explorer tell the story of young science fiction buff ben ( ethan hawke ) who have a vision in his dream that he impart to his whiz kid friend wolfgang ( river phoenix ) . wolfgang use his own technical wizardry to bring this vision to life and together with a third friend darren ( jason presson ) they design a craft that take them into outer space where they have a close encounter . lightweight and certainly likable science fiction fantasy that be good for the young crowd in fact and it be okay for family viewing but for me it be too slowly pace . it waste a little too much time . and now after see it again ( it be year since i last saw it ) i can understand why leonard maltin and his crony would say it take a wrong turn in space . that because there be no substance or importance to the close encounter the outer space portion of the film ramble on pointlessly ( just like the alien ) and in the end it be hard not to be as disappointed a the three young hero . at least it have it heart in the right place . the special effect be practically overwhelming . robert picardo and a veteran of director joe dante movie and display his versatility by play three role represent starkiller and wak and wak and neek father . also feature veteran cult actor dick miller in one of his many role in dante movie . rob bottin and the man behind the alien design ( and who create those memorable werewolf effect for dante the howling ) and be probably give free reign in come up with idea and he come with some pretty funny and fanciful look alien . it not really bad and but it not that good either . phoenix and hawke film debut . 4/10 .