Published via Ecency

(source: tmdb.org)

There are films that were quite liked in their time only to be inexplicably forgotten soon afterwards. While watching from today’s perspective, some of the more experienced or perceptive cinephiles might soon recognise at least some of the reasons why. One of such films is Innerspace, 1987 science fiction comedy directed by Joe Dante.

Film begins when hard-drinking US Navy aviator Lieutenant Tuck Pendleton (played by Dennis Quaid) resigns his commission in order to join Silicon Valley company where he would work as test pilot during miniaturisation experiments. Pendleton and his submersible pod are shrunk to microscopic level and is about to be injected into a body of a rabbit when the lab gets raided by mercenaries working for rival company led by Dr. Margaret Canker (played by Fiona Lewis). In the mayhem, leading scientist Dr. Ozzie Wexler (played by John Hora) manages to escape with syringe containing the pod only to be mortally wounded by pursuing mercenary Igoe (played by Vernon Wells). He injects syringe in the body of the first person he meets and that person is hypochondriac supermarket clerk Jack Putter (played by Martin Short). It takes some time before Tuck realises what is going on and even more before he is able to communicate with his host and convince him that he is not possessed by demons or suffering from hallucinations. Tuck’s supplies of oxygen in the pod are limited and he needs to be re-enlarged, which can be done only with experimental chip held by Canker’s company. In order to get it, Tuck and Jack must seek help from newspaper reporter Lydia Maxwell (played by Meg Ryan), who also happened to be Tuck’s former girlfriend.

Innerspace represents almost a textbook example of Hollywood’s “high concept” film. Basic premise, however, wasn’t exactly original and the plot about miniaturised person having to survive in the strange world of human body was already used in 1966 classic science fiction film Fantastic Voyage. This film was originally supposed to be straight science fiction adventure very much like that film, but during the lengthy pre-production Jeffrey Boam turned into comedy. When Steven Spielberg got involved as producer, he brought not only big budget and creative resources, but also Joe Dante who had great success few years earlier with horror comedy Gremlins. Dante was right choice and he directed film with great confidence, providing adequate mix of action and humour and delivering many good scenes. He utilised both picturesque San Francisco locations and Oscar-winning special effects, which were quite good for its age and look impressive even now. Prolific composer Jerry Goldsmith delivered another adequate soundtrack, which was, like in many films of its time, complemented by 1960s classic pop songs, like Sam Cooke’s “Cupid”.

The cast is also very good. Dennis Quaid plays character which is, at least superficially, like the heroic real life astronaut Gordon Cooper he had played in The Right Stuff. He is introduced as pathetic drunk but soon turns out to be the straight, dependable no-nonsense protagonist, although reduced to passive role while being trapped in the tiny pod within another person’s body. When it happens, the film is carried by comedian Martin Short in one of his earliest starring roles. He creates some sort of “buddy buddy” dynamic with Quaid and works very well with the script that at times goes over the top, making his manic performance at times too clownish and sometimes even annoying. Ironically, supporting players Robert Picardo in the hilarious role of technology smuggler called The Cowboy, leaves much more lasting impression. Meg Ryan as obligatory romantic interest is passable and has a clear chemistry with Quaid, quite understandable in light of their real life romance that led to marriage. Veteran Kevin McCarthy is, on the other hand, wasted as the main villain who is simply over the top because of his eccentricity.

Despite a lot of talents and resources involved, Innerspace was box office disappointment. While mostly entertaining, it clearly failed to live to its potential. The main reason might be in creators’ desire to stuff as much material in the film as possible – travel through human body with the aid of special effects, non-stop action, buddy buddy comedy and even some kind of love triangle. The result is quite overlong film that features characters with too little exposition and subplots that aren’t properly resolved, like the film itself. Near the end of the film silliness goes a little bit too far, with protagonists having to deal with dwarfish villains. While far from classic it was supposed to be, Innerspace still can be recommended to audience willing to indulge in Hollywood “high concept” entertainment done right.

RATING: 6/10 (++)