Tank Girl (1995)

classic film baby

one of my favorite movies of all time.... you know that is if you like low budget b movies. overall, it's funny and it is great for a collector like me. September 30, 2008

Best movie, ever

This is seriously the best movie ever made!

Well, maybe not. But it is one of the most fun. You can't go wrong with Tank Girl. Minus one star for the DVD for those of us who remember the laserdisc. When are they going to release a special edition? September 13, 2008

A Cool Comic Classic

I have to admit I'm shocked and a little appalled that this film doesn't get more recognition than it deserves. It's based around the comic character of the same name, the comic design was based around the punk era look and many will recognise that the art and stories are particularly anarchic and totally absurd. Unlike many other comic book to film adaptations, Tank Girl keeps true to its comic roots, if only to fade away to tone down the sex a bit. During the course of the film, it tries to keep so close to the comic feel that some scenes are blended together through the comic type art. Although it did try to keep to the same chaotic style of the popular comic, the movie ultimately bombed at the Box Office, with many people simply saying it wore them out.

There's no doubting the films unlimited amount of energy and bucket full of comic wit and charm. I'm not very familiar with the work of Lori Petty so I can't exactly compare her role as Tank Girl to any of her other work, the only thing I can say is that she was awesome in the role.

The settings aren't anything to write home about, but that's not a problem as it's not really a film that requires any large and detailed environments. It doesn't try to be big budget, it's merely a movie that gives you what you need in order to follow the plot and the characters, no matter how real or surreal they may be.

Set in a dystopian 2033, an asteroid had collided with Earth and it hasn't rained for 11 years. A company called Water & Power lead by the dictatorial Kesslee, seeks to take control of the worlds water supply. Whilst taking over the last known water area, he crosses and kills the boyfriend of Tank Girl, kidnaps his daughter and herself. While in captivity Kesslee tortures Tank Girl in an attempt to try and break her, but she constantly barrages him with insults which only make things worse. Tank Girl manages to escape her initial captivity with the help of Jet Girl (Naomi Watts) but realises she needs to save her boyfriends daughter, Sam and to take down Water & Power. In order to do so she must employ the help of the most feared creatures in the land, The Rippers.

The film is even more bizarre than it initially sounds as, at times it does seem all over the place and at times quite confusing. Although the overall viewing experience can be a bit exhaustive, there's no doubting that it's a definite worthwhile experience.

I personally found that the character of Kesslee played by Malcolm McDowell simply wasn't as intimidating as I found myself wanting him to be. I wanted him to be haunting and at the same time, seem genuinely evil, as it's certainly the type of character the film makers were after. Honestly the only characters that really did work were both Tank & Jet girl, their chemistry really worked when confronting the relationship between the timid Jet Girl and the open and confident Tank Girl. If it weren't for these two I would find myself completely trashing this film, but I couldn't bring myself to do it as Lori Petty simply did a superb job. August 24, 2008

Keeping comic book movies comical

This campy cult classic keeps on delivering. Maybe parts of the sound track are stuck in the mid-90s. Despite that, the after-the-crash survivalism (a la Mad Max or Resident Evil), the evil corporate lords, and the over-the top goofiness all remain as fresh as Tank Girl's mouth.

The plot? Well, it doesn't spoil anything to say that the good guys win in the end. This movie isn't about its plot. Instead, it shows the power of brashness in its purest known form. Other high points include every change of costume (seemingly every scene), the "pimp my ride" approach her tank, and the conversion of a mousy mechanic into gun-slinging Jet Girl.

More than any other comic adaptation, this clings to its roots in pulp-paper print. The characters all offer the depth of the printed page they came from, true, but making everything else bigger, brighter, and ballsier than life forgives any flaws. Then the cuts from actual comic book scenes (or in the style) remind us that this was never meant to be taken seriously. On the other hand, goofiness on this scale can't come from a casual effort - this is absolutely serious light-hearted goofing.

-- wiredweird August 15, 2008

Tank Girl....tanks!

"Tank Girl" has an interesting premise--what's a girl to do in a world where the water&electricity are owned by a few rich white men,especially a maniacal one like Malcolm McDowell? Like Mad Max, Tank Girl is set in post-apocalyptic Australia. Tank Girl (Lori Petty) is a loud,brash woman who defies societal convention,with the help of her friend (a bemused Naomi Watts) She also takes time away from battle to romance a mutant kangaroo man. The movie attempts a creative blend of cyberpunk,post-modern sensibilities,feminism,and politics... but doesn't quite work. Cartoons are spliced in,as well as the grunge rock of Courtney Love, and an Iggy Pop cameo.

"Tank Girl" is one confused movie. It's ironic. The Tank Girl comics were considered subversive in the UK because they were accused of "promoting homosexuality" under the Iron Lady rule of Margaret Thatcher. "Tank Girl meetings" were a pseudonym for meetings of young lesbian/bi/questioning women. Instead "Tank Girl" is a fairly mainstream movie with some oddball concepts... that tanks. April 30, 2008

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