Five young trainee astronauts find themselves in space for real after the shuttle they are all in gets accidentally launched into orbit.

Director Harry Winer takes time to develop the main characters, relates the engrossing and enjoyable story at a constant pace, maintains an engaging upbeat tone throughout, and even generates a reasonable amount of tension. The smart script by Clifford Green and Casey T. Mitchell gives each individual crew member a chance to raise to the occasion by putting their special skills to fruitful use. The sound acting by the capable cast keeps this film on track: Kate Capshaw as firm, but fair instructor Andie Bergstrom, Lea Thompson as eager pilot Kathryn Fairly, Kelly Preston as perky and kooky brainiac Tish Ambrosei, Joaquin Phoenix as spunky squirt Max, Tate Donovan as the easygoing Kevin Donaldson, Larry B. Scott as smartaleck Rudy Tyler, Tom Skerritt as the amiable Commander Zach Bergstrom, and Terry O'Quinn as a no-nonsense launch director. The robust orchestral score by John Williams hits the rousing spot. William A. Fraker's slick cinematography provides a pleasing polished look. A fun film.

Andie Bergstrom (Kate Capshaw) is dispirited after getting passed over in the space program. She reluctantly joins her Moon-walker astronaut husband Zack (Tom Skerritt) as an instructor at Space Camp. There is a wide range of camp goers. Kevin (Tate Donovan) is the arrogant cad. Kathryn (Lea Thompson) is the plain-Jane eager flyer. Rudy (Larry B. Scott) is the energetic black kid. Tish (Kelly Preston) is the flighty alien-obsessed communications person. Max (Joaquin Phoenix) is the younger kid who befriends the NASA robot Jinx. The kids are excited to board the real shuttle during a routine engine test. Unbeknownst to anyone, Jinx programs a false incident which forces the shuttle to launch.

This was released less than six months after the Challenger accident. It had no chance in the theaters. It probably did get some after-market success with the kids. This is a kids' fantasy as much as any fantastical world. Everything other than the space stuff reminds me of being in camp as a kid. The movie has two main unrealistic story elements. The robot is ridiculous but it's a necessary story device. The same goes for the accidental launch. It's completely unreal but it's necessary. The positive surprise is the zero G work. I actually believe that they are floating in space. That goes a long way to make the second half of the movie thrilling. It doesn't come off as corny or silly. It's as compelling as many adult space adventures. This movie is surprisingly good.

This film should have been fun. A young Lea Thompson, a young Joaquin Phoenix... and Terry O'Quinn. In space. But it dragged on, had unlovable characters and had no target audience.

Some kids go to a space camp and are accidentally launched into space by a robot friend of theirs (named, appropriately, Jinx). The space scenes are then long, repetitive (the same accident happens twice) and either cheesy or frightening depending on your point of view. Adults will be bored and cheesed out, kids might be scared as the way this was filmed really leaves an eerie sense about it.

There is a budding romance, but unlike the shuttle -- this never takes off. Why it is included in the first place is unclear, except maybe to add extra tension between the characters - but it failed if that was the idea.

A young Lea Thompson should be quirky and attractive, right? I mean, "Back to the Future" is great. But no, she was irritating and average-looking. Not someone you'd want to date, have as a friend or even consider as a role model. Joaquin Phoenix? He's really lucky he ever appeared in movies again this performance. Maybe he can act like Mikey in the Life Cereal commercials, but he doesn't seem to know how to be a normal boy. He doesn't fit in on screen and I don't think we can identify with him at home. I actually would have been happier if he had never returned to Earth.

I don't recommend this film to anyone.