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Flash Gordon (1980)

A Techtite Review

The Film : Perhaps one of my favorite guilty pleasures in film, is the 1980 remake of the classic Flash Gordon sci-fi shows. This remake is not necessarily a classic per se, nor is it as memorable as Star Wars or Star Trek. However, that's half it's charm; harmless science fiction, for the sake of being harmless fun. Somewhere, Buster Crabbe could be very proud.

The story is simple enough; Emperor Ming the Merciless (Max von Sydow) rules within a magical, Imperial Vortex, which houses a junkyard-type solar system of all the planets he's destroyed and conquered. Earth, of course, is next. Flash Gordon (Sam Jones) is a quarterback for the NY Jets, who, with the help of a crazy scientist named Hans Zarkov (Topol) is accidentally sent into the vortex, along with reporter Dale Arden (Melody Anderson). It is now up to this trio of unlikely heroes, to stop this menace to humanity.

As expected, things go from bad to worse. Ming takes a liking to Dale, and commands her to become his next bride. Meanwhile, Flash tries to stop their abduction of her, and begins to tackle the royal guards (in one of many humorous yet incredibly well done action scenes). He's declared to be put to death, though Ming's daughter (Ornella Muti) has other plans; she likes Flash, and decides to fake his death, so she can "keep him" for herself! Worst of all, Dr. Zarkov is sent to the science lab, to have his mind erased. I guess that's what he gets for sending them all into the Vortex in the first place.

There are several reasons this film shines above most other 1980's fare. One is an amusing tongue and cheek approach, making the whole film fun, no matter how dark the circumstances shown on screen (the possible destruction of Earth, for one thing!). The best part, though, is more color than you usually see in sci-fi of the late 20th century. Ever since Alien, sci-fi films seem to be obsessed with dark gray as their favorite, overused color. Not so with Flash Gordon, whose sets, costumes, and make up are all so colorful, some might even glow in the dark! Ming's henchman, Klytus, for example, is decked out in a "grim reaper" type of cloak, with a gold skull mask covering his mysterious face. Even the Imperial Vortex itself, is filled with colorful gases and smoke, like some other-galaxy nebula. Definitely, this is one of the most unique visions of sci-fi since the over-colorful B-grade films of the 1950's and '60s.

The biggest sales pitch of the film, however, is a soundtrack of songs made specifically for the movie, and all by the rock group, Queen. This is a big departure from the usual classical music heard in sci-fi films, and this is also part of the film's unique charm. It helps, of course, that all of the music is excellently chosen, right down to the unforgettably done opening theme song. It may not be as lyric-filled as a Disney tune, and yet you'll be humming, "Flash....AH-AH!" for hours on end after the movie has already finished. Hearing this soundtrack, in digital audio, is half the thrill of getting the film on DVD!

The DVD : Sadly, the only current DVD --if you can find it!-- has no major bonus materials to speak of. The DVD has since been pulled from production. Can this mean what I think it (usually) means? ...A collector's edition in the works, with the bonus materials we all want and would love to see? That would be totally cool! However, for now, it's only available on VHS. Bummer; this film deserves more respect than just that.

	Final Rating : Large Crater. It's hard to imagine a sci-fi remake as colorful as this...or half as fun.
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Sacrilege! This film is only available on VHS! Click the picture at left to order it anyway...

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