William Hurt's acting was AWFUL!
Seriously, the guy was more robotic than the robot. I lol'd at "I love you wife". What a bland performance.
shareAnd that's why this movie sucked.
I am so disappointed... everything else was great
I didn't really appreciate Hurt's portrayal of John Robinson the first time I watched the movie. He seemed completely opposite to Guy Williams who was a very big, strong and heroic father figure. Hurt looked like a wimpy, granola-eating, hippie tree-hugger scientist trying to save humanity.
But after seeing it a few times more I noticed that Hurt was actually meant to grow into the role of the strong and heroic character. More than once you see him lifting up Major West to his feet (like on the original TV series). So he's actually bigger and stronger than you originally give him credit for being and if there were to be sequels, they had left room for him to become more like the old TV version of John Robinson in both a physical and commanding type of character.
You believe that his portrayal would have grown, had they produced the two sequels originally planned? I couldn't speak to that.
As for his performance is better appreciated with multiple viewings, I have seen this movie exactly three times: first, at the movie theatre, second when it was first released on DVD, and most recently a third viewing. I have found no improvement.
I've liked William Hurt since I first saw him back in the movie from 1980, Altered States and I've seen a few of his movies.
I think Hurt doesn't know who Robinson is.
And, if they were to make a sequel today, I'd enjoy it more without him. Oops, just got sucked down a black hole when his "safety" line broke.
Imagine, Jack Johnson and Lacey Chabert as the protagonists, looking up to Joey-- err, Major West, while Judy boils in the background. Meanwhile, mean old Doctor Smith is constantly coming on to Dear Lady Mrs Robinson... and here's to you, Mrs Robinson...
Only one thing would be lacking: Dick Tufeld.
I'd watch it.