Innerspace - S16 E130

For the eighth and final episode of our Size Doesn’t Matter season, Dan and Sarah look at director Joe Dante’s 1987 sci-fi comedy, Innerspace. Anchored in the wild experimentation of 1980s cinema, the movie tackles an absurdist concept with Dennis Quaid playing an arrogant pilot who is miniaturized and accidentally injected into a hypochondriac played by Martin Short.

We dig into why this blend of comedy sci-fi and body horror flopped at the box-office back in 1987 despite it picking up an Oscar for its practical effects. From Meg Ryan’s rom-com warmth to Robert Picardo’s brilliant shape-shifting performance, it’s a standout among 80s movies with a crazy premise. We chat about how films about small things used to build giant props and double-length cars instead of relying on CGI, marvel at Martin Short movies at their slapstick peak, and question whether Dennis Quaid films ever feature a truly likable protagonist.

What to expect from this episode:

We explore why Martin Short’s masterclass in physical comedy makes him Dan’s all-time favourite Canadian.

Sarah and Dan praise Robert Picardo’s incredible performance as The Cowboy and his brilliant face-shifting Martin Short impression.

We debate whether Dennis Quaid’s arrogant pilot Tuck Pendleton is supposed to be likeable or just a total jerk.

Appreciation for the Oscar-winning practical special effects, double-length car props, and forced perspective techniques that beat out Predator.

We examine the film as “Cronenberg for kids” with its surprising amount of body horror, including a henchman dissolved by stomach acid.

Dan provides an unnecessarily thorough breakdown of how miniaturized waste disposal and digestion would logically work inside the human body.

We spot the classic Joe Dante hallmarks, including his personal cameo, Dick Miller as a taxi driver, and SCTV alumni appearances.

Reflection on how 1980s studio cinema embraced wild, original concepts that modern blockbusters just can’t match.

We’ll be back on October 19th for Season 17