The premise of "Fantastic Voyage" seemed very unlikely in 1966, however in
2002 I'm not so sure.
The story concerns a top secret miniaturization program being developed by
the Americans and concurrently by "the other side". A scientist from the
other side has the secret of counteracting the situation where the
miniaturization effects wear off after one hour. Unfortunately, the
scientist receives a brain injury in an assassination attempt. This results
in General Carter (Edmond O'Brien), the commanding officer of the project
deciding to "send in" a team of experts miniaturized, to the injured man's
brain to repair the damage.
The team consists of Drs. Duval (Arthur Kennedy) and Michaels (Donald
Pleasance), Pilot Capt. Owens (William Redfield) and the romantic leads,
Grant (Stephen Boyd) and the ever lovely Raquel Welch as Duval's assistant.
Assisting O'Brien as a medical expert is Arthur O'Connell as Col. Reid. Of
course, as in most film's of this type there is the inevitable fifth
columnist aboard. The acting is good, particluarly the performances of
veterans Kennedy, Pleasance, O'Brien and O'Connell.
The real star of the "Fantastic Voyage" are its amazing special effects.
Filmed long before today's computerized digital effects, this film still
makes believable, the illusion of a team of people being injected into a
person's bloodstream. To fully appreciate the effects the viewer should see
it in its widescreen format.
Watch for James Brolin in a small role as one of the lab technicians. And
if you get bored, there's always (snort, pant, drool) Raquel in her form
fitting diving suit.