The whole idea behind Lost in Space is that it's the Swiss Family Robinson only on a wrong planet. Well, that was done and the results were an ultra-campy mostly trashy tv show. Abandon all preconceptions ye who enter here, this Lost in Space is not the same.
Change one, high-tech special effects. The movie blows up with a space dogfight in the opening sequence. Not bad.
Change two, dysfunctional family. It's a big problem. There's Dr. John Robinson (William Hurt) who's a dedicated workaholic, with devoted father down the list somewhere. Maureen Robinson (Mimi Rogers), beautiful, intellegent, and iron willed (among other things) who's trying her damndest to keep the family together. Dr. Judy Robinson (Heather Graham). She knows her job, no time for anything else. The other daughter who wasn't in the tv series but she's here anyway played by Lacey Chabert from Party of 5, reprising the role of Claudia, full of angst and pubescent hormones again. And, of course, young Willy Robinson, who's cry for his father's attention goes unnoticed... and he's a genious. Robot. He's changed his look, but he's still pretty cool.
Change three, the more serious nature. No more camp kids. Hey Dr. Smith (Gary Oldman) tried to kill the Robinsons for profit. Of course he's still surly as hell though, something which will never change.
Change four, there's a serious threat to the family's well being. Two of them actually.
Change five, they're not stuck on one damn planet all the time.
Change six, Don West (Matt LeBlanc) and John Robinson are stuck in a power struggle, ie. they don't get along to well.
Oh, all these changes are a good thing.
I know you're wondering by now, what actually goes on in the picture, well, Dr. Smith tries to sabotage Jupiter 1 which is on a mission to establish a warp gate near the planet humans are planning to inhabit since the earth only has about 40 years to live... sorry I lost myself... anywho, Dr. Smith is paid by a different group who wish to establish the warp gate first, thus as the Jupiter 1 is taking off, its controls go all haywire and they wind up heading through a time warp thing and ending up 20 years in the future where they encounter nasty little critters that can eat through anything and then crash onto a planet where a future version of little Will Robinson has created a time warp generator. The big crisis happens, they all pull through, and the film set up for a sequel.
It's actually a really good film, which is well acted (standout performances from Oldman (naturally) and Matt LeBlanc (really) who could be a big action star once that Friends gig goes belly up), thoroughly engrossing, and, well, really cool. I didn't want it to end. The characters were written very well, the actors pinged off eachother perfectly, the effects were better at some times than others but always good enough to satisfy the escapists fantasy. I hope the film does well, cause I want a sequel... so go see it... again!