Flight of the Navigator - Movie Reviews (2024)

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

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

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

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

Appealing children's sci-fi fantasy film, that follows the squeaky-clean Disney formula.

Full Review | Original Score: B | Apr 9, 2014

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

An exciting time travel adventure.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Jan 2, 2011

Innocuously entertaining...

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/4 | Nov 25, 2010

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