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Quotes:
Ben Crandall:
Mom.
Mrs. Crandall: Yeah.
Ben Crandall: Remember that stuff you were tellin' me about your dreams and doin' what you want to do. Well, if I really want to be an astronaut and go out in space - and really do that, it'd be ok, right?
Mrs. Crandall: Sure honey, if that's what you really want to do.
Ben Crandall: Ok.
Mrs. Crandall: [hugs him] Sleep tight.
Ben Crandall: Good night.
[then, after she's left the room]
Ben Crandall: Bye Mom.
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Mrs. Crandall: Yeah.
Ben Crandall: Remember that stuff you were tellin' me about your dreams and doin' what you want to do. Well, if I really want to be an astronaut and go out in space - and really do that, it'd be ok, right?
Mrs. Crandall: Sure honey, if that's what you really want to do.
Ben Crandall: Ok.
Mrs. Crandall: [hugs him] Sleep tight.
Ben Crandall: Good night.
[then, after she's left the room]
Ben Crandall: Bye Mom.
more
Movie Connections:
Featured in Transformers (2007)
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Soundtrack:
THIS BOY NEEDS TO ROCK
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FAQ
What's with the ending?more
more (61 total)
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All kids should watch this - between the ages of 6 and 13. I saw this when it came out on video - I was 8 - don't know how I missed it at the cinema - it couldn't have had a big release in the UK. I loved the detail and imagination within this movie - like the one dream that the three boys all share, the sphere they create from their computer, the guard dog they give bubble gum to, the amusement ride seat they turn into their spaceship, with windows made from the fronts of washing-machines and TVs. And our three heroes make a great team. They are all very different in character, yet share that same dream of escape and adventure. Ethan Hawke is the main hero - the one that most viewers will relate to - the average 80's kid hooked on television, daydreaming during school lessons and a huge crush on the girl next door. River Phoenix is his nerdy computer-whiz friend with an Einstein-like crazy father (played by James Cromwell) and Jason Presson is the mature, yet weird kid with a troubled home-life. The magic of this movie is in its innocence and the dreams that the kids are able to turn into reality. The first half is pure 80's kids' adventure movie. The second half becomes pure "Dante", as it dives into 50's-style B-movie sci-fi - exactly what Dante is referencing and sending up, yet paying homage to at the same time. What our heroes find out in space is certainly not what they expect or what we expect. They feel let down by their discovery and in some way, we do too. But there are so many great scenes in this film - the chemistry between the 3 main actors is great - they really bond well together and we get drawn into the film because of Dante's attention to detail in these characters. It's a funny combination of child adventure and B-movie sci-fi but kids will love it, and as you grow up, you learn to see (like many great kids' films) many new details that pass you by as a kid but keep you entertained all over again from a different perspective. A highly overlooked 80's adventure movie, almost as good as The Goonies, but far less commercial, due to Dante's unique approach. Go and see it now, or see it again or watch it with your kids - you will all love it.