Trailer

D.A.R.Y.L. (1985)

PG   |    |  Family, Sci-Fi

D.A.R.Y.L. (1985) Poster

A seemingly normal young boy turns out to be a top secret, military-created robot with superhuman abilities.

6.3/10
12,112
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Critic Reviews

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  • Steve Ryan in D.A.R.Y.L. (1985)
  • Michael McKean and Barret Oliver in D.A.R.Y.L. (1985)
  • Kathryn Walker in D.A.R.Y.L. (1985)
  • Barret Oliver in D.A.R.Y.L. (1985)
  • Barret Oliver in D.A.R.Y.L. (1985)
  • Amy Linker in D.A.R.Y.L. (1985)

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Awards

1 win & 2 nominations.

Reviews & Commentary

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User Reviews
24 September 2017 | sol-
7
| Feeling Different
Found wandering in the wilderness and suffering amnesia, a preteen boy comes to suspect that he is very different to other children his age in this intriguing thriller with a science fiction twist. While the title, promotional artwork and plot summaries (include on the DVD back cover!) spell out the fact that him feeling different is due to being a robot, the filmmakers keep this plot detail deliciously vague during the first half, which in turn becomes an involving tale of an abnormal young person trying to fit in. As others have pointed out, with his quick-learning abilities and lack of social skills, it is easy to see Daryl as metaphorical for someone on the Autism Spectrum and the overall movie has some positive messages as such in terms of acceptance for all. The second half of the film, which is more thrills than mystery-based, is not quite as strong as the first half, but lots of impressive (if improbable) stunts keep things chugging along. The ending certainly feels a little rushed and Marvin Hamlisch's sentimental music score does not always work. In general though, this is an engaging tale along the lines of 'Pinocchio' and 'A.I.' with the idea that all kids are kids even if their minds work differently.

Critic Reviews

Did You Know?

Trivia

The picture's closing credits stated that the producers wished to thank: "The citizens and officials of the City of Orange County, Florida; Board of County Commissioners of Orange County, Florida; The communities of Dillsboro and Drevard, North Carolina; Greater Orlando Aviation Authority; Simuflite, a subsidiary of The Singer Company; and Golfstream III, Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation."

Quotes

Andy Richardson: Dr. What is this?
Dr. Jeffery Stewart: Daryl is not... well he never was completely human.
Andy Richardson: What?
Dr. Jeffery Stewart: Data Analyzing Robot Youth Lifeform. Daryl is an experiment in artificial intelligence. All I can say is he was never meant to leave here and he was certainly not to be with ...

Goofs

The Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird has no sealants for the fuel tanks. The friction generated by high speeds heats up the skin, making it expand significantly. Expansion gaps are needed to prevent the skin from buckling or breaking due to the stress, like the tar strips in concrete roadways that allow the slabs to expand without damage. Therefore, after several supersonic sprints to heat the skin enough to fill the gaps, the plane takes off on nearly empty tanks, and refuels five minutes into flight. Otherwise, it will run out of fuel.

Soundtracks

Isn't It Romantic
by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart

Storyline

Plot Summary

Genres

Family | Sci-Fi

Details

Release Date:

14 June 1985

Language

English

Country of Origin

UK, USA

Filming Locations

4400 N Alafaya Trail, Orlando, Florida, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$2,649,832 16 June 1985

Gross USA:

$7,840,873

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$7,840,873

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