THE ADVENTURES OF BUCKAROO BANZAI ACROSS THE 8th DIMENSION – W.D. Richter

I’ve seen a lot of films in my day..a lot of films! and over that period of time, you see some real bad films…i mean, really bad! I use to think that howard the duck was the worst film of all time. then not too long ago, I saw the film, the stuff, which I labeled the worst film of all time for sure! well, my friends, all that has changed..big time! my wife sees this dvd on the discount shelf not too long ago and say’s, “oh i love that film!” so, i pick it up since i had never seen it and trust her on this…bad move on my part! i was unsure if i even wanted to do a review on this film, but dear friends, i have to tell you about the good films not to miss and that includes the bad ones you wanta miss! so, here is my review of one of the weirdest, worst, and just plain? huh? films I’ve ever seen!

Ah, the 80′s! I’ve said many times how it was my generation..my time..and what a time it was. amongst the big blockbusters, sequels, dramas, silly comedies, and horror films and their stupid sequels..there were a lot of scifi films. star wars and star trek weren’t the only scifi films in the 80′s. there were films like starman, space hunter:adverntures in the forbidden zone, ice pirates, kroll, and many others..some pretty cheesey. however, there was nothing cheesier than this film!

The story goes, an adventuer/surgeon/rock and roll star; buckaroo banzai (played by peter weller) has invented an oscillation overthruster so that he could travel through solid matter. when he does this, word gets out and a alien/scientist, lord john whorfin (played by john lithgow), wants this for himself so that he can unleash his alien fighters, the red lectroids, onto the earth in an all out war till the end. it’s up to buckaroo banzai and his “band” to save the planet and the universe from these alien creatures. there’s a little more to it, but it’s so bizzare and weird that even “i” couldn’t understand it all! if you’re into the weird, unusual, early 80′s cheesey, and even techno 80′s new wave soundtrack, scifi then knock yourself out and see this film, but if not … stay away! stay far away!

The only thing that i was quite amazed at about this film is; there is a huge cast of actors in this that throughout the film i kept saying, “i know that guy he was in..” or “he’s in this!” you’ll find yourself doing the same. not just the lead roles like peter weller, jeff goldblum, ellen barkin, john lithgow, christopher lloyd but to the suportting cast and even smaller roles…you just know the faces from somewhere. apparently, according to my wife who had a video store back then, claims this was a huge hit back then. she say’s it was always checked out and had a waiting list. well, i’m sorry dear love of mine, i just don’t see how! if ya don’t believe me, check this out just for pure laughs!

RANK: 4/10

Directed by: W.D. Richter
Cast: Peter Weller, John Lithgow, Ellen Barkin
USA, 1984