when I was 11 and I was crazy for the movie. It was part of a "double feature" - remember those? I loved it so much I made my father sit through the other movie again so I could see Fantastic Voyage a second time.
I wonder how it has aged and if I should watch it again? I'm still a big sci fi fan.
When I found it cheap on DVD last year (double DVD with Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea) I bought it, if that gives you a hint -- I was nine when this movie came out and I remember it was the first movie (matinee) I got to see in a local theater without my mom. We sat too close to the screen and had a killer headache the next day! I did have an older brother and a younger brother brother with me! I know that sounds strange, but that was back in the days when you could send your kids to the movies without worrying that they could get kidnapped or assaulted or something.
I loved it then, and I still love it now. Granted, the FX is nothing like what they could do for a movie in almost 2007, but you have to take the FX for what was AVAILABLE. Back then they accomplished a LOT with lighting, and puppets and models and editing. I love a good sci Fi movie, but sometimes the FX takes over the story these days.
For my book, it holds up -- on a small screen, at least. I watch it at least once a year.