Flight of the Navigator

Flight of the Navigator
Theatrical release poster
Directed byRandal Kleiser
Screenplay by
Story byMark H. Baker
Produced by
  • Dimitri Villard
  • Robert Wald
Starring
CinematographyJames Glennon
Edited by
Music byAlan Silvestri
Production
companies
PSO Productions
Viking Film AS[1][2]
Distributed byBuena Vista Distribution Co. (United States)
PSO Productions (International)[1][a]
Release date
  • August 1, 1986 (1986-08-01)
[3]
Running time
90 minutes
CountryUnited States[4]
LanguageEnglish
Budget$9 million[5]
Box office$18.6 million

Flight of the Navigator is a 1986 American science-fiction adventure film directed by Randal Kleiser and written by Mark H. Baker, Michael Burton, and Phil Joanou. It stars Joey Cramer as David Freeman, a 12-year-old boy, who is abducted by an alien spaceship and transported from 1978 to 1986. It features an early film appearance by Sarah Jessica Parker as Carolyn McAdams, a key character who befriends David in a time of need.

The film's producers initially sent the project to Walt Disney Pictures in 1984, but the studio was unable to approve it and it was sent to Producers Sales Organization, which made a deal with Disney to distribute it in the United States.[1] It was partially shot in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and Norway, being a coproduction with Norwegian company Viking Film.[2]

The film is notable for being one of the first Hollywood films to use extensive computer-generated imagery (CGI) effects. Specifically, it was the first use of image-based lighting and an early use of morphing in a motion picture. It is also known to be one of the first Hollywood productions to feature an entirely electronic music film score, composed using a Synclavier, one of the first digital multitrack recorders and samplers.

The film has since developed a cult following among science-fiction and Disney fans. The latest plans for a reboot were announced in 2021.[6]

  1. ^ a b c Mark Damon; Linda Schreyer (2008). From Cowboy to Mogul to Monster: The Neverending Story of Film Pioneer Mark Damon. Bloomington, Indiana: AuthorHouse. p. 376. ISBN 978-1-4343-7737-1.
  2. ^ a b Charles Solomon (1987-08-01). "Commentary : Computer Graphics Shows Its Stuff". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2012-06-10.
  3. ^ "Flight of the Navigator - 1986 - Joey Cramer, Randal Kleiser - Variety Profiles". Variety. July 30, 1986. Retrieved December 20, 2009. [dead link]
  4. ^ "Flight of the Navigator (1986) | BFI". Archived from the original on August 3, 2017.
  5. ^ "Flight of the Navigator (1986)". The Powergrid. Wrap News inc. Archived from the original on January 10, 2016. Retrieved September 8, 2013.
  6. ^ Disney to reboot 'Flight of the Navigator' with Bryce Dallas Howard at the helm


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