Forever Young (1992)

Just for someone who has a broken heart...in the begining start well on sci-fi genre,while in the future became a melodrama and some childsh acting,perhaps miscasting by Jamie and Isabel who weren't in the level of Gibson,great to see Elijah Wood as a child,the picture didn't take off,a bit slow dow.....but still interesting to see,if you don't have anything to do!!Not convincing!!Resume:First watch: 1996 / How much: 3 / Source: TV-DVD / Rating: 7

Before J.J. Abrams was making a name for himself with Alias, LOST, Fringe, Super 8, and Star Trek/Wars, he was young screenwriter "Jeffrey Abrams" writing the screenplay for this Mel Gibson vehicle. While the film as a whole is only decent, it is fascinating to get a glimpse into the early film musings of Abrams.For a basic plot summary, "Forever Young" tells the story of Captain Daniel McCormick (Gibson), a military test pilot in 1939 who sees his fiancée Helen (Isabel Glasser) involved in an accident and rendered comatose. Overcome with grief, Daniel persuades inventor friend Harry Finley (George Wendt) to enroll him in an experimental freezing process (to last a year) so he doesn't have to watch the love of his life slowly die. Daniel is indeed frozen...but wakes up in 1992 instead of 1940. Taken in by single mother Claire (Jamie Lee Curtis) and son Nat (Elijah Wood), Daniel must assimilate back into culture while at the same time untangle those missing years.There are unique elements to this script that I see Abrams' handprints all over. It's a mix of science fiction, romance, drama, and adventure, and all those elements work well together. The premise is interesting, the acting is quite good, and there really are some great scenes featuring Gibson and Wood (their chemistry almost steals the show at times). The film doesn't really do anything flashy or have any special effects at all, but it is able to create some great character moments and tug at the emotions.The problem with "Forever Young", however, is that the climax isn't nearly as interesting or well- executed as the setup. In the final third of the movie, I kept waiting for a big, emotional character moment, or some kind of interesting plot twist, but neither were in the offing. Instead, it unfortunately just kind of plays out rather predictably and loses much of its steam.Overall, I consider "Forever Young" to be a rather average film, but potentially more interesting when considering the legacy that J.J. Abrams might leave on the film industry when all is said and done. I can easily see the Abrams-ness of the movie, but it just isn't as polished or interesting as his subsequent works. This is a flick that can be enjoyed by the entire family (really no questionable material besides a few curse words), however, so it still retains a decent amount of value.

Some films are so brilliant, so lovely, so acutely heart felt, that sometimes they are impossible to even talk about, let alone do a review, no matter how hard you try, but ille try.There is a lot of intellectual comment on here that misses the heartfelt romance of the story, because the ending where Mel Gibson finds his lost love will make you weep for joy, and cry out loud at the same time.Lets face it, there cannot be a person anywhere in the world, who has not lost someone they cared about, and wanted to be with, and would give their right arm to find that person and be with them again, because this is at the core of the story of Forever Young.We can forget the intellectual cynicism in other Reviews, we can forget the implausibility of the story, we can just go along with Mel Gibson's character, and rejoice in the beautiful ending

In 1939, When Capt. Daniel Mc Cormick's (Two Time Oscar-Winner:Mel Gibson) girlfriend Helen (Isabel Glasser) went to a deep coma after getting hit by a car. While Daniel is extremely depressed and lack of hope. He convinces his best friend Harry (George Wendt) to use Daneil as a test subject for Cryogenics. Which Daniel wants to be frozen until his girlfriend is awake. More than fifty years later... When a young boy named Nat (Elijah Wood) and his best friend Felix (Robert Hy Gorman) are checking out the military base in the storage area and they accidentally thawed him. Now Daniel is been sleeping for over five decades, he wakes up into a completely different world. Daniel finds the boys, who awake him up. Which Daniel wants their help to find his best friend and his girlfriend if they are still alive but slowly Daniel finds himself in a strong bond with Nat and a kind friendship with Nat's mother Claire (Jamie Lee Curtis).Directed by Steve Miner (Day of the Dead "2007", House, Texas Rangers) made an enjoyable, if corny fantasy drama with the right amounts of comedy and romance. It's nice to see Gibson in a relaxed laid-back performance as Daniel, which Gibson is best known for the "Lethal Weapon" Series and the "Mad Max" trilogy. The movie's best moments are the scenes between Gibson and Wood makes this premise works. This was an modest hit, when it was released in the winter of 1992. But over the years, it went on to be an minor classic and fans of Gibson's work enjoyed it. But also, i think it's Miner best work as a filmmaker. Since he had a long career making different type of movies for Hollywood both big or small budgeted features. This also has an nice music score by the late Oscar-Winner:Jerry Goldsmith (Alien, L.A. Confidential, The Omen). Written by J.J. Abrams (Mission:Impossible 3, Joy Ride, Regarding Henry). (****/*****).