Still Watching the Skies: Episode 145 “Explorers”

By Robert Reineke

This month, Robert, Nat, and Cody are joined by Jim Laczkowski as we review the boyhood adventure that is Joe Dante’s EXPLORERS.

EXPLORERS was Joe Dante’s follow up to GREMLINS. Although he didn’t originate the project, by all accounts he was excited to do it. And he cast two kid actors that would leave an enduring impression in Ethan Hawke and River Phoenix.

Famously, EXPLORERS was never completed to Joe Dante’s expectations as the studio rushed the film to release. And it’s not difficult to tell, as we discuss, as the final product seems incomplete. Couple that with opening on same weekend as Live Aid and tepid reviews, see below, didn’t help matters and EXPLORERS was ultimately condemned to be a cable and cult favorite than the blockbuster the studio foresaw.

Yet the film does have a cult following. And that’s not nothing. It’s probably the most heartwarming and sincere movie Joe Dante ever made. Some of his satirical bite is still there, including a parody of 50s science fiction in the form of the fake film Starkiller.

Coupled with a fine score from Jerry Goldsmith, a charming cast, some really nice special effects, Dick Miller, and what appears to be a heartfelt and earnest message, it just needs to bring it home in a third act. And yeah, despite some moments, a big “What?” seems to be the only response from most of us as the third act doesn’t really bring new ideas to the table but reflects pop culture back at the characters to have them try to find some meaning in it. Joe Dante proved his ability to make connections from disparate sources in THE MOVIE ORGY and there are moments here as well, which we certainly discuss.

And we have a lot to discuss, from 1950s science fiction films, many of them covered on this podcast, making appearances throughout to what it all means and what could have been. We also are unanimous in wanting more Dick Miller.

Still, even if the film struggles to bring it all together, there is certainly charm and ambition on display. So, come join our discussion.

No need for go made on a trip across the cosmos to enjoy the podcast; give us a play below or download the episode. Also, feel free to let us know what you think by commenting on our page at Facebook or you can Email Us at skiespocast@gmail.com as we appreciate feedback.

Time tracks:
0:00:00 – EXPLORERS (1985) Discussion
1:15:27- Next Movie and Outro

Next month, things get spooky and weird as we journey back to the 1930s and Tod Browning’s THE DEVIL-DOLL. We hope you’ll join us.

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Robert Reineke

Robert Reineke was born in the dark era before cable television, but somehow survived based on a steady diet of Universal Monsters, Hammer Horror, 1950s science fiction, and Godzilla on his local UHF station. As a college student, he discovered the works of David Lynch and Akira Kurosawa which opened up different vistas for him. When he’s not doing useful things like heading up environmental investigations and cleanups or designing sewers, you can find him watching movies, writing about them, and talking about them. He’s a booster of the Milwaukee Film Festival. Somehow he puts up with young whippersnappers Nat Almiral and Cody Lang on the Still Watching the Skies podcast.