:
M. James Arnett,
M. James Arnett,
Peter Weller,
more...
:
W.D. Richter,
W.D. Richter
see all cast/crew...
: 
: MGM
: Cult, Science Fiction , Aliens, Mad Science, Mad Science
: 102 min.
: English, French
: English, Spanish, French
see additional details...
|
|
Despite mixed reviews and a disastrous initial release that dumped the film into theaters for a week in the midst of the 1984 Summer Olympics, The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the Eight Dimension went on to become one of the major cult films of the 1980s, developing a rabid following after its release on videotape. Drifting between satire and improbable sci-fi adventure, the film stars Peter Weller as Buckaroo Banzai, the son of an American mother and Japanese father who is a combination physicist, neurosurgeon, martial arts master, secret agent, and rock star who travels with his band of assistants/backing musicians, The Hong Kong Cavaliers. As the story opens, Buckaroo is driving his car through a mountain to test his new invention, the Oscillation Overthruster. However, a race of boorish aliens called the Red Lectroids have been waiting for such an item to become a reality, as they need it to return to the distant planet they call home. One of Buckaroo's arch-enemies, Dr. Emilio Lizardo (John Lithgow), who has been possessed by the Red Lectroids, attempted to created a similar device decades before; now escaped from an insane asylum, he is back at work with the Lectroids on a plan to control the world. Throw in Rastafarian aliens, unscheduled travel between dimensions, and the odd inexplicable watermelon, and you get a film that defies conventional synopsis. With its fast pace, quotable dialogue ("No matter where you go, there you are"), and barrage of gags (subtle and otherwise), you won't be bored even when you're not sure what's going on. The supporting cast includes Jeff Goldblum as New Jersey, a Cavalier with a snappy cowboy outfit, and Ellen Barkin as Penny Priddy, the twin sister of Buckaroo's late wife. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
Special Features:
- Alternate Opening
- Buckaroo Banzai Declassified Documentary
- Deleted Scenes Archives
- Commentary with Director W.D. Richter and Writer Earl Mac Rauch
- Character Profiles and Photo Gallery
- "Jet Car All Access"
- Pinky Carruther's Unknown Facts
|
| This is one film that hasn't aged well.
by CPoltJones
July 7, 2005 - 11:49 PM PDT
|
|
|
0 out of 2 members found this review helpful
|
| I first saw this movie in the theaters when it was released. I wasn't too impressed then, and 20 years later find it no better on the second viewing. There are a few choice moments, but very few. The overall screenplay is quite fractured and weak, appearing to be a patchwork effort. Two thirds of the way through, I just gave up and hit the fast forward button out of morbid curiousity to make sure I didn't miss anything interesting. I didn't. It's not good science fiction. The hipness factor is nonexistent, although Jeff Goldblum's character is so over the top it does offer a slight redemption amidst an otherwise tedious viewing experience. Place this one towards the bottom of your wish list. I can recommend it only when the well is starting to run dry. |
| premium camp at it's serious best
by psychodrama311
May 13, 2003 - 7:35 PM PDT
|
|
|
3 out of 4 members found this review helpful
|
| not much to add to the previous review..but i will say banzai is a definite fun film to waste a few hours through. also the dvd contents enough extras to waste a few more. nothing bad about this camp.. all high quality. |
| A sleeper hit for the ages
by PotatoesBrowning
October 16, 2002 - 7:43 AM PDT
|
|
|
8 out of 8 members found this review helpful
|
| I passed on this film when it first came out in '84: the ad made it look like it was all about light weight goofy dumb fun, something there was an overabundance of in that decade already. How wrong I was! This is one of the smartest movies I can ever remember seeing. What is so remarkable about "Buckaroo" is that it weaves together elements that you might think simply cannot coexist in the same story: hilarity and edginess. Yet while the makers of "Buckaroo" create a sort of warped comic tension, they manage to do so without crossing over into cynicism and snickering, and that's a class act. It seems to me that most film makers and TV producers wait at least ten to fifteen years to lampoon a given decade, but these guys were smart enough to realize back then that there was so much about '80s pop culture that was absolutely bombastic and foolish, they couldn?t wait. Usually we look back on photos of ourselves from the past and groan. In "Buckaroo," it's like all of the participants were already aware of what a silly decade they were stuck in, but could do nothing about it, so they made a movie. Being trapped in that place and time, they chose to simply embrace the '80s without letting it define them. Peter Weller should have won some sort of award for making it through the entire movie with a straight face, John Lithgow is at his absolute maniacal best, and I've lost count of how many jars of Vaseline I've run through staring at Ellen Barkin. Works on a lot of levels for a lot of different people. Glad to see it's emerging as a sleeper hit. |
|
|
GreenCine Member Rating
(Average 6.37)
412 Votes
add to list 
|
|
|
Your cart
chaosmind
eifert
© 2006 All Media Guide, LLC. Portions of content provided by All Movie Guide®,
a trademark of All Media Guide, LLC.