Spacehunter: Adventures in the Forbidden Zone

This admittedly pulpy attempt to synthesise Start Wars and Mad Max into an epic adventure could have resulted in an outstanding film if the screenplay and direction had been just a bit better. However, it didn’t result in ahopeless cock-up from the ranks of Italian and Filipino imitators of those pop-culture milestones. It is simply a solid genre film that is rightfully half-forgotten, yet passionately exalted by its fans. Ivan Reitman, who is inadequately associated only with his mainstream comedies, follows up his previous production work in the area of self-indulgent adoration of limp heroic stories. As with Heavy Metal, he consciously lent his auspices to a dime-store sci-fi adventure that by no means denies its inspirations and has excellent art direction, as well as enough of its own ideas to warm the hearts of more than a few fans of postapocalyptic films. Though it is clear that the relevant professionals put more work into the art direction, costumes and scenography than the script and direction could put to use in individual scenes, particular instances on this post-apocalyptic planet are impressive with their opulent and straightforward pulpiness, as will as with the impression of an elaborate world that could offer countless other escapades. (05/01/2020)