Netflix is all set to premiere its family-focussed sci-fi show 'Lost In Space' on April 13 and we got to watch the first five episode in the series which is not your typical, dark reimagination of the original (released in 1965). Although teasers of the show did hint at a more serious approach, Lost In Space is not a grim tale of impending doom and end of days, instead it breaks away from the clutter of seriousness, presenting a story of adventure and hope in the wake of a catastrophic extinction event.
The story of Lost In Space revolves around the Robinson family of five, who, after receiving some hardcore space survival training, are selected to colonise a new planet after an unknown environmental disaster renders Earth uninhabitable. However, things don’t go as planned and the Robinsons’ spaceship ends up crashing on an unknown planet which is luckily ideal for human survival, or so it seems. Unfamiliar with the weather conditions and topography of this strange land, the stranded Robinsons find themselves falling into all kinds of trouble, but their collective intelligence and skills help them survive, and bring them closer together as a family.
If the story sounds too ‘goody two shoes’, it’s because it probably is. The show, of course, has its antagonists (revealing which would be a spoiler), but the idea is that of a thrilling exploration adventure which is PG-rated at best. Now that’s not necessarily a bad thing since there really is a dearth of sci-fi content that families can enjoy together. Lost In Space bridges that gap to some extent. There will be times the show comes off as a tad bit immature, but you have to watch it from the eyes of a pre-teen to find those magical moments, which as kids, made us fall in love with the genre of science fiction.
Actors Molly Parker (Maureen Robinson) and Toby Stephens (John Robinson) play the quintessential couple, albeit, with some marital issues. Taylor Russell, Mina Sundwall, and Maxwell Jenkins play the three kids – Judy Robinson, Penny Robinson and Will Robinson. If the goal of the series was to present them all as protagonists then it has been achieved successfully. Each role has been given equal weight and parts have been played well. Other characters, including that of Dr Smith (Parker Posey), Don West (Ignacio Serricchio), and the famous Robot complete the main cast of the series.
Written by Matt Sazama and Burk Sharpless (Dracula Untold, Last Witch Hunter), and featuring Zack Estrin (Prison Break) as showrunner, Lost In Space is a visually rich experience, one you would generally associate with the silver screen. From endless snow capped mountains to tropical landscapes lush with greenery, scenes from the Earth-like exoplanet actually make you want to pack your bags and get away from the hustle of polluted city life.
All in all, sci-fi fans who expect a dark and gritty offering may be disappointed, but those looking for a wholesome, feel-good, family space adventure are in for some fun times. I suggest you watch the show on a big, quality (at least 1080p) screen, rather than on your phones or laptops to truly enjoy its cinematic visual appeal.