The Last Starfighter (1984)
Director: Nick Castle
Starring: Lance Guest, Robert Preston, Catherine Mary Stewart, Dan O’Herlihy
For the “best” description of the plot you really should listen to the podcast where you will get more than your fair share of synopsis.
This week’s podcast was cursed, cursed as if we had built a giant house over the top of a sacred burial ground moved in, put our daughter in front of a big tv and lit up some reefer.
We recorded it twice because the first time my computer ate it.
The second time Dan’s computer ate 45 minutes of editing time he had done.
Be happy that it’s finally here.
Was it worth it?
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Next week: Tremors 2: Aftershocks
Science Fiction
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Catherine Mary Stewart, Dan O'Herlihy, Gunstar, Lance Guest, Nick Castle, Robert Preston, The Last Starfighter
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Themocracy
ha ha… setting an axe on fire… that’s great.
The handling of that scene with Louis and the porn is the worst part of the film, IMO. And only minimally for the reason Dan is upset. It completely drives me nuts, because I think that scene is great from a humor perspective, but it’s completely blown by the pornography and profanity. It’s totally out of place in this movie. Aside from that scene, I think this movie is great for kids.
It reminds me of Stuart Little where there’s a scene in an otherwise wonderful kids film when the cat just curses. Totally out of place and completely inappropriate in that film. What idiot thought that was a good idea? If it was a film aimed at adults that’s one thing… but something so obviously targeted at kids, and small ones at that, it actually angers me.
So here’s my story: one of the first times my wife’s family came to my house (the actual first time, I think), I suggested that the kids watch this film (which I own) while the adults hang out and talk. I had completely forgotten about this scene, aside from the talking head. So we’re all talking in a different room and suddenly start hearing about Playboy and profanities coming from the other room, and ALL of the parents are looking at me like “seriously? This is the film you picked for our kids to watch?” And the scene goes on long enough that it was actually literally painfully embarrassing for me. I still get a twisting in my stomach thinking about it, and this was 7.5 years ago.
Come to think of it, I’m not sure I’ve watched it since, and I absolutely love this film.
As for the soundtrack, it is absolutely fantastic. Not too subtle, but it works for this film perfectly.
Ha ha… infomercial… nice callback.
I’ve been thinking that the lack of Tron comments is my fault. Obviously I added just enough to the commentary that we covered all possible aspects and arguments that could be raised, so there’s nothing left for anyone to say. Or it could be that lazy thing you mentioned.
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Dan Reply:
February 4th, 2010 at 7:07 am
@Jeff, I never thought of it that way, but you’re right – the porn scene doesn’t sit well with the rest of the movie.
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Lee Reply:
February 4th, 2010 at 1:02 pm
@Jeff, I very rarely find children swearing to be either funny or endearing. Yet unfortunately so many films seem to disagree with me and insist on the whole ‘hey look little kid swearing = funny’.
To be honest I barely register the scene in the overall picture and frankly if it were edited out it would not change the film at all for me.
Dan and I were discussing comments on podcasts last night and how we think it is a lot harder to gather comments because people rarely sit down to listen to the podcast here and now, often they will download it to an mp3 player or listen to it some other time so we honestly don’t get too concerned.
That being said we do love being able to extend the discussion and hear what you guys think of the movie so please keep em coming!!!
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Jeff Reply:
February 4th, 2010 at 1:22 pm
@Lee, I agree about editing the scene out, and the reason for fewer comments on podcasts. In fact, I agree about kids swearing not being funny, too … so… I guess this post can be summed up in two words, really. I’m not going to say what words those are though. There’s really no point since you know what they are, and I’m only really writing this much because I’m bored and need something to keep me busy while I decide what to do next.
Okay. Thanks for letting me ramble.
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Lee Reply:
February 4th, 2010 at 3:27 pm
@Jeff, that’s fine, agreeing with me is good for one’s soul.
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Dan Reply:
February 4th, 2010 at 7:02 pm
@Jeff, I’ve been thinking about this, and I think the only reason it didn’t strike me more a the time is because my kids aren’t old enough to watch this movie yet. In a couple of years time I’m sure I’ll be equally annoyed by this throwaway scene causing me to be reluctant to shown them an otherwise great movie.
Another good reason why this is a 8.75/10 rather than 10
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I did crack up at Dan mentioning there are not enough multipliers to accurately state how much better this movie is than Cannonball Run. Excellent podcast this week gentlemen, excellent.
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Dan Reply:
February 4th, 2010 at 7:08 am
@Kevin Spencer, thank you sir
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Lee Reply:
February 4th, 2010 at 1:04 pm
@Kevin Spencer, LOL cheers!! Actually I’m reminded of the scene in Contact (I believe I may in fact be making this up) where they’re on a beach and they say that every grain of sand represents a sun and it shows how small we are in the universe, that’s the kind of quality scale we’re talking about between the Run and the Starfighter
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My copy arrived Tuesday, and I managed to watch it last night while I downloaded the podcast! I’ve watched it once before, in ’86-’87(?) and recall loving the whole computer animation, and the “reluctant hero recruited through computer game” premise. I have to agree though that it hasn’t aged nearly as well as TRON! I think the inside-the-computer setting of TRON is part of the reason. Perhaps I am biased as I have watched TRON many, many times, and the kids (which initially surprised me)) love it too! The other reason I ordered a copy of The Last Starfighter was maybe I thought “If they like and accept TRON, maybe The Last Starfighter might be a good one too”. I almost kept my 11 and 9 year old up to watch it with me last night, but I’m glad I didn’t! I wouldn’t have been ready for explaining to them Lewis’ patent propensity for p0rn and pottymouthedness! (How’s that for alliteration?!?) I’ve gotta agree that kids swearing in a Kids/Family film is not cool- and still remember dreading my parents sitting down to watch ET, knowing that the dreaded “Penisbreath” line was only moments away! (I coughed loudly I think!)
I’m only twenty minutes into the podcast, so may return with more inane waffling…
Love your work guys! (Still waiting eagerly for my copy of Enemy Mine, although I’m preparing myself for disappointment!)
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Dan Reply:
February 4th, 2010 at 7:04 pm
@SG-3, I suspect Enemy mine may even be improved with age, as it was quite a dialogue and character driven film if I remember rightly.
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Lee Reply:
February 4th, 2010 at 7:30 pm
@Dan, you know with all this Enemy Mine / Quaid talk we’re going to have to watch it.
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Lee Reply:
February 4th, 2010 at 7:28 pm
@SG-3, Wow I’m really surprised that Lewis’ porn pleasure pit has caused such a public outcry. Not that I disagree at all but I’m just surprised is all.
Only twenty minutes in? Cool then you haven’t gotten to the good part yet… ummmm you pick which bit is the good bit
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When I see this movie, I think of Blake Edwards’ “S.O.B.” (a great movie).
Why is that? Because of Robert Preston. When I first saw S.O.B. I was with my father, and when he saw RP playing a wise-cracking Hollywood Dr. Feelgood, he laughed. Since I had never seen RP in anything before, I didn’t know that he was a long time singing, dancing, leading man with huge hits like “The Music Man” to his credit, so I didn’t really get the joke.
Then I saw this movie and I thought, oh there goes that Robert Preston guy again.
Then I finally saw Music Man and some of his earlier stuff and I finally got the joke.
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Dan Reply:
February 5th, 2010 at 6:10 pm
@JJ Daddy-O, I’ve never seen Robert Preston in anything else, but after being reminded of his performance in this film I’m quite keen to see more.
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Jeff Reply:
February 5th, 2010 at 11:38 pm
@Dan, Oh, you’ve gotta see Music Man. That is the definitive Robert Preston role. Plus it’s got some great songs.
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Lee Reply:
February 6th, 2010 at 9:20 pm
@JJ Daddy-O, SOB I want to say that it was film where a very famous actress exposed her chest region but then I’d look like a pervert who only remembers movies because they have very famous actresses exposing themselves in the chest region…
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Oooh, and one thing that I shamefully hadn’t realized was how heavily involved Ron Cobb was in the design of the film. He is such a cool designer, artist, and cartoonist, whom I blame entirely for my childhood craving to be allowed to watch Alien! (My mad uncle allowed me to salivate over the “making of” book years before I was finally allowed to see it! Cobb’s conceptual drawings are just amazing!)
He also did work for (amongst a whole heap of big films) that other midmoclub favourite, Back to the Future!
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Lee Reply:
February 15th, 2010 at 8:38 am
@SG-3, I have seen his work but never made the connection either.
I don’t think we’ll get to watch Alien here at the club because Dan scares very easily
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