As is becoming the norm with cinema remakes of TV classics, several of the original cast members make guest appearances, though it's a a shame Jonathan Harris (who played the original and very eeeeeeevil Dr Smith) is a not present and accounted for in a cameo.. still, it's great to June Lockhart (the original Maureen) make fun of herself in a small role at the beginning of the film as Young Will's School head principal.

Planet earth is running out of natural resources at such a high rate that the inhabitants have no choice but to move to another planet or they'll soon die.  Luckily for Earth Dr John Robinson (played by the ever cool William Hurt) has devised a portal to transport people from earth to another location with a receiving portal dome thingy.  The nearest and most suitable habitable planet is Ten earth years away by ship and the entire Robinson family, Maureen(Mimi Rogers) Judy(Heather Graham) Penny(Lacey Chambet..the annoying little troll) and WIll(Jack Johnson)) are going with Dr John to outer space .  The catch is that they all must be Cryogenically frozen for the 10 year trip. 
Meanwhile, the Alliance, (the enemy) have created a portal of their own and are racing to beat Dr John and his team.  As a result of this competition, the Jupiter mission Pilot is "mysteriously killed".  In steps rogue pilot Don West (Matt Le Blanc) to save the day and fly and ship. 
however, to complicate matters, there is a sabatore amongst the crew and staff of the Jupiter mission.  Dr Smith (everyone's fav evil vampire Gary Oldman) sneaks on board the Jupiter prior to the launch to cause more havoc for our Space tripping family, only to end up on board with no way out!!!!!

As with any movie written by Akiva Goldman, this Film version of Lost In Space is a strictly "leave you door at the brain" event.   You've been warned :-)

So How Does This Transfer Hold Up??
Much like a pregnancy, it took Roadshow 9 months to delivery this baby.  Other than a few authoring hiccups (that are common amongst ALL studios) LIS was remastered several times to accommodate lots of additional features.  Presented in a beautiful 2.35:1 16:9 Enhanced image, this DVD is damn close to reference quality.  The picture is very sharp with a rich array of colours, terrific detail and a spot on black level.  Only now and then does some minor aliasing get in the way.  In fact in comparing this region 4 version to the USA region 1 version, I saw even LESS evidence of cross talk and aliasing on OUR version.  Generally speaking the detail of ours is quite superior to the region 1 counterpart (which is still very good in its own right). 
Being a Dual Layered DVD this movie has wisely been spit over two sides of the disc to get the best picture possible.  The layer change occurs from Chapter 17 to 18 at a placed fade to black (time frame is 94:22).

On the Audio side of things, ours is AGAIN superior to the region 1 version.  The front sound stage in particular has a richer and fuller sound, with a massive bass attack.  This is an exceptionally aggressive 5.1 mix, that is only occasionally marred by New Line's infamous sloppy ADR work.  (Which here is exaggerate by my pioneer 717, yet looks quite acceptable on Cass's Sammy 907).
Having access to the region 1 version of this DVD I was able to compare the soundtracks and found audio sync problems associated with our region 4 version to be ever so similar to the region 1 version.  The evidence of out of sync audio is player dependant, some exaggerate it, some don't!!!!  bummer

As I mentioned above, Roadshow kept delaying this title for several reasons, but one in particular was extras.  Though the original release of this would have had the usual Roadshow fair, we've now been treated some real goodies.
Along with the biographies (with very easy to read text) and a very nice looking trailer presented in the 16:9 format with a dolby 5.1 & 2.0 track is,
2 featurettes, one titled The Future of Space Travel, the other Film Special Effects. 
The former runs about 16 minutes whereas EFX runs for 6 minutes, And BOTH featurettes have Chapters!!!!!.  (a very welcome addition to any featurettes if you ask me). 
Also included is quite a few Deleted scenes from the so called "Director's Cut" , some of the scenes I am certain are not on the region 1 DVD, but with ITs hidden features they could be there lurking somewhere. 
Anyhoo, not only do we get a great and informative commentary track from director Stephen Hopkins and writer Akiva Goldsman (which incidentally has been Two separate recordings spliced together to form 1 comm track) BUT there is also a second commentary track with the special effects people.  This commentary is a combination of several recording put together.  While it is informative, and perhaps a touch too technical at times, it's really missing the fun of a commentary with a whole group of people in the one room.  it's really the lack of interaction between the people involved. But it's still a good listen. 
But wait there's more, you also get the LIS music Video, and ALL the menus have a dolby 5.1 soundtrack (which is the same as used on the Region 1 version, and there's also an animated background for the scene selections)...Between each menu there is a animated transition that at first reminded me of a worm...but I quickly realised it was suppose to be the same "clampy" thing that locks the Robinson's into their pods before they are frozen (nice)

Overall Roadshow have come up with a DVD version of Lost In Space that beats the region 1 version in the picture and sound department and comes damn close to it with extras (seeing as they are essentially the same)... A very good effort overall, pity about the naff story :-(

Review Equipment
TV: Pioneer SD-T50W1 (16:9 RPTV)
DVD: Pioneer DV717  (using RGB outputs)
Receiver: Marantz SR870 & Sony SDP-EP9ES
Speakers:-
     Fronts: B&W 602
     Centre: B&W CDMC-SE
     Rears: Jamo Magic 14
     Subby: M&K V125 

- reviewed 19th October 1999