explorer and in it exploration of space through the eye of three young boy and show the wonder of discovery and the thrill of flight and and unfortunately and the limit of imagination . there be imagination to spare in this film and up to a point . until that point come and however and we be treat to a parade of funny special effect and some humorous and some painful slice of life from those who grow up not fit in and and most importantly and how friendship can grow into something special . the three boy ( especially phoenix ) make the most of their situation when they discover a way to create their own spaceship and decide to take it for a spin . they end up in out space and land inside the jaw of a wait spaceship . . it about here that the steam start to wear off and and aside from a few old vaudeville routine and some surprising alien exchange and it doesn not really end up as much of an encounter . but still and explorer be a lot of fun on many level and especially if youre a joe dante fan . tidbit when one of the alien do the whole line about space pirate near the end and rating that movie pg 13 and it fit to remember that dante gremlin be the very film that inspire the entire pg 13 debate . seven star . way to go and kid .