the idea of watch this movie come after see stand by me and learn more about river phoenix accomplishment . be bear in the 80 myself and interested in the teen or adventure movie like stand by me and the goony and i learn about explorer which also feature the late river phoenix . so last night i eventually get to watch explorer . the movie introduce the three main character very well while each have their own background with their own unique capability . wolfgang müller ( river phoenix ) be the intelligent creator of complex thing and ben crandall ( ethan hawke ) be the dreamer but his intelligence be not to be underestimated and darren wood ( jason presson ) be a normal and but a bit lonely and kid who happen to stumble into ben life and see the opportunity to escape from or rather to forget his problem at home for a while . a the movie continue and the plot evolve very well . the switch between excitement and adventure leave the watcher want for more . up until 20 minute or so before the end i think the movie be perfect . the part follow in which the alien be introduce do not contribute much . i think this be mainly because the movie end right after that part . if the writer have write a good end and give a meaning to the whole scene of meet the alien and then i think the movie would have last for about 10 15 more minute . but then again and the movie be about 3 teenager have their dream come true and not so much about meet alien . for me it be the first time i saw ethan hawke play as young a that age ( 15 ) . he be fairly easy to recognize and despite his age he do a very good performance . the same go for jason presson and the late river phoenix and who be barely recognizable . his character be something totally different than he would play in future film . also barely recognizable be robert picardo a wak and wak father and starkiller . know him mostly from his role in star trek represent voyager ( bald ) and ( his voice ) from totall recall i have difficulty actually recognize him . to conclude represent explorer be a delightful and heartwarming teen or adventure film about 3 teenager have their dream come true . all of the 3 main actor and and all support actor and do a superb job . i think this movie be highly underrated and that not many people know it exist . i hope to see more film like this in the future . but nowadays and teen or adventure movie be either complete nonsense or disney movie for child . oh well and i think time just have change . a lot . my score be positive for great acting and a good story but a bit of a let down end .