Got another request here, this time for one of the absolute biggest cult classic films that's ever been created. Starting out as comic strip in 1934 as a way to compete with the already popular Buck Rogers comic series, Flash Gordon grew popular with readers, and in 1980, producers decided to begin production on a big screen adaptation!
This is the place where I normally go into story details, yet for this one, only one thing needs to be explained: it tells the tale of New York Jets star Flash Gordon, his journey to the dreaded planet Mongo, and his battle with evil overlord Emperor Ming. There is actually so much in this movie, its far too much for me to go into detail here.
This is the place where I normally go into story details, yet for this one, only one thing needs to be explained: it tells the tale of New York Jets star Flash Gordon, his journey to the dreaded planet Mongo, and his battle with evil overlord Emperor Ming. There is actually so much in this movie, its far too much for me to go into detail here.
Actor Sam Jones takes up the role of the film's titular hero, and he does a pretty decent job. The role demanded someone who could put on the screen that wholesome, all-American goody goody who always stands up in the face of evil, and Jones conveyed that emotion very well. Max von Sydow does fantastically as Emperor Ming. Yet this is Max von Sydow we're talking about, and he's awesome in everything! Whether its playing a chess game with Death, saving a young girl who has been possessed by an evil demon, or attempting to steal a baby and get past the Ghostbusters to he could live again, he always knows how to command the screen.
The cast is rounded out with some pretty big names in supporting roles. Popular "James Bond" actor Timothy Dalton portrays Prince Barin, Melody Anderson as Dale Arden, Ornella Muti as Princess Aura, Peter Wyngarde as General Klyntus, and Chaim Topol as Dr. Hans Zarkov, among others.
Costumes were actually pretty good, and for 1980 that's saying something. Ming's robes give off that look of being a high elite douchebag, which matches the character perfectly. And Flash's look is pretty spot-on from the original comic strip. But the costumes I was most impressed with would be the ones utilized by Prince Vultan's Hawkmen of Sky City. These guys look like a cross between the Wicked Witch's flying monkeys and DC Comics Hawk Man.
Costumes were actually pretty good, and for 1980 that's saying something. Ming's robes give off that look of being a high elite douchebag, which matches the character perfectly. And Flash's look is pretty spot-on from the original comic strip. But the costumes I was most impressed with would be the ones utilized by Prince Vultan's Hawkmen of Sky City. These guys look like a cross between the Wicked Witch's flying monkeys and DC Comics Hawk Man.
The one thing I can say about this movie is that at least it doesn't try to take itself too seriously. I've witness too many space-type fantasy films where the producers went for an incredibly serious take, only to come off looking goofy and dumb. This film looks goofy, but they know that. And they utilize that. Whether it be flying men with wings, a flying jet ski-looking thing, or the simple notion that a football player is chosen as the Earth's best defender against an evil Alien army. In recent years, thanks most in part to Seth McFarlane's hit "Ted", this film has seen a bit of a resurgence. And why shouldn't it? It's the perfect film to sit down with your kids and watch. And I would be remiss if I were to not say something about the amazing theme song done by Queen. I still find myself singing it to this day! "dundundundundundun FLASH dundundundun AAAA-AAAHHHHHH! SAVIOUR OF THE UNIVERSE!" Check this out on DVD and Blu-Ray!