Flight of the Navigator - Still Holds Up (Mostly)

Okay, so I rewatched Flight of the Navigator the other night. Nostalgia trip activated, you know? For those who haven't seen it, it's about this kid, David, who disappears for like, eight years and comes back the same age. Turns out, he was zipping around in an alien spaceship. I remember being absolutely blown away by this movie as a kid, especially the special effects. And honestly, they're not terrible even now! Max, the ship's AI, is still hilarious. Paul Reubens kills it with that voice. What really stood out to me this time, though, was the pacing in the first act. It's tight! David getting lost, the missing time, his parents' reaction... they nail the confusion and emotional impact really well. The tension builds nicely. Where it kinda loses me a bit is once he's fully on the ship. Some of the alien creatures felt a little...dated? And the whole plot about needing David's brain to unlock the ship's secrets felt a little convenient, even for a kid's movie. But hey, I'm willing to suspend disbelief for the sake of the adventure, right? I do think the ending is a bit rushed. Like, they solve the 'brain problem' and suddenly he's just flying back to his own time? It felt like there was a scene or two missing there. I would've LOVED to see more of David processing everything post-flight. Maybe a scene with his younger brother? Overall though, it's still a fun watch and a great reminder of that 80s sci-fi vibe. Definitely worth checking out again if you haven't seen it in a while, especially if you are into slightly weird movies with heart. 8/10 from me!