Blast from the Past (1999)

59% of critics liked it
(37 reviews)
54% of users liked it
(198,205 ratings)

In 1962, Calvin Webber (Christopher Walken) was a brilliant but somewhat paranoid scientist living with his Donna Reed-esque wife, Helen (Sissy Spacek), in Los Angeles. In the midst of the Cuban Missile Crisis, a plane crashed into the Webber's yard. Mistaking the blast for "the big one," the… More In 1962, Calvin Webber (Christopher Walken) was a brilliant but somewhat paranoid scientist living with his Donna Reed-esque wife, Helen (Sissy Spacek), in Los Angeles. In the midst of the Cuban Missile Crisis, a plane crashed into the Webber's yard. Mistaking the blast for "the big one," the Webbers moved into their elaborate bomb shelter to wait out the half-life of radioactive fallout. In the shelter, now a sort of time capsule, Calvin and Helen conceived and raised their son Adam (played as an adult by Brendan Fraser). For 35 years, Adam was raised on Jackie Gleason, Perry Como, and stories about life on the surface. Calvin taught his son about science, baseball, and communists while Mom taught Adam about dancing, good manners, and charming young ladies. Just in time, too, as Adam is sent to the surface to gather supplies and find a wife, preferably a nice, non-mutant girl from Pasadena with which to repopulate the world. Once this "fish out of water" story is set up, the fish, Adam, is set adrift in a sea of supermarkets and adult bookstores, but is soon caught by Eve Rustikov (Alicia Silverstone). Completely lost above ground, Adam enlists Eve's help to navigate his new world and find the supplies on his list. The literally sheltered Adam falls for this bitter, cynical, street-smart woman who grew up in a bleak Los Angeles with little use for love. Living with her gay roommate, Troy (Dave Foley), Eve has had her hopes chipped away by a long line of dead-end jobs and loser boyfriends. When the throwback Adam enters her life with his sunny disposition, seersucker jacket, and joy at seeing the sky, she can't help but fall in love. ~ Ron Wells, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 52 min.
Directed By: Hugh Wilson
Written By: Bill Kelly, Hugh Wilson
Genres: Comedy, Romance

In Theaters: Feb 12, 1999 Wide
On DVD: Dec 26, 2001
Studio: New Line Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Nell Minow, Common Sense Media
Fish-out-of-water comedy has some salty language.
Philip Martin, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
...entertains without pretensions.
Karina Montgomery, Cinerina
Blast from the Past is actually better executed than it was written.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Michael E

t has some things i like about it like the beginning 35 minutes with the whole, them being in a bomb shelter for 35 years, and i liked some of the jokes after the 35 minutes but overall it was just an average comedy film.
Chris W

The central premise is fun and kind of clever, even if the film isn't completely a success. The script is okay, but could have been better, I did enjoy this movie though, and I like the performances. I think those are probably the best part. The concept is so goofy, but the… More
The central premise is fun and kind of clever, even if the film isn't completely a success. The script is okay, but could have been better, I did enjoy this movie though, and I like the performances. I think those are probably the best part. The concept is so goofy, but the cast do a pretty good job of trying to sell things, especially Walken, Spacek, and Fraser. This isn't an amazing movie, but it's fun for a lazy day.
Dead A

The story was peculiar. But not that bad I guess. I wasn't bored. That could be a plus point.
Wahida K

This was honestly a cute piece of Movie. My fav bit was when he checks in the Hotel room. A funny Scene.
Conner R

It was an interesting concept and a fun movie. Brenden Frasier was good for his role and there were a lot of great moments from Christopher Walken. The story had a unique feel to it and I appreciate the change of pace in the average comedy, but it was still too shy to really make a… More
It was an interesting concept and a fun movie. Brenden Frasier was good for his role and there were a lot of great moments from Christopher Walken. The story had a unique feel to it and I appreciate the change of pace in the average comedy, but it was still too shy to really make a lasting effect.
Anthony L

Silly film. Brendan Fraser could have done better for himself, I liked Christopher Walken in it though! I could have sworn Drew Barrymore was in it though, I guess it goes to show how much these films merge into one!
Alice S

A silly and sweet story with the requisite culture shock humor. I walk a thin line with Alicia Silverstone - sometimes she works, sometimes she doesn't, especially when she does that shrill voice that should only come out of Cher Horowitz's mouth.
Coxxie M

the only funny thing is Dave Foley's ultra-gayyyyyy character
Red L

Pretty cute story. Scientist creates a fall-out shelter (not a bomb shelter) during the cold war and they land up locking themselves down there for 35 years to escape the radiation. When the doors open, they find a different world.
Luke B

Me be in silly giggle mood when watching this so I smile lotsssssssss. Fraser is awesome and it isn't hard to believe that he's from the 60's. His innocence carries the majority of the film and it is genuinely moving when he first encounters the sea and sky. The general… More
Me be in silly giggle mood when watching this so I smile lotsssssssss. Fraser is awesome and it isn't hard to believe that he's from the 60's. His innocence carries the majority of the film and it is genuinely moving when he first encounters the sea and sky. The general premise is sweet enough for a romantic comedy and has enough original moments to keep it afloat. The film also avoids making the same tired jokes found in many fish out of water comedies. Silverstone isn't the best love interest in the world, but great support from Foley and a smaller part by Nathan Fillion make up for it. Very funny, very sweet, very good.
Lenny M

The casting was poor except for Christopher Walken, who carries the film. Good concept.
danny d

actually good when i didnt think it would be
Rachel F

I really love this movie. It's probably one of my favorites. Really funny and it has a great ending.
Curtis L

Oh my stars, a negro!
xGary X

Very likeable fish out of water comedy as Brendan Fraser's 50s throwback experiences the highs and lows of modern day LA. A great cast (Christopher Walken displays a great comic touch as his paranoid father) shore up a flimsy script built on a strong premise and go through the… More
Very likeable fish out of water comedy as Brendan Fraser's 50s throwback experiences the highs and lows of modern day LA. A great cast (Christopher Walken displays a great comic touch as his paranoid father) shore up a flimsy script built on a strong premise and go through the inevitable misunderstandings of the word "gay".
Jason S

Funny little movie.
Dean M

Absolutely funny and delightful of being difference between 1960s and 1990s taste of clothes, music, etc.. That's decades - apart!
Leigh R

So cute and sweet.
Stuart B

passes the time with a smile
Kalel J

Chemistry between Fraser and Silverstone reigns supreme in this film of a man who is raised with the ideals of a past society but is thrust into a more modern and bitter community with the opposites of what he considers normal. The plot for this may seem stupid on paper but when… More
Chemistry between Fraser and Silverstone reigns supreme in this film of a man who is raised with the ideals of a past society but is thrust into a more modern and bitter community with the opposites of what he considers normal. The plot for this may seem stupid on paper but when realised in film format it is genius and Christopher Walken does a fantastic job as the man who made it happen on screen. The audiences main attraction to the film comes in it's form of the naivety of Fraser's character who brings much humour to the story after unfolding events that signify his clear connection to the past and with the timely meeting of Eve (Silverstone) we are introduced to the romantic nature of the film and the old customs that have been planted in Adam. This enjoyable and while it never really hits the mark it makes for good late night viewing.