Space Cadet is a spiritual successor to Legally Blonde

In 2001, Legally Blonde told a generation of girls that they could be unashamedly girly, unashamedly brave — and still be sharp, smart, and capable of getting into Harvard Law School, becoming a lawyer, and winning a landmark case. It’s a staple of girl-power movie lists, winning and memorable enough to spawn a sequel, a musical, and a upcoming spin-off series.

Prime Video’s Emma Roberts Vehicle Space Cadet takes a similar route with a radically different profession. This time, the protagonist is a big-hearted party girl from Florida who ends up in NASA’s astronaut candidate program. The parallels are intentional: writer-director Liz W. Garcia told us Legally Blonde was a great source of inspiration for her film.

That’s not bad: Space Cadet is a strong addition to the girl-power canon, full of glittery, sticker-covered notebooks and tie-dye T-shirts. Garcia’s film is the perfect follow-up, adding just enough to the formula to make it stand out, but retaining the same heart and message that resonated with audiences 23 years ago.

(Editorial note: This review contains some minor spoilers for the set-up Space Cadet.)

Emma Roberts (American horror story) plays Tiffany “Rex” Simpson, a bartender whose childhood dream of becoming an astronaut is shattered when her mother is diagnosed with a terminal illness. Rex decides to turn down a full scholarship to college so she can focus on supporting her parents. After a high school reunion where she is reunited with a friendly former academic rival who has found success in space tourism, she decides to pursue her dreams, hoping that NASA’s admissions committee will see her potential. Her best friend, Nadine (Poppy Liu), takes matters into her own hands and slightly embellishes Rex’s resume. Rex is accepted into the program, but initially fails to realize that Nadine has falsified her qualifications. Although she is burned by Nadine’s deception, Rex is determined to see the stars, so she decides to see the facade through to the end.

The comparisons between Rex and Elle Woods (Reese Witherspoon) in Legally Blonde are pretty clear. Like Elle before her, Rex is clearly capable. She’s smart and a quick learner, she knows her way around applied physics and engineering, and she’s a fantastic team player. But what sets Rex apart are her motivations, and the whole reason she’s out of place here: she’s been screwed over by life, and this is her chance to go to space. Her motivation doesn’t come from trying to get back at a guy who dumped her for being too girly and fun. (No offense to Elle! Regret is a great motivator.)

Image: Amazon Prime Video/Everett Collection

Rex’s motivations – and the fact that her resume is a lie – add a bit more raw texture and stakes to her journey. She’s a great character, and Roberts gives her a lot of heart. It’s absolutely wonderful to see her bounce around like a bright, sparkly rocket among the more serious, traditional astronaut candidates, especially as they start to warm up to her.

The program’s ruthless eliminations mean that some of Rex’s most interesting relationships don’t get much screen time — like her connection to secret romance novelist Violet (Kuhoo Verma), who offers to teach Rex about theoretical science in exchange for Rex’s help mastering the physical components of the workout. And her romance with handsome but tight-knit program coordinator Logan (The Umbrella AcademyTom Hopper… with glasses and cute sweaters

Logan is dreamy, and his crush on Rex is endearing. But when half his screen time consists of performing his duties and calling Rex’s professional references (all Nadine, with different phone numbers and increasingly elaborate theatrics), Space Cadet doesn’t really take the time to present their mutual romantic attraction as anything more than just a box on a list of clichés.

Image: Amazon Prime Video/Everett Collection

But that running gag with Nadine is hilarious, as are the scenes with Rex’s father, who is a ghost guide (Gossip Girl‘s Sam Robards), and the moments where her party-girl lifestyle comes into play and helps her with traditional astronaut training. Garcia does a great job of balancing the humor with the more grounded emotional stakes. Part of the reason Rex is so driven is because her mother fueled her love of science and space; she wants to make her mom proud. That relationship is woven throughout the film, and Rex never resents her mother or her situation — she just wishes it could be different and ultimately lets it fuel her.

Space Cadet is incredibly funny, but it’s also about someone pursuing a life she thought she missed out on, and discovering her own strengths when she feels like she’s not good enough. Legally Blonde Elle had found a passion for the law, even though those around her were surprised by her ambitions; in Space CadetRex grits her teeth and lets her unique background inspire her rather than hold her back. Like Rex’s moonlit beach parties, this movie is a good time – but Space Cadet is also inspiring enough to make viewers smile and look up at the metaphorical stars, so they can decide to do something they once held themselves back from.

Space Cadet is now available to stream on Prime Video.