Blast from the Past is one of those films that lend weight to the argument that 1999 was the best year in film. It’s simply a great movie. It also helps explain the endearing and enduring popularity of Brendan Fraser. The role of Adam is played to perfection. Essentially he’s an evolved version of California Man, but instead of being conditioned by a frozen glacier, this time his conditioning is his mad but genius father and sweet but not always sober mum.
The premise is basic but brilliant: during the Cold War, a paranoid genius with a magnificent fallout shelter (there’s a difference between that and a bomb shelter, Adam will tell you all about it; the trick has something to do with the air vents) locks his family away in the belief that nuclear war has begun. The scientist and his wife end up raising their son entirely underground for 35 years. The result? A kind, intelligent, utterly sincere man from the 1960s let loose on the streets of 1990s Los Angeles.
It’s a fantastic setup, and Fraser leads the entire production with incredible and believable vigour. His physicality, timing, and guileless charm make Adam someone you can’t help but root for. But every actor and crew member plays their part perfectly. Alicia Silverstone brings a grounded warmth to Eve, cynical, tough, and completely disarmed by Adam’s earnestness. The chemistry between them is undeniable, and the supporting cast (including Sissy Spacek and Christopher Walken as Adam’s parents) add delightful quirks and humour that elevate every scene.
What makes Blast from the Past special is its heart. It could have leaned heavily into slapstick or parody, and there are plenty of laughs, but instead, it remains sincere. It doesn’t mock Adam for his outdated values; it lets them shine. In fact, it gently critiques the modern world through his eyes: our rush, our rudeness, our distrust. Adam is a reminder that decency, kindness, and genuine curiosity about others aren’t old-fashioned. In fact, they’re timeless.
This is a film about second chances, about stepping into the unknown, and about finding connection in a world that often feels disconnected. It’s funny, smart, and unexpectedly moving.
And yes, Brendan Fraser absolutely deserves the cult status he continues to hold. This movie is proof of that.If you haven’t seen it (or haven’t seen it in a while), do yourself a favour. Blast from the Past is more than a feel-good film, it’s a reminder of how good people can be, even when they come from a world entirely of their own.
