SD Comic-Con ’09: Quantum Quest: A Cassini Space Odyssey (2010)

You know, when I hear that a movie is coming out and it’s supposed to be very educational and inspiring, I usually say, “Screw that.” Really, that’s what I was saying to the new animated film Quantum Quest: A Cassini Space Odyssey. However, after sitting through the panel for that movie at SDCC, I will keep from making such rash judgments…for now.

Dr. Harry Kloor wrote and directed Quantum Quest. Now I don’t know him personally, but he seems like the craziest SOB on earth, because he is the only person to complete two different doctorate programs simultaneously. (That means at the same time.) And it wasn’t in something like scrap booking and basket weaving. His degrees are in Chemistry and Physics. On a side note, I think the moderator wanted to be Mrs. Dr. Kloor. She was sending some major vibes when she was explaining this. Joining Kloor on the panel, among others, were Doug Jones and Robert Picardo.

Kloor described Quantum Quest as being a movie that will promote science, education, and inspiration. It will be a 3D CGI film that will also include some real space footage. One of the reasons Kloor said he wanted it to be educational was because the US and other countries have such low marks in the math and science area. And to help drive that point home, Doug Jones joined in with this story: He said Kloor was really good about explaining everything that was happening in the movie to the actors. He would explain what photons are and their purpose. Then, when he was done, Jones replied with, “So what are my lines?” He said science wasn’t his strong point. That got a laugh out of everyone.

The plot takes you into space to learn about photons, protons, electrons, the moons of Saturn, and quarks- Wait! Don’t stop reading. I know that sounds like a lot of boring stuff but it is supposed to be presented in a fun and easy to learn manner. I hope it’s one of those movies where you’re learning without realizing it. It might appeal to kids more that way. Anyway, everyone on the panel and people they had clips from were super excited about this film, but of course they would be. It’s their movie. No one wants to watch a movie where the people who made it are like, “This movie’s okay. I’ve done better.”

The cast of Quantum Quest is amazing. It includes Chris Pine, Samuel L. Jackson, Hayden Christensen, Amanda Peet, Robert Picardo, Jason Alexander, Tom Kenny, Sandra Oh, Brent Spiner, James Earl Jones, William Shatner, Mark Hamill, Doug Jones, Abigail Breslin, Gary Graham, and Neil Armstrong. Yep, it has two Darth Vaders, two Captain Kirks, and the first guy to walk on the moon. What more could you ask for?

Since Chris Pine wasn’t physically on the panel, he called in just so Kloor could hold the phone up to the microphone and so we could barely hear him. The girls still went wild though making it impossible to hear him, but bless the man he tried. The one thing that really caught my interest about Quantum Quest is that Kloor said it was going to be a blood bath at the end of the movie. I guess I will have to wait until early 2010 to find out if that’s true or not.

This is the Action Flick Chick, and you’ve just been kicked in the ass!