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From: moriarty@fluke.UUCP (Jeff Meyer)
Newsgroups: net.movies
Subject: THE LAST STARFIGHTER (Spoiler/non-spoiler sections)
Message-ID: <1105@vax2.fluke.UUCP>
Date: Sat, 14-Jul-84 02:26:12 EDT
Article-I.D.: vax2.1105
Posted: Sat Jul 14 02:26:12 1984
Date-Received: Tue, 10-Jul-84 01:14:47 EDT
Distribution: net
Organization: John Fluke Mfg. Co., Everett, WA
Lines: 70

Hmmm... one occasionally feels like playing the profit with a movie.  There
is no doubt in my mind that this will be on of the summers most popular
movies... right up there with GHOSTBUSTERS.  The question is: is this
another STAR WARS, at least in popularity?  Well, I saw it with a Saturday
night preview audience, so it's tough to say... everyone appluaded at the
end, but for all I know, they may do the same thing at the end of CANNONBALL
II...

Well, what did I think of it.  Standard space movie with excellent lines and
characters.  Another excellent balance between humor and adventure.  Some
excellent twists on the "Space fight to save the galaxy" bit, and most of
the spunk credit goes to the director, writer, and Lance Guest, who plays
Alex Rogan, the Last Starfighter, with such wit that it's really enjoyable.
There are some excellent performances put in by quite a few people in this
movie.  And, at several places in this movie.... "a presence I've not felt
for many years."  Specifically, I saw RETURN OF THE JEDI once because of
it's lackluster imitation of STAR WARS.  I saw THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK 3
times, because while it was no STAR WARS it didn't try to be... took up a
different bent altogether.  I saw STAR WARS 7 times... because I was 17 and
even stupider than I am now, I guess, but it had moments of pure abandon for
me.  THE LAST STARFIGHTER isn't that good, but it does capture a few of
those moments (thanks to Guest, Robert Preston (I would like this man in
anything!), and Dan O'Herlihy (sp?) as Rogan's co-pilot with scales).  A
definate $4.50 movie, as there are plenty of laughs to go with the action
(probably more).  You also get to see Fay Furillo deal with a space ship :-)

Oh, the special effects... well, you don't look up and say, "this is a
quantum leap from TRON!"  You look up and say, "Tron in space!  But it still
looks good -- different, but good".  Basically, the spaceships look good
until you get up close... then they assume the uniformity one comes to
expect from computer graphics.  Some are better than others, but there are
some things done that could NEVER have been done with blue-screen and motion
control.  It's easy to get used to...

SPOILERS FROM HERE IN.....




















This thing resemble Star Wars in more ways than just the good humor.  They
are definately looking for sequels.  I hope they decide against it... Maggie
& Alex in Space are just not gonna cut it.  Unless they decide to drop by to
pick up some more recruits (and bring Robert Preston with 'em).  Still, this
is a no-sequel pic... I hope others realize this.

		"... the all-weather breakfast cereal"

					Moriarty, aka Jeff Meyer
					John Fluke Mfg. Co., Inc.
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