SpaceCamp (1986)

Aside from 80s fans (of corny movies), I would say this movie is most suitable for young kids who are probably twelve years-old and younger and interested in space exploration or have just a general interest in science. Next to The Explorers, another 80s sci-fi adventure, this is a fun movie about young kids getting to participate in space exploration.

Space Camp is about a bunch of smart kids and teenagers recruited into a camp in which they must master training to be young astronauts. Unfortunately, a small group find out that their training is put to the test a little early, as their inside a shuttle that accidentally launches. They make it all the way to space, capable of seeing the moon and everything, but run out of oxygen. So, this being a family movie, each must overcome their fears and for some, their arrogance, and work together as a team and know that eventually, they'll beat their dilemma. Afterall, it was what they were trained to do.

This movie has a bunch of familiar 80s actors, young and old. Tate Donovan is Kevin Donaldson, a kid who doesn't really care about the importance of Space Camp, he's more interested in girls and he wishes everyone would stop putting so much responsbility on him. Lea Thompson is Kathryn Fairly, the girl he's got his eye on. Kelly Preston is Tish, Scott Coffey is Gardner, Tom Skerrit is Commander Zach Burkstroom, Kate Capshaw is Andie Burkstroom (the leader of the mission), and Joaquin Phoenix is the shrilly voiced irritating youngster wimp of the group who exemplifies the morals of building self-confidence. It may be too corny for teenagers, but young kids might still find this movie enjoyable and hopefully, not too recognizeably dated.