Lost in Space review: Netflix’s sci-fi reboot takes a small step into the future, and a second

More danger is ahead for Will Robinson and his family, now that Netflix has renewed its Lost in Space reboot for a second season.

With Elon Musk talking about getting his Mars colony up-and-running by 2040, this Netflix reboot doesn’t require such a giant leap of the imagination.

Irwin Allen’s somewhat cheesy 1960s sci-fi program gets a cinematic upgrade for the Netflix age with Lost In Space.

But this isn’t the first time Lost In Space received a big budget update.

Remember, in 1998, the Stephen Hopkins-helmed Lost In Space blasted into theaters, bringing with it a blockbuster mentality and some truly terrible special effects.

Netflix’s take, thankfully, improves on this formula in nearly every conceivable way.

Set 30 years in the future, where the Robinson family’s bid to be part of a colonization of a planet near Alpha Centauri is derailed by a long series of most unfortunate events, the new Lost in Space stars Toby Stephens (Black Sails) and Molly Parker (Deadwood) as parents John and Maureen, while Maxwell Jenkins, Mina Sundwall and Taylor Russell play kids Will, Penny and Judy.

Ignacio Serricchio (Bones) and Parker Posey round out the cast as Don West and Doctor Smith. And there’s also an alien something nicknamed Robot.

No longer a perfect 60s nuclear family, the Robinsons have gained some 21st-century attitude and dysfunction – and their robot no longer looks made of cardboard.

There is nothing cardboard about the new one – a serious Netflix budget sees to that.

We also learn that the Robinson clan wasn’t exactly a stable, happy family before blasting into space. The parents aren’t really together; Maureen and John are estranged, nearing divorce. As a result of this, John is practically a stranger to his kids, and part of the show involves father and children reconnecting as the adventure unfolds.

The kids have modern anxieties and problems. On the way to establish a new colony, they crash on a planet that has extreme geography, weather and mystery.

The first episode is packed with nail-biting action and literal cliffhangers. Matriarch Maureen (Molly Parker) has broken her leg, Judy is trapped under the ice, time is running out. Employing quick-thinking problem solving, the Robinson clan works hard to save each other from catastrophe. They also get some unexpected help – during his separation from the family, Will saves the life of a strange, possibly alien robot. The robot proceeds to follow Will back to his family, and assist in the rescue of Judy. From here, Lost In Space is off to the races.

Over the next few episodes, the immense scenes continue to give to the audience with flashbacks to fill in the holes in space and time, and the introduction of other survivors, (Yes, there are other survivors!) including wicked stowaway Dr Smith (Parker Posey – Dr Smith is now a woman). After that, it can settle into an orbit of family adventures.

Posey’s Smith is more complicated. She’s obviously not who she says she is, but her motives are an ever-present mystery. Perhaps the only real motive she has is self-preservation. Smith moves from one person to the next, constantly working to turn characters against each other.

Smith’s doings are villainous, but Lost In Space is smart enough to not make the character seem reprehensible. The strength of the character lies within the way Posey makes Smith somewhat sympathetic.

Each episode employs a similar formula – the Robinsons get in danger, and they have to work together to save each other before it’s too late. They’re not alone, however. There are more survivors who have crashed on this planet, and a community begins to take shape.

FINAL THOUGHTS…

Netflix updates the classic series Lost In Space for a whole new generation. It looks great. We love the new Chariot. And more importantly…

its fun.

But sadly, nor does it boldly go where no sci-fi show has gone before.

Meet your new Dr. Smith and Will Robinson: Parker Posey and Max Jenkins in Netflix’s Lost in Space.

Some of the characterisation is flat, best… crude and ill-informed. Doc Smith, for example, is a two-dimensional comedy baddie rather than a proper villain to have nightmares about.

The parents’ marital issues are touched on rather than fully explored.

The kids are annoying, although, well, they’re kids, they’re allowed to be. And the other stranded families will be… cannon-fodder for season two!

Unlike some other Netflix shows, Lost in Space isn’t designed to be binged. An episode here, and an episode there. It’s an episodic series that’s better experienced in spurts.

Actually Lost in Space is probably better when viewed over an extended period of time. Barreling through its ten episodes in a weekend is bound to expose the show’s redundancies, most notably its tendency to fling calamity after calamity at the Robinsons.

If they continue to get it right, Lost In Space could run for light years.

Soooooooo, savour your journey with the Robinsons!

Keep watching!

3.5/5 STARS

Did you already binge Season 1 of Lost in Space? If so, what did you think? And are you now glad to know the Robinson’s story will continue?