Whether one enjoys The Reluctant Astronaut will depend almost entirely on one's fondness for and appreciation of star Don Knotts. This is very clearly a vehicle, a low budget comedy on a then-topical subject (space travel); take away the star, and there's absolutely nothing there. In other words, don't come to Astronaut expecting a well-structured screenplay filled with witty dialogue and surprising turns of phrases, captivating plot twists and characters that engage due to the originality and imagination with which they are conceived and executed. Instead, be prepared for a steady barrage of gags, many of them sight-based and an alarming number of them based on the classic "fish out of water" premise. Some of the gags work very well, and Astronaut therefore has a fair share of laughs. It also includes a few moments involving the title character and his father that, while far from being great drama, are actually rather touching. Credit Knotts (along with "father" Arthur O'Connell) for playing those moments so well. Knotts certainly gives his all in the comedy moments as well, but there will be some viewers who simply don't take to his bug-eyed approach. For those in tune with the comedian, however, he's in very fine form, and gets solid support from O'Connell, Jesse White and Jeanette Nolan. Leslie Nielsen is fine if unremarkable, and much better than Joan Freeman, whose character comes off as less appealing than was intended.