Car fanatic high school student Michael Harlan (a solid and amiable performance by John Stockwell) finds a mysterious globing orb in a military junkyard that he decides to pass off as his science project. Complications ensue when said orb creates a time vortex that threatens to unbalance the whole world.
Writer/director Jonathan R. Betuel relates the enjoyable story at a zippy pace, maintains a likeable lighthearted tone throughout, sprinkles in plenty of slyly amusing pop culture references, and pulls out the outrageous stops for the wild climax. Moreover, it's acted with zest by an enthusiastic cast: Fisher Stevens contributes a hilarious turn as Michael's wisecracking buddy Vince Latello, Danielle von Zerneck radiates tremendous charm as sweet nerdette Ellie Sawyer, Dennis Hopper has a field day as zonked-out ex-hippie science teacher Bob Roberts (and even pokes merry fun as his "Easy Rider" longhair persona), Raphael Sbarge makes a favorable impression as the geeky Sherman, and Richard Masur gets a rare chance to play it broadly as the browbeating Detective Isadore Nulty. In addition, the funky old school practical f/x hold up pretty well, there's a super exciting race against time chase set piece, and the teen protagonists are a colorful and appealing bunch. A total hoot.
Writer/director Jonathan R. Betuel relates the enjoyable story at a zippy pace, maintains a likeable lighthearted tone throughout, sprinkles in plenty of slyly amusing pop culture references, and pulls out the outrageous stops for the wild climax. Moreover, it's acted with zest by an enthusiastic cast: Fisher Stevens contributes a hilarious turn as Michael's wisecracking buddy Vince Latello, Danielle von Zerneck radiates tremendous charm as sweet nerdette Ellie Sawyer, Dennis Hopper has a field day as zonked-out ex-hippie science teacher Bob Roberts (and even pokes merry fun as his "Easy Rider" longhair persona), Raphael Sbarge makes a favorable impression as the geeky Sherman, and Richard Masur gets a rare chance to play it broadly as the browbeating Detective Isadore Nulty. In addition, the funky old school practical f/x hold up pretty well, there's a super exciting race against time chase set piece, and the teen protagonists are a colorful and appealing bunch. A total hoot.