Innerspace (1987) has been an all-time favourite ever since childhood, constantly rewatching a VHS copy taped from Channel 9, back when TV stations would warn viewers with narration/text that the movie had been adjusted to a widescreen format. I think as a kid I took Innerspace for granted with its mix of special effects, action and comedy; it’s actually quite an achievement, a high concept adventure that’s big budget, good natured and still actually funny. Directed by Joe Dante and produced by Steven Spielberg, it riffs on the 1960s sci-fi hit Fantastic Voyage with improved sfx depicting the interior of a human body, while also acting as a variation on the ‘body swap’ plot that was a staple of the Eighties; screenwriter Jeffrey Boam’s basic take on the material was, ‘What if Dean Martin was shrunken and injected into Jerry Lewis’ body?’ Martin Short is hilarious as the highly strung grocery store cashier Jack Putter who finds himself embroiled in a top secret scientific project where a test pilot Tuck Pendleton (Dennis Quaid, peak handsome sleaze) has been shrunk into a miniature submersible and is mistakenly injected into Putter’s body. Short is the only one who can hear and speak to Quaid, and they have to work together to get Quaid out before his oxygen expires including involving Quaid’s journalist ex (Meg Ryan, peak delightfulness). There’s big wacky gags to small distinct touches such as the recognisable troupe of Dante character actors in signature roles: Robert Piccardo as an arms dealer called The Cowboy, Kevin McCarthy as a snarling villain named Scrimshaw, Henry Gibson as Short’s supermarket manager, Dick Miller (of course) as a disgruntled cabbie. It’s a big Looney Tunes cartoon within a special effects movie. I just love the way the movie treats each supporting character or walk-on part like they’re a major star we would recognise – did I mention Vernon Wells from Commando and Mad Max 2 as a silent assassin with a detachable hand? All of this zaniness is complimented by a big sparkling Jerry Goldsmith orchestral score. Available now to stream on Netflix. An absolute classic in my humble opinion. “The Jack Putter machine, zero defects….” Recommended.
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