The Last Starfighter was a really……interesting movie. That’s to say that while I really liked this film, I do think it could be improved upon. HOWEVER, I feel that I’m getting ahead of myself.
The Last Starfighter, is a cult classic 1980’s science fiction adventure movie directed by Nick Castle (who originally played Michael Meyers/The Shape in the first Halloween movie as well as writing Escape from New York) and stars Lance Guest (from Halloween 2). The film, is about a simple video game/arcade geek who lives in dullsville USA. However, after scoring a record breaking high score, suddenly he’s whisked away by aliens and must solve an intergalactic war.
One of the main draws to this film, is the contrast of the everyman appeal of Lance Guest juxtaposed with the epic nature and scale of the intergalactic war and many alien races. So many 1980’s films have dabbled heavily in using CGI; HOWEVER, this film is extremely excessive in it to the point of coating it in overwhelming crappy special effects. Nevertheless, like I previously said, the main draw of this film is the loveable characters and epic storyline.
Most film geeks, have frequently undervalued and undermined remakes and reboots. However, I feel that The Last Starfighter would be the ideal classic 1980’s movie to be remade. While the story is epic, yet intimate and timeless, it is also sadly lessened by aforementioned dated special effects. I feel that if a film maker of today with a love of classic science fiction and were supported by someone with that same love (like JJ Abrams or Edgar Wright perhaps?), but with the modern CGI of today. Then it could be the start of an amazing new space opera series (especially thanks to the success of Guardians of The Galaxy).
So at the end of the day, it’s a fun, all be it endearingly cheesy 1980’s classic, well worth a watch, before its inevitable remake/reboot. This has been Lawrence Gaines, from Lord of The Reels, as always inviting you to enjoy and share the love.