Lost in Space Reboot 2018, Netflix
Genre: Sci Fi, Family in Peril in Space
Released Date: 18 April 2018 in the UK
Cast:
- Toby Stephens as John Robinson
- Molly Parker as Maureen Robinson
- Ignacio Serricchio as Don West
- Taylor Russell as Judy Robinson
- Mina Sundwall as Penny Robinson
- Maxwell Jenkins as Will Robinson
- Parker Posey as Dr Smith
Lost In Space (Netflix TV Series Reboot)
I am happy to see this classic TV sci fi series Lost in Space return for a deserved 21st century reboot.
I remember rushing home from secondary (high) school to watch the original series (seasons), running for 83 episodes from 1965 to 1968. The first series was made in black & white as colour TV was two years away. The second series introduced colour. Along with ‘Voyage to the bottom of the sea’ and ‘Dr Who’ (1963 to present) & ‘Star Trek’ (1965 to present , were and still are my favourites as with my friends.
Lost in Space is based on the classic 1812 novel ‘Swiss family Robinson’, about a family ship wrecked and castaway in the East indies. The Robinson family learn how to survive and become self reliant.
1965-1968 Family, Don West with Dr. Smith & Robot The 1998 Movie cast
The 1965 modern sci-fi reiteration sees a family of would be forerunners of planet colonisers along with the co pilot Major West and an unwelcome stowaway, enemy agent, Dr. Zachary Smith. Smith was sent aboard to sabotage the Jupiter 2 space craft. He succeeds but gets trapped as the spacecraft is lost in space. Smith brilliantly played by Jonathon Harris continually tries to thwart the family. In later episodes Smith becomes toned down & more comic. His bantering with the robot assistant (who becomes regarded as part of the family) is popular. The Robot’s frequent utterances of “Danger, Danger, Danger Will Robinson!” Smith gets into all sorts of escapades with aliens etc., dragging the family with him. My male school friends & I liked Penny Robinson as she was our age.
The 1998 movie generally keeps the same characters & roles, but is darker than the 1960s innocent TV show. Gary Oldman is excellent as Dr. Smith. technical evolution of SFX (special effects) and CGI (computer graphic imaging) add to the story.
Now the 2018 series approaches and the show’s trailer shows what looks like brilliant SFX and CGI now de rigeur for a successful screen sci fi creation. This time some tinkering with the characters. A mixed race daughter, a reformed rogue finding a family he never had character which replaces that of upright major Don West. Dr. Smith is now portrayed by a woman, which will be interesting as we see how the characters develop. The popular human constructed family robot is replaced by a mysterious alien robot found on planet they land on.
2018 Space Family Robinson
The New Dr. Smith
“Danger, Will Robinson!” Alien robot – friend or foe?
My only regret is that they did not keep the original classic shape I like for the Jupiter 2 spacecraft. I am looking forward to the series.
Jupiter 2 Spacecraft
Original 1960s version
Movie version
