Flash Gordon (1980)

Classic

This is a classic. And they redited it so it looks amazing. The case is cool too if you want to display it. It fold up to open. I really love this movie. You should check out the new figures they just put out for it. June 7, 2008

A brief comment

Having remembered fondly the other Buck Rogers movie from the late 70s, if I recall right, I had always wanted to see this one.

I wasn't disappointed. Filled with dramatic and improved special effects (it was now several years from the first Star Wars movie), spectacular cinematography, absolutely fabulous costumes, beautifully done sets, and a stellar cast, this movie delivers on all counts. I suspect just their costume budget was more than the original Star Wars movie.

The plot is well known, so I won't comment there. But the entire cast looks like they're having a grand time with this campy, fun-filled, futuristic romp. Brian Blessed, who plays Vultan, the king of the Hawkmen, looks like he's having the time of his life. In fact, while watching the movie that I reflected that I couldn't ever recall seeing an actor having such an uproarious, rip-snorting good time playing a role. He is absolutely beside himself with the pleasure of playing that part, and I just found out why after doing a little research on the IMDB site. Here's an except from the page there:

"As a child he and his friends used to play at Flash Gordon, inspired by the Buster Crabbe TV serials. In these childhood games Brian would always play Vultan, leader of the Hawkmen. In the 1980 film Flash Gordon he played the same role as he had in childhood."

No wonder Brian is having such a good time. :-) It's amazing that he got to play the role of his favorite character in the big screen movie. Good for Brian, who has always been one of my favorite actors. What an amazing coincidence and stroke of good luck for Brian.

All the actors are great too, and Max von Sydow is perfect as the evil Ming. But everyone else in the cast is superb also, including the ones I didn't know as well, and I only knew Timothy Dalton from his James Bond roles.

Overall, a fun movie that more than does justice to the original concept. May 15, 2008

Reluctant Hero Masterpiece

Keep in mind that the effects are "80's Awesome", Flash is a great movie. It has something for everyone and is a fun family film to boot. This was one of my favorite films as a kid and the soundtrack is amazing. The surprising thing about this film is how engaging all the supplemental characters come to be. They are not the paper-cut "extras" that permeate so many other films of this genre. FLASH is legendary! Enjoy! May 11, 2008

An 80's Sci-fi classic!

Heroic football player Flash Gordon (Sam Jones) and his lovely girlfriend Dale (Melody Anderson) were on their way to New York, until their plane crash lands in the hidden lab base of Russian scientist Dr. Zarvok (Topol) who sends them and himself to the planet Mongo on a rocketship. The planet is ruled by the wicked Emperor Ming the Merciless (Max Von Sydow)who plans on marrying Dale and destroying the Earth so he can conquer the universe, Flash must try to rescue her by battling many of Ming's goons, unite two kingdoms to overthrow Ming and is being seduced by a beautiful princess (Ornella Muti).

Fantastic and humorous Sci-fi fantasy comedy based on a classic 30's comic strip, producer Dino De Laurentiis and his studio has brought the comic to life in a grand and yet silly way. The film also stars Timothy Dalton, Kenny Baker and Richard O'Brien, this a delightful and colorful epic that i loved since i was a kid and still love. As of today it has gained a cult following for it's quirkiness and entertainment value, the music score by Queen is just awesome especially the theme song that no one forgets and i highly recommend this movie for good escapist fun.

This special edition DVD contains excellent remastered picture and sound with some fine extras like the Theatrical trailer, two featurettes, a 1936 Flash Gordon serial and sneek preview of the new Flash Gordon series plus a cool Postcard sized artwork of Flash Gordon from Alex Ross.

Also recommended: "Krull", "Star Wars Saga", "Heavy Metal", "The Fifth Element", "Barberella", "Superman 1 & 2", "Superman Returns", "Iron Man", "Star Trek Saga", "Starchaser: Legend of Orin", "The Dark Crystal", "Conan The Barbarian", "Highlander", "Clash of the Titans", "Transformers (1986 and 2007)", "Killer Klowns from Outer Space", "Galaxy Quest", "Spaceballs", "The Black Hole", "Zathura", "Tron", "Rock and Rule", "Dune (1984 and 2000)", "Children of Dune", "Lifeforce", "Nausicca: Valley of the Winds", "Stargate", "The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai", and "Big Trouble in Little China". May 6, 2008

Know Before You Buy!

For me, what made this Flash Gordon movie so special was the music by Queen (though Brian Blessed is great!) and if that's what you remember and why you are considering buying this DVD, then DON'T!

The images are clear. The story as campy and fun as ever. But the music seems to have been phoned in from Hong Kong over a very bad connection. For me, this ruined everything. Save your money. Better to by the CD of the soundtrack!! How in this day and with the technology available this DVD ever saw the light of day is beyond me. May 5, 2008

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