Innerspace--Review

Science fiction/comedy/action/ adventure/romance. Can a movie really be all these things at one time? And be good? No chance, you say. Well, I would have, too, before seeing Innerspace. But it's a terrific movie. At least this once, the moviemakers have done everything right.

Innerspace boasts top-of-the-line special effects, a zippy plot that hardly ever falters, and enough physical and verbal comedy for 10 movies. There's even a car chase sequence that is SO original... No matter how many variations you've seen, I'll bet this one will still surprise and delight you.

But, in addition to all the razz-ma-tazz—and this is what makes it so special—it shows us three-dimensional, believeable, sympathetic characters. Their relationships interest and involve us. And they have problems that seem—gasp!—suspiciously adult-like.

Tuck (Quaid) is reluctant to make a commitment to Lydia (Ryan), for example. And she loves him too much to leave him even though he brings her nothing but trouble. Jack (Short) is such a worrier and hypochondriac that he's supporting his doctor's practice almost singlehandedly.

The human interest parts of the story aren't perfectly integrated with the rest. The first 10 minutes or so, where we're introduced to the characters, is somewhat awkward and downbeat. But we ARE introduced to characters, they DO have real problems, and they have our sympathy from the start. By the time the real story actually gets rolling, we're already hooked.

Ryan is pretty, plucky and sexy, just as she was in Top Gun. Tuck is a role made to order for Quaid: all swaggering, obnoxious charm on the outside, and old softy underneath. Short is the real star of the show, however. His physical gyrations are hilarious, his punch lines are perfect, and his crush on Lydia is sweet and touching.

Vernon Wells (from The Road Warrior) is the most interesting of the bad guys. But there is a bevy of enjoyable cameos sprinkled throughout, too, featuring familiar faces such as William Schallert as Jack's doctor, Kathleen Freeman as the supermarket nightmare lady, and Kenneth Tobey and Orson Bean in brief scenes.

The story of Innerspace is so outrageous and complicated that a simple plot summary is probably impossible. But even if I could give you one, I would hesitate to do it. It's such a delightfully different movie that I would hate to spoil any of its surprises.

But a few hints won't hurt. It involves miniaturization, industrial espionage, a power-mad master criminal with a few screws loose (Kevin McCarthy) and a Dr. Stranglove-like hit man (Wells) with a deadly trigger finger.

Director Dante's previous biggest hit was Gremlins (1984), another wildly original but extremely well-made fantasy. Innerspace is even better. Gremlins, for all of its technical virtuosity, had a mean streak that was somewhat disquieting. With Innerspace, Dante retains his superior technique, but reveals a heart as well. It's one of the summer's—and the year's—best.

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