I was 14 when this hit theaters in Louisville for two weeks. I saw it twice. I went on to major in physics and music, and wound up doing both acting and special effects design in local theater, and discovered the 29th known entrance to the longest cave in the world... The movie has been a guiding light for me for decades now. For me, the message of the film was that with friends and pure creativity, you can make magic happen, in art, science, exploration, anything you like. Thanks for your wonderful summation of the film.
My dad took me and my stepsister to this movie in 1984.. we were 7 /8 respectively. We had absolutley no idea what was going on.. but we had a good time. I'll always have a soft spot for it.
One of my all-time favorite films! Sadly, many people just didn't "get it", and it didn't help that there was almost zero promotion for it from the studio, when it was originally released: I actually hadn't heard of it until it was on cable, a few years after its release. I immediately bought a copy on VHS, and I was delighted to find it on DVD about 15 years ago, when it had a limited release, with deleted scenes, including the original opening featuring Jamie Lee Curtis as Buckaroo's mother. (which leads you into the story for the still un-shot sequel) As a bit of useless knowledge: this is the film that got Kevin Smith interested in making films, when he was a kid, hence his wanting to do something with the character, as he, too, feels that the sequel should be made.
Even if Buckaroo Banzai is a Mary Sue, for some reason he doesn't come off as one which is to say he isn't insufferable. He is undoubtedly the smartest guy in the room, but he seems at ease about it, unpretentious, earnest and cool.
I commend you for not endlessly quoting the movie, as the temptation is certainly there. “Electro-nuclear carburetion seems fine” has tickled me from day one. In addition to attempting to make smart people cool I think there are two other reasons that Banzai is on paper a Mary Sue but doesn’t come off like one: 1. The use of a version of “yes and” to absurd effect. It’s like a gag that has to be repeated just one more time. 2. The movie starts in (wacky) medias res and immediately and continuously throws a lot at you that you are forced to accept without a moment to explain or ponder. When some new aspect of his character is added you just accept it out of habit, as we’ve accepted everything else the movie has fed to us at every step of the way. All this is reflected in… 3. The matter-of-factness about it all. Due to Weller and the direction there is no indication that any of this is out of the ordinary.
I'm slowly (been pretty busy so, very slowly) wending my way through this playlist, with occasional strays onto your Miami Vice series. I wish I had found your channel sooner, so that I could have experienced it as it was happening. I look forward to you someday coming up with another series of intriguing and entertaining dissections of whichever time period/media source you decide to interpret next.
A+ for the synopsis. Mind you im not saying that the story makes more sense. I referred to it back then as inspired chaos. My friend was an unconditionnal fan of it. I was more a Remo Williams guy myself. Lively debates i fondly remember.
Peter Weller holds a bona fide PhD in Italian renaissance art history. A real PhD, not an honorary one. One of the few celebrities to actually hold a real Doctorate.
As was the case for a lot of US sci-fi I came to BB late, but I was immediately won over by how unapologetically it plunged viewers into its universe. And give Peter Weller credit -- he actually made the Coolest Guy in The Room ... well, cool. Thanks as always, Morgan!
Buckaroo Banzai is not a Mary Sue, because 1) a Mary Sue is someone that is inserted into a universe by someone that did not create that universe, whereas Buckaroo is a product of the strange universe he inhabits, but beyond that, 2) Mary Sues do everything themselves, whereas Buckaroo surrounds himself with people that are constantly helping him, for instance, it's New Jersey that figures out the origins of the John invasion, and 3) Mary Sues never need rescuing, whereas Buckaroo has an even wider network of Blue Blaze Irregulars that are on constant alert to help him out, like in the case where he is requed by Scouter in the helocopter. Additionally, Mary Sue never struggle with anything beyong being annyoyed by the incovenences of frame and perfection and/or the incompetence of everyone around them, whereas Buckaroo was obviously messed up by the death of his wife. Don't confuse a character that is brilliant, multifaceted, an exceptional for one that is a self-insert for a pathetic writer trying to make up for their copious inadequacies.
Bad, bad take on calling BB a "Mary Sue". He is simply a classic Hero. They made it comical and zany as each of his talents is revealed. When he gets up on stage and sings (and the posse have a tour bus) I was laughing and enjoying story. A Mary Sue makes you roll your eyes. It is context and subjective, ok, but BB did it perfectly.
Thanks to Buckaroo Banzai, DOKTOR G'HUL has discovered your channel. Have no worries. I am not in league with Hanoi Xan or his detestable World Crime League. I find him sad and pitiable . However, be reassured, you have a new subscriber; your speaking style, knowledge of geek culture, and general air of cool have won me over. DOKTOR G'HUL APPROVES.
this movie is absolutely crazy, but i loved it! It has a weird pull to it, it's their world, they are the top dogs and they have decided to let you see a glimpse into their cool environment. I remember watching this movie on my Betamax that my parents bought me and my brother for christmas. What is real Ironic is that we also use to watch the Duran Duran video tape (the one with hungry like the wolf and planet earth.. Nightboat use to just freak me out!!) on that beta machine and your reviewing Duran Duran next! Your pretty cool morgan.
Immensely enjoyable! Thank you for having this one on the list-- I feel like I would've missed it otherwise. (I think the name always made me assume it was going to be super racist? I'm glad I was largely wrong about that.) Supremely silly and utterly delightful. Part of me wishes there was a real sequel, but there's also something very charming about a totally one-off film shilling its non-existant followup in the credits.
I was 14 when this hit theaters in Louisville for two weeks. I saw it twice. I went on to major in physics and music, and wound up doing both acting and special effects design in local theater, and discovered the 29th known entrance to the longest cave in the world... The movie has been a guiding light for me for decades now. For me, the message of the film was that with friends and pure creativity, you can make magic happen, in art, science, exploration, anything you like.
Thanks for your wonderful summation of the film.
My dad took me and my stepsister to this movie in 1984.. we were 7 /8 respectively. We had absolutley no idea what was going on.. but we had a good time. I'll always have a soft spot for it.
One of my all-time favorite films!
Sadly, many people just didn't "get it", and it didn't help that there was almost zero promotion for it from the studio, when it was originally released: I actually hadn't heard of it until it was on cable, a few years after its release. I immediately bought a copy on VHS, and I was delighted to find it on DVD about 15 years ago, when it had a limited release, with deleted scenes, including the original opening featuring Jamie Lee Curtis as Buckaroo's mother. (which leads you into the story for the still un-shot sequel)
As a bit of useless knowledge: this is the film that got Kevin Smith interested in making films, when he was a kid, hence his wanting to do something with the character, as he, too, feels that the sequel should be made.
I had a lot of fun watching this movie :)
I think it's fitting that Peter Weller was chosen to be Buckaroo Banzai. Aside from acting, he taught Ancient History courses at Syracuse University.
What a cast! All were perfect!!
Thank you thank you thank you. Love this film and most of the off beat 80's films.
Even if Buckaroo Banzai is a Mary Sue, for some reason he doesn't come off as one which is to say he isn't insufferable. He is undoubtedly the smartest guy in the room, but he seems at ease about it, unpretentious, earnest and cool.
I commend you for not endlessly quoting the movie, as the temptation is certainly there. “Electro-nuclear carburetion seems fine” has tickled me from day one.
In addition to attempting to make smart people cool I think there are two other reasons that Banzai is on paper a Mary Sue but doesn’t come off like one:
1. The use of a version of “yes and” to absurd effect. It’s like a gag that has to be repeated just one more time.
2. The movie starts in (wacky) medias res and immediately and continuously throws a lot at you that you are forced to accept without a moment to explain or ponder. When some new aspect of his character is added you just accept it out of habit, as we’ve accepted everything else the movie has fed to us at every step of the way. All this is reflected in…
3. The matter-of-factness about it all. Due to Weller and the direction there is no indication that any of this is out of the ordinary.
Love The Adventures across the Eighth Dimension a cross of TimeRider, Battle Beyond the Stars, and Heavy Metal
I'm slowly (been pretty busy so, very slowly) wending my way through this playlist, with occasional strays onto your Miami Vice series. I wish I had found your channel sooner, so that I could have experienced it as it was happening. I look forward to you someday coming up with another series of intriguing and entertaining dissections of whichever time period/media source you decide to interpret next.
A+ for the synopsis. Mind you im not saying that the story makes more sense. I referred to it back then as inspired chaos. My friend was an unconditionnal fan of it. I was more a Remo Williams guy myself. Lively debates i fondly remember.
Peter Weller holds a bona fide PhD in Italian renaissance art history. A real PhD, not an honorary one. One of the few celebrities to actually hold a real Doctorate.
Wow somehow you are able to talk about this movie in a serious tone, that's pretty impressive
Gonzo - perfect!
As was the case for a lot of US sci-fi I came to BB late, but I was immediately won over by how unapologetically it plunged viewers into its universe. And give Peter Weller credit -- he actually made the Coolest Guy in The Room ... well, cool. Thanks as always, Morgan!
Jonathan Banks also of a little movie called Beverly Hills Cop.
The best dumb and second rate sci-fi movie I have ever seen.
Did Jeff goldblum give a major movie role to be in Buckaroo Banzai?? Can someone tell me what the movie was he passed up.
The original Ghost Busters... They wanted him to be Igon...
(Glad he didn't, Harold Ramis nailed it...) ;)
6:36 Perfect Tommy, not Perfect John (an understandable mistake since half the characters were named John)
This a brilliant movie that either you get what they were going for or you don't. There doesn't seem to be any kind of middle ground to it.
Buckaroo Banzai is not a Mary Sue, because 1) a Mary Sue is someone that is inserted into a universe by someone that did not create that universe, whereas Buckaroo is a product of the strange universe he inhabits, but beyond that, 2) Mary Sues do everything themselves, whereas Buckaroo surrounds himself with people that are constantly helping him, for instance, it's New Jersey that figures out the origins of the John invasion, and 3) Mary Sues never need rescuing, whereas Buckaroo has an even wider network of Blue Blaze Irregulars that are on constant alert to help him out, like in the case where he is requed by Scouter in the helocopter. Additionally, Mary Sue never struggle with anything beyong being annyoyed by the incovenences of frame and perfection and/or the incompetence of everyone around them, whereas Buckaroo was obviously messed up by the death of his wife. Don't confuse a character that is brilliant, multifaceted, an exceptional for one that is a self-insert for a pathetic writer trying to make up for their copious inadequacies.
Bad, bad take on calling BB a "Mary Sue". He is simply a classic Hero. They made it comical and zany as each of his talents is revealed. When he gets up on stage and sings (and the posse have a tour bus) I was laughing and enjoying story. A Mary Sue makes you roll your eyes. It is context and subjective, ok, but BB did it perfectly.
Six String Samurai!
Thanks to Buckaroo Banzai, DOKTOR G'HUL has discovered your channel. Have no worries. I am not in league with Hanoi Xan or his detestable World Crime League. I find him sad and pitiable . However, be reassured, you have a new subscriber; your speaking style, knowledge of geek culture, and general air of cool have won me over. DOKTOR G'HUL APPROVES.
this movie is absolutely crazy, but i loved it! It has a weird pull to it, it's their world, they are the top dogs and they have decided to let you see a glimpse into their cool environment. I remember watching this movie on my Betamax that my parents bought me and my brother for christmas. What is real Ironic is that we also use to watch the Duran Duran video tape (the one with hungry like the wolf and planet earth.. Nightboat use to just freak me out!!) on that beta machine and your reviewing Duran Duran next! Your pretty cool morgan.
Nice breakdown. Glad I stumbled onto your channel!
Never heard of this flick....
I loved it.
Yes! Some things I didn't know... and it didn't even hurt that you skipped the Heavenly Kid's other "known for" roles. Keep up the good work!
I like this channel
John Ya Ya. Lol Thanks Morgan.
Another great review Morgan!
One recommendation, I’d love to see you review Ferris Bueller’s Day Off at some point!
I was u see the impression a “Mary Sue” describes a character introduced to an existing property and too good to be true
❤
Immensely enjoyable! Thank you for having this one on the list-- I feel like I would've missed it otherwise. (I think the name always made me assume it was going to be super racist? I'm glad I was largely wrong about that.) Supremely silly and utterly delightful. Part of me wishes there was a real sequel, but there's also something very charming about a totally one-off film shilling its non-existant followup in the credits.