Explorers
It should have been the next E.T. Instead, Explorers is a film that many of you have probably never even heard of. How is it that a sci-fi/adventure movie from the director of Gremlins and featuring the big screen debuts of Ethan Hawke and River Phoenix hasn't garnered more notoriety?
The answer unfortunately arrives once the film enters its final act. Explorers was taken away from Dante during post-production and as a result, nearly an hour's worth of material wasn't just excised... it was never even finished. You'll spend the first 2/3 wondering why this isn't a bonafide classic and the final 1/3 bemoaning all of that wasted potential.
The studio's mismanagement of Explorers is heartbreaking, but despite all of the missed opportunities, this was a beloved staple of Chris's childhood and he thinks there's still enough about it that works to recommend more people check it out.
Topics include: why it was actually the studio's faith in the film that caused all of its problems, the subplot we're most upset they were forced to ditch, how all of the loose threads were tied up in the original ending, Jerry Goldsmith's incredible score, recent plans for some type of remake, and more!
As mentioned on the show, the first episode of Chris and Kristen's web series The Strange Case of Lucy Chandler is out now! Watch it here: https://www.27thLetterProductions.com/lucychandler