I can’t bring myself to say that the wild, goofy, family-friendly comedy “Space Cadet” is actually a good movie, but it does deliver a lot of daffy fun. This one feels like a Disney Channel movie for a slightly older crowd (think 1997’s “RocketMan“ — not the Elton John biopic), but way more over-the-top. It’s absurd, but still mildly enjoyable (especially if your standards are very low).
Rex Simpson (Emma Roberts) is a quirky Florida girl with dreams of being an astronaut. After some creative “doctoring” of her resume and application, Rex lands herself in NASA’s ultra-competitive astronaut training program. This fish out of water has absolutely no business being there, but that doesn’t stop her from using her charm and quick wits to try to fulfill her dream of going to outer space.
The movie is ridiculous, but in a fun way. It doesn’t take itself seriously at all. The jokes, while cheesy, land more often than not. There’s a lot of how is this happening? moments, but it never quite crosses into cringe territory. Most of the credit goes to the charismatic Roberts, who is just so highly watchable. She carries the film with her charm and comedic timing, making even the corniest bits feel fun.
The supporting cast adds to the chaos, with Poppy Liu playing Rex’s best friend, Nadine, who’s equally clueless but super supportive. Gabrielle Union and Tom Hopper are solid as the NASA program directors, but honestly, it’s Roberts who steals the show. She’s so magnetic and funny that you kind of forget how silly the whole thing is.
“Space Cadet” isn’t going to win any awards for its wacky, unpredictable plot or depth, but if you’re looking for a light, funny flick that you can watch with the kids and grandma, it definitely fits the bill. It’s not good, but it’ll do.
By: Louisa Moore / SCREEN ZEALOTS
