Flight of the Navigator Reviews
Kelechi Ehenulo VultureHound
When you add up all the evidence, Flight of the Navigator remains one of the most underrated pinnacles of the sci-fi genre, a euphoric mix of pop culture nostalgia and feel-good entertainment.
Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Jul 15, 2020
William Wolf Gannett News Service
Flight of the Navigator, the Disney studio's new movie aimed at children, has the warmed-over feeling of other time-travel yarns. But the story is snappily told and is sure to keep youngsters enthralled.
Full Review | Nov 6, 2019
Emmet Asher-Perrin Tor.com
Flight of the Navigator is almost like two movies in one -- a creepy sci-fi mystery and a BFF road trip comedy all squished up together.
Full Review | Jan 9, 2019
Lee Siegel Associated Press
Flight of the Navigator won't earn a place among Disney's classics. but it's a perfectly entertaining sci-fi movie that does a creditable job with the stale human-meets-alien theme.
Full Review | Oct 25, 2018
Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews
Appealing children's sci-fi fantasy film, that follows the squeaky-clean Disney formula.
Full Review | Original Score: B | Apr 9, 2014
Dave Kehr Chicago Tribune
When the film shifts into the action mode in its second half -- the flying saucer returns to aid in David`s rescue -- it becomes quite bright and lively.
Full Review | Original Score: 3/4 | Apr 1, 2014
Joe Baltake Philadelphia Daily News
The brain-assaulting sci-fi second half of Flight of the Navigator is made palpable by Cramer, who deftly conveys anguish during the first half. Now, he wants to go home and his gung-ho attitude makes every dumb effect exciting.
Full Review | Apr 1, 2014
Candice Russell South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Flight of the Navigator, in spite of a rough beginning, soars as it should, taking a child on the journey of his life.
Full Review | Apr 1, 2014
Paul M. Bradshaw Total Film
The early CG FX have aged remarkably well, while the slow build-up makes the Spielbergian space adventure all the more fantastic.
Full Review | Apr 1, 2014
Desmond Ryan Philadelphia Inquirer
If there is more than a little something borrowed from Spielberg, Kleiser's movie is amiably undemanding entertainment that says the right things, albeit without great originality.
Full Review | Original Score: 3/4 | Apr 1, 2014
John Ferguson Radio Times
This appealing children's adventure has just enough quirky touches to keep adults involved as well.
Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Apr 1, 2014
Jay Boyar Orlando Sentinel
There's no mistaking Flight of the Navigator for a really first-rate children's picture like, say, The Black Stallion. But Flight of the Navigator is an enjoyable film that encourages kids to use their heads.
Full Review | Apr 1, 2014
Tom Cunneff People Magazine
Cramer gives a spirited performance as the title character. Director Randal Kleiser uses a deft touch with his material. The result is a Navigator that's out-of-this-world fun for adults as well as children.
Full Review | Apr 1, 2014
Kevin Thomas Los Angeles Times
Whereas its plot may be derivative--and at several junctures, unconvincing--"Flight of the Navigator" nevertheless manages to develop considerable humor and poignancy from David's predicament and what he does about it.
Full Review | Apr 1, 2014
TV Guide
Not a particularly original or insightful film of its kind, and marred slightly by the whining of Cramer in the lead role, this is nevertheless enjoyable fare for kids.
Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/4 | Apr 1, 2014
Empire Magazine
Never brave enough to feel far-reaching (or, ironically, far-fetched, when time-travel and space flight are so popular at the movies), Navigator still fulfills its mission, distracting the family for bang-on an hour and a half.
Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Apr 1, 2014
Gene Siskel Chicago Tribune
This children's adventure turns out to be, despite its title, less of a Star Wars trip than an entertaining variation on the time-travel adventure Back to the Future.
Full Review | Original Score: 3/4 | Jan 16, 2013
Sarah Wenk Common Sense Media
An exciting time travel adventure.
Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Jan 2, 2011
David Nusair Reel Film Reviews
Innocuously entertaining...
Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/4 | Nov 25, 2010
Variety Staff Variety
Instead of creating an eye-opening panorama, Flight of the Navigator looks through the small end of the telescope. Life on Earth is magnified but without an expansive vision.
Full Review | Mar 26, 2009