Prime Video’s “Space Cadet” is like “Legally Blonde” with law students replaced with astronauts-in-training. It also recalls “Private Benjamin.” Or perhaps it’s a comedic “Top Gun” set in space. Or “The Reluctant Astronaut” cast with a doggedly eager recruit whose credentials were fudged due to no fault of her own. But its bones are certainly more “Legally Blonde” than anything else.
The primary shortcoming of “Legally Blonde” was that we were never quite sure whether Elle Woods was the smartest person in the room or an airhead who succeeded despite her dim wit. The script couldn’t seem to make up its mind. There is no such instability with “Space Cadet.” The title of the film notwithstanding, Rex is the real deal. She’s a whip-smart problem-solver. She just had her promising academic career cut short by the death of her mother.
The tragedy of her mother’s death gives depth and a bit of nuance to the protagonist. We don’t laugh at Rex; we laugh with her. It’s a throwback to films that weren’t afraid to be square or even wholesome. A perfect Fourth of July release.
“Space Cadet” (2024)
Director: Liz W. Garcia
Writer: Liz W. Garcia
Stars: Emma Roberts, Peggy Liu, Kuhoo Verma
An ‘AsCan’ with imposter syndrome
The narrative hook of the heroine suffering from a legitimate case of imposter syndrome lends an additional layer of sympathy to the main character. Rex questions whether she belongs in a class of astronaut candidates (known as “AsCans” – a term that never gets old).
Her assorted colorful classmates have doctorates, thousands of hours of flying experience, and even scientific papers of which to boast. Rex can only point to a career of bartending, alligator wrestling and ghost tours (plus some DIY engineering to help save the manatees and improve friends’ tan lines).
“Space Cadet” is not about realism, but it does stray a tad into the absurd. I doubt that alligator wrestling skills could actually transfer directly onto repairing damaged ISS mechanics during a spacewalk. And I’m pretty sure no one can fake piloting a fighter jet. Still, the narrative doesn’t demand too great of a suspension of disbelief. Part of the secret sauce is in the well-cast troupe alongside Rex.
Rex’s best friend Poppy Liu (played impeccably by Nadine Cai) is perpetually pregnant. She serves as a Hardy to Rex’s Laurel. Rex’s love interest, the AsCan’s program co-director (played passably by Tom Hooper) is best summed up by Rex herself as “British and glasses.” And lending his comedic chops to the small role of “the Chief of the Astronaut Office” is actor Dave Foley (“The Kids in the Hall,” “News Radio”). His delivery is nothing short of epically comic.
This isn’t quite the leading role debut of its star, Emma Roberts (daughter of Eric; niece to Julia). She previously starred in “Nancy Drew” – as Nancy Drew. And she got top billing in “Hotel for Dogs.” This film may very well promote her to more meaty roles. She’s got the charisma for thicker stuff.
Dialogue duds don’t diminish dame’s dauntless deeds
For the most part, the script of “Space Cadet” is as smart as Rex herself. The dialogue is bursting with tolerable and occasionally clever one-liners. It suffers a bit from the use of dated Floridian teen-speak like “hardcore,” “rad” and “dude.” Those terms were fresh about 40 years ago.
It would have been better to introduce novel slang as did “Heathers” and “Valley Girl” in their day. Think of how much Jesse Pinkman’s peppering of “bitch” at every turn advances his character in “Breaking Bad.” The language of “Space Cadet” is dull. That’s one quibble, but there are a few more glitches.
A lusterless montage shows Rex and her AsCan-roommate Violet supporting each other; Rex urges the nine-toed Violet to excel in fitness while Violet tutors Rex on the fine points of rocket science. It’s awkward and flat. Then there are the sparks (or rather, the lack thereof) between Rex and the British man with glasses. Under the dictionary heading of “lack of chemistry” there may very well be a cartoon of the scene in which these two cover a County Crows song in a bar just outside the perimeters of the space center.
This is no “Citizen Kane” and it doesn’t pretend to be. It’s fun and watchable. Its strengths lie in avoiding crude humor and embracing the theme of friendship. The film also doesn’t shy away from modeling virtue. The falsehoods that land Rex in AsCan school have their consequences. The value of truth is a real thing in “Space Cadet” and it’s a rare film today that can model virtue without getting embarrassed or hokey about it. Courage, for example. Kindness. And humility.
One final virtue the ancient philosophers overlooked that’s on full display here? A sense of humor.