(Credits: Far Out / Gage Skidmore)
Tue 25 November 2025 0:30, UK
Alan Ritchson may be best known as the actor who appropriately captured the essence of Jack Reacher after Tom Cruise’s film franchise flamed out, but it would be a mistake to characterise him as nothing but a rough and rowdy tough guy.
Although he’s appeared in more than a few action franchises, he’s equally prolific elsewhere, such as in the sports comedy Turkey Bowl, the faith-based drama Ordinary Angels, and the family film Playdate. Thus, if you think that his selection of roles seems somewhat unpredictable, it should come as no surprise that his all-time favourite movie is a somewhat obscure Disney cult classic from 1986, which the actor revealed in a Facebook video he showed to his kids because he thought it was “one of the greats”.
Flight of the Navigator may have initially earned only muted reactions, perhaps because it debuted amidst a plethora of sci-fi and adventure films that featured kids as the primary characters. With ET the Extra-Terrestrial, Explorers, and Gremlins all being massive hits, the former might have at first glance looked somewhat derivative; however, a closer look would reveal that it was quietly making some extraordinary leaps forward with technology.
The Disney film utilised computer-generated imagery in many scenes set in space, which wasn’t a common trend at the time; before the release of Terminator 2: Judgment Day and Jurassic Park in the early ‘90s, it was rare to see extensive CGI and morphing effects. Moreover, the film also had an electronic musical score that was very distinct from the more operatic style of John Williams’ music that had dominated the era.
Beyond its technical achievements, Flight of the Navigator took an interesting approach to the concept of time travel when its protagonist, the 12-year-old David, played by Joey Cramer, is accidentally sent eight years into the future by aliens. Rather than focusing on the leaps forward in human evolution made within a relatively short window of time, it touched upon mathematical and philosophical theories about how to return to a core timeline without causing any ruptures in physics.
Director Randal Kleiser may not be a household name, but this futuristic saga isn’t the only classic on his resume, with his being responsible for revitalising ‘50s nostalgia with the original Grease, and making one of the best Jack London adaptations ever with 1991’s White Fang.
Kleiser’s ability to combine groundbreaking technical achievements with genuine emotion was one of his best qualities, and although Flight of the Navigator is a spectacle, it also features strong performances, including an early appearance by Sarah Jessica Parker.
Unlike other ‘80s family classics like The Karate Kid and The Goonies, this Disney offering hasn’t had its cultural reappraisal quite yet, and although, at one point, Bryce Dallas Howard was set to direct a reimagining of the film for the production house, word on the project has been quiet since it was announced in 2021.
That being said, Ritchson’s words of praise about a film that he has clearly enjoyed showing to his own family might be enough to encourage more people to either rewatch Flight of the Navigator in a new light or see it for the first time.
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