Defending Earth, interstellar adventures & other pyrotechnics
Star Wars Trilogy D: George Lucas, et al (1977-83) avg 125m
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Blockbuster science fantasies that paved the way for others that followed. The now-familiar story traces Luke Skywalker's battle with an evil emperor and his Dark Lord sidekick. The standard good vs evil plot-lines involve a multitude of family skeletons in the closet. The effect of Lucas' concept of 'the Force' runs deep. Seminal.
Universally lambasted by critics on release, an eclectic rock soundtrack by Queen and some of the hammiest comic-book kitsch seen in years ensured this movie would not go quietly. Ming the Merciless (Max von Sydow) plans to annihilate Earth and it falls to not-too-bright but hunky quarterback Flash Gordon to save the day. Fantastically great fun.
Dune D: David Lynch (1984) 137m
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Deadpanned by critics on release, the theatrical version of Frank Herbert's famous novel is proving surprisingly durable with fans. A political power struggle on the planet Arrakis sees the hero lead desert dwellers and sandworms into battle against oppressive rulers. A good cast and visually impressive - it is well worth another look.
A human and a reptilian Drac (Lou Gossett Jr) from opposing sides at war are forced to rely on each other for survival when stranded on a hostile planet. We soon learn that Dracs are being used as slave labour in human mining operations. The hermaphroditic Drac needs a godfather, resulting in a potent anti-discrimination scenario.
A rare sequel that manages to outdo the original, which is a fine film in its own right. Sigourney Weaver is again terrific as Ripley - the only one left alive after the original Alien movie (1979). A squadron of Marines heads off to the home planet of the nasty aliens, intent on wiping them out. Taut and terrifying - definitive space-horror.
Stargate D: Roland Emmerich (1994) 122m
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Competent film that spawned a long-running TV series. James Spader plays an ancient language expert who helps the military decipher the purpose of a recently-uncovered alien artifact. It turns out to be a gateway to all sorts of places that is somehow tied to the ancient Egyptian gods. Kurt Russell chips in with a solid performance.
Slam-bang sci-fi action flick featuring Oscar-winning special effects. The aliens are hovering above Earth set to invade. Things look pretty grim, but an absentminded scientist (Jeff Goldblum) eventually figures out a way to save the day. The US President finds he still has the right stuff and Will Smith looks to be born for the part.
Starship Troopers D: Paul Verhoeven (1997) 129m
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This loose adaptation of Heinlein's novel is about as right-wing as sci-fi films get. High school kids get "citizenship" and service to the state drummed into their heads. A group of young military cadets graduate and head off to fight a war against giant bugs. There's lots of blood, gore and dismemberment - and then the movie ends.