Thirty Years of Innerspace!

07.10.2017 – “Innerspace” is a 1987 science fiction film based from the an original novel “Fantastic Voyage”, where an experimental vehicle was miniature down to microscopic size intended for exploring a body of an animal. But turns out there is a rival group who wants the technology and plans to weaponized to their own means. The story has its twist and turns involving a hypochondriac Safeway Clerk that’s dealing with personal issues. It has romance (which has to do with Lydian and Tuck), adventure (the technology which needs to be safe from the antagonist), and certainly comedy gold provided by Martin Short. There are so many layers of elements that made this one of the best movies in the 1980s, but in today’s standard of films would anyone still remember Innerspace? Probably the older fans who have seen it several times would attest this is one of those underrated sci-fi flicks of yesteryears. If you look at the cast listing they have the best ensemble featuring Dennis Quiad and Meg Ryan leading the cast. It was executively produced by Steven Spielberg under his Amblin Entertainment, which is why the tone and pace of the film aching to remind you about the Back to the Future Trilogy and why they are considered memorable for its time.

Innerspace is also considered timeless for a dated film as the story doesn’t revolve around too much conundrum about the technology, but its people and relationships just like Jack Putter (Short) being related to a washed up aviator Lt. Tuck Pendleton (Quiad) and Lydia Maxwell (Ryan) made this an exhilarating ride and you’ll never get tired of re-watching this thirty year old film.

This film also feature some supporting actors like the pre-Star Trek Voyager alum Robert Picardo as the memorable “Cowboy” and the late Kevin McCarthy who have appeared in more than 100 films and television performances including this film that found a cult following. Personally, I have not seen Innerspace on the big screen but rather it was shown late night television.

The situation comedy here is the concept of a man in his submarine pod shrunken down to microscopic size and accidentally put inside a man dealing with mental health issues of anxiety while being pursued by the same group of people that is a going after the technology. It’s like watching a thrilling film at the same time getting education of the human biology, which is ahead of its time when it comes to the visual effects using practical concepts as in that time computer graphics are still in its infancy to be used in films or television.

Its concept and narrative is ahead of its time prior to giving inspiration to similar films like “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids” a few years later or the ideas to make Marvel Studio’s Ant-Man (2015) that sort of revolutionary. This put Quaid, Ryan, and Short in map elevating their individual careers to appear in other memorable ones. But that’s another to share. Thirty years of Innerspace may not be monumental but if you’re into science fiction this is one of those gems that you should see. Not to forget Joe Dante is known to direct Gremlins (1984), Small Soldiers (1998), and this film. The music is composed by the late great Jerry Goldsmith who would eventually compose the music for Star Trek the Motion Picture and its franchise in television. There’s no short of accomplishment for this film that probably you hardly knew until now. In case you have the chance to get a copy of Innerspace see it not only for the concept, but appreciate the fun of it.