A good solid sci-fi / action cop / buddy movie 80 s style. Rather underrated I think. Terence Stamp as usual was very good....I also enjoyed the TV show & TV movies in the 90s. Nice info. on the "Light Device"...it has been in a lot of movies over the decades (below radar).
By all accounts this movie should’ve been a hit. I’ve always had a soft spot for this movie. But like with the movie Falling Down, the older I’ve got the more I glean from this outstanding movie.
I enjoyed this movie and was a fan of the TV series. One writer pointed out the TV show had a small but loyal fan base. Detective Francisco singing "George Francisco!" was a good one. There is also what Sikes means in the Alien language. A take on the buddy movies is at least one of the characters doesn't like the other's kind, often as in Alien Nation, for cause. Not stricly a cop buddy movie, but there is "Who Framed Roger Rabbit."
A line I remember from the movie involved a joke about a pen and a thermometer. The punch line was. "...now where is the pen?" " In the other man's rectum."
Movie review suggestion: the made-for-PBS "The Lathe of Heaven" (1980), which was remarkable despite its zero budget. Helps that they were relatively faithful to the original novel by LeGuin (which isn't true for something abominable like Sci-Fi's "Legend of Earthsea").
I agree on doing a review of this. The only problems with it is that is really is a child of its time (children of the 60s generation) and it can seem to be slow if you are expecting a lot of action. The film quality looks like 70s era BBC productions in some ways. But it is good. One favorite thing was the visualization of the dreams in the plot.
I was happy when I found the entire movie uploaded to YT (by someone 11 years ago), but I can understand you wanting to watch a copy that is better than sub-VHS quality. On Wikipedia, I can read that there was a re-releason on DVD in 2000 (after significant work over rights issues), but I can't find that version either. And I suspect that A&E (makers of the 2002 version) might interfere with someone else making another release of the PBS version.
I'm fond of this one, like I am of any film where people find their shared humanity. The actor who played G'Kar on Babylon 5 is in the series, and I was kind of excited to see his real face, but he played a Newcomer...
I've joked for years that the first sci-fi "buddy cop" movie was The Day the Earth Stood Still. This film had likeable characters but its plot was fairly banal and certainly well worn. I wish they had a dilemma that was a little more "science fictiony" rather than the 80th version of two cops teaming up to bust a drug ring. And what does Jason David have to do to get a shout out around here...?
Another interesting TV program that I found worthy of watching that turned belly up. I just know how to pick them and other viewers just didn't get it. Just like STAR TREK in 1966. And look what has happed to it. I must have saw something there.
Laserblast was edited down for its appearance on Mystery Science Theater 3000 in 1996. Among the scenes cut was a sequence where party guests are questioned at the police station about Chuck's car exploding, more conversations between Billy and Cathy, and more footage of Billy in alien monster mode destroying downtown - along with the sheriffs car being flipped. Laserblast a terrible but watchable movie 🎉
Yes, watch the show and share your thoughts, also, "I brought donuts" You brought what? Donuts. I was going to get some of those French things Croissants Boom, but you say it wrong, you sounds stupid. So I brought donuts. So how was she? Friendly. I like her. I can now see why you have an ex-wife At least I don't have an ex partner!
This Baby Boomer Sci Fi Geek remembers the TV Series more than the movie. Yes, the movie was kind of boring. But so was Buffy The Vampire Slayer movie. The Buffy TV series was so much better -- better casting and more time to string along a story line or four? I saw the movie on cable (back then, probably only HBO available) when the TV show was out in season 2 so it was interesting to see how much they "redo" a story when it moves to television. Best part of the TV series was when they drop aliens into sea water. Like acid to them!
Thank you for a grand review. Upon hearing of this film, we became extremely interested. I recall one could only learn about the production from magazines like Starlog and its ilk at the time. For the most part, we went into the cinema blind. A dozen friends and I could not wait. The plot set-up was intriguing and the cast were well known to us. Oh dear. This was such a huge dish of ointment. As soon as the credits started we left the cinema. The pub was open. We drowned our sorrows and rarely spoke of this average film again. The TV series was avoided. Never mind, maybe Hollywood is making great stuff these days... Nope. Worse.
This is not a bad film, not at all. But at the same time it is a kind of sad waste. They are intelligent beings, very alike us in this aspect. But about their CULTURE? Their clothing, their stories and customs? There is no intelligent life without culture and theirs would "contaminate" Earth people deeply concerning music, outfits and even modes of behaviour, exactly as in our way of living "contaminates" theirs. This simply does not happen as an obvious, inevitable phenomenon. As I've noted, not a bad film at all, but it could be better, more exciting, more thought-provoking, I guess.
The tv show took awhile but started getting good and with a good story line, but was then canceled.
A good solid sci-fi / action cop / buddy movie 80 s style. Rather underrated I think. Terence Stamp as usual was very good....I also enjoyed the TV show & TV movies in the 90s. Nice info. on the "Light Device"...it has been in a lot of movies over the decades (below radar).
By all accounts this movie should’ve been a hit. I’ve always had a soft spot for this movie. But like with the movie Falling Down, the older I’ve got the more I glean from this outstanding movie.
Fun movie - used to watch the TV show back in the day
How can you not like a show with a main character named Sam Francisco? I was seriously bummed when the show was canceled.
I enjoyed this movie and was a fan of the TV series. One writer pointed out the TV show had a small but loyal fan base. Detective Francisco singing "George Francisco!" was a good one. There is also what Sikes means in the Alien language. A take on the buddy movies is at least one of the characters doesn't like the other's kind, often as in Alien Nation, for cause. Not stricly a cop buddy movie, but there is "Who Framed Roger Rabbit."
It's amazing that they can make an awesome movie like Alien Nation with 16 million and utterly flop with 150 million movies.
A line I remember from the movie involved a joke about a pen and a thermometer. The punch line was. "...now where is the pen?" " In the other man's rectum."
Thanks again for the great review. I always enjoy the background you give before the review starts.
I appreciate that!
Movie review suggestion: the made-for-PBS "The Lathe of Heaven" (1980), which was remarkable despite its zero budget.
Helps that they were relatively faithful to the original novel by LeGuin (which isn't true for something abominable like Sci-Fi's "Legend of Earthsea").
I love that one! I have had a Devil of a time getting my hands on a physical copy though.
I agree on doing a review of this. The only problems with it is that is really is a child of its time (children of the 60s generation) and it can seem to be slow if you are expecting a lot of action. The film quality looks like 70s era BBC productions in some ways. But it is good. One favorite thing was the visualization of the dreams in the plot.
I was happy when I found the entire movie uploaded to YT (by someone 11 years ago), but I can understand you wanting to watch a copy that is better than sub-VHS quality.
On Wikipedia, I can read that there was a re-releason on DVD in 2000 (after significant work over rights issues), but I can't find that version either. And I suspect that A&E (makers of the 2002 version) might interfere with someone else making another release of the PBS version.
@@mmattson8947 Amazon has the DVD, but it is $47. There are other sellers of pre-owned (aka used) copies for less.
We can't stop here. This is Alien Nation.
Does 'Logan's Run' count??? That STARTS with Buddy Cops!
Hmmm… good point!
Loved the movie, the series, and the follow-up movies. I was so disappointed when the whole thing finally came to an end.
I'm fond of this one, like I am of any film where people find their shared humanity.
The actor who played G'Kar on Babylon 5 is in the series, and I was kind of excited to see his real face, but he played a Newcomer...
Being honest, I liked the TV series WAY more than the movie. Great Vid as always!
I loved this film - and the TV series.
I've joked for years that the first sci-fi "buddy cop" movie was The Day the Earth Stood Still.
This film had likeable characters but its plot was fairly banal and certainly well worn.
I wish they had a dilemma that was a little more "science fictiony" rather than the 80th version
of two cops teaming up to bust a drug ring.
And what does Jason David have to do to get a shout out around here...?
Another interesting TV program that I found worthy of watching that turned belly up. I just know how to pick them and other viewers just didn't get it. Just like STAR TREK in 1966. And look what has happed to it. I must have saw something there.
Terence Stamp refused to wear the elaborate make up and prosthetics for Harcourt's final transformation. Can't say I blame him.
You’re gonna do one of the best Kaiju films ever!!!
I’ve already commented on the last video my favorite buddy-coo movie; Dolph Lungren and Brian Benben in I Come In Peace (aka Dark Angel)
I remember when a friend and I went to see it, I made the comment about halfway through this would make a great TV series.
Laserblast was edited down for its appearance on Mystery Science Theater 3000 in 1996. Among the scenes cut was a sequence where party guests are questioned at the police station about Chuck's car exploding, more conversations between Billy and Cathy, and more footage of Billy in alien monster mode destroying downtown - along with the sheriffs car being flipped. Laserblast a terrible but watchable movie 🎉
Ah Sunday mornings; Steak, eggs, hash brown, Unapologetic Geek...
Yes, watch the show and share your thoughts, also, "I brought donuts"
You brought what?
Donuts. I was going to get some of those French things
Croissants
Boom, but you say it wrong, you sounds stupid. So I brought donuts. So how was she?
Friendly. I like her.
I can now see why you have an ex-wife
At least I don't have an ex partner!
"Those squibs were meant for me!"😂
Your videos deserve more views!
This Baby Boomer Sci Fi Geek remembers the TV Series more than the movie. Yes, the movie was kind of boring. But so was Buffy The Vampire Slayer movie. The Buffy TV series was so much better -- better casting and more time to string along a story line or four? I saw the movie on cable (back then, probably only HBO available) when the TV show was out in season 2 so it was interesting to see how much they "redo" a story when it moves to television. Best part of the TV series was when they drop aliens into sea water. Like acid to them!
Was District 9 influenced by this movie?
I don’t know if there is any direct connection, but I’d be surprised if there isn’t.
Love your videos. Keep them coming. 😁👍
Thank you for a grand review. Upon hearing of this film, we became extremely interested. I recall one could only learn about the production from magazines like Starlog and its ilk at the time. For the most part, we went into the cinema blind. A dozen friends and I could not wait. The plot set-up was intriguing and the cast were well known to us. Oh dear. This was such a huge dish of ointment. As soon as the credits started we left the cinema. The pub was open. We drowned our sorrows and rarely spoke of this average film again. The TV series was avoided. Never mind, maybe Hollywood is making great stuff these days... Nope. Worse.
Francisco was the first Detective, not cop.
The greatest buddy movie ever made was Weekend at Bernie’s and I will fight anyone who disagrees
This is not a bad film, not at all. But at the same time it is a kind of sad waste. They are intelligent beings, very alike us in this aspect. But about their CULTURE? Their clothing, their stories and customs? There is no intelligent life without culture and theirs would "contaminate" Earth people deeply concerning music, outfits and even modes of behaviour, exactly as in our way of living "contaminates" theirs. This simply does not happen as an obvious, inevitable phenomenon.
As I've noted, not a bad film at all, but it could be better, more exciting, more thought-provoking, I guess.