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Movie: Laserblast:
The title gives it all away...or does it?
What the title does not tell the audience is that the movie
features more than just laser blasting. We'll begin with the
incredible cast of characters. First there's Billy, our young
anti-hero who is picked on by almost everyone in town, until he
finds a powerful alien bazooka. He is laserblasted by the
aliens, but not incinerated so that Kathy can weep over his
body. As you may have guessed, Kathy is his girlfriend and she
loves her little loser. Chuck and Froggy are the town bullies.
Why does a big tough guy always keep a loud-mouth worm around?
Thankfully, both are laserblasted.
Jeep and Ungar are the town Deputies and jerks. And staying true
to movie stereotype, the Deputies come in a pair of the imposing
corn-fed jerk and another who is an insanely skinny jerk. These
two fit the stereotype nicely and get laserblasted to donut
heaven. And since this is an attempt at an alien movie, we are
treated to the obligatory and sad government agent, Mr. Craig,
though we never find out if he has any inkling of his own
purpose in this film. There's also a simple country Doctor
Mellon (Roddy McDowall!) who is not afraid to cut metallic
growths out of Billy's chest. He is laserblasted before the
malpractice suit comes rolling in.
One of the stranger characters, with deference to the many other
strange characters, is The Colonel (Keenan Wynn) who spends most
of the film in Operation Alzheimer's. And rounding out the bunch
are the intergalactic police who also happen to be naked
Stop-Motion Aliens! |
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Prologue:
Tom and Crow have tied up Mike and jammed an oily rag
into his mouth all for the sake of an elaborate Beyond
Thunderdome joke. Tom begins, "Boy, I still think we really
screwed up on that whole Thunderdome fiasco." To which Crow
replies with wit, "Oh c'mon, can't we just get beyond
Thunderdome?" Thank you.
Segment 1:
Dr. Forrester informs the gang on the SOL that he's
disconnecting the umbilicus. Despite their alarm and with no
consideration to their interjections, he does it. He then
informs Mike and the 'Bots that he'll be moving back in with his
mother who is packing up his things as they speak. Lastly, Dr.
Forrester nonchalantly mentions that their orbit will decay in
about two hours—just enough time for one last movie.
Segment 2:
Crow is chased by the Monad satellite who threatens to destroy
him for being imperfect. Tom and Mike invite Monad to a little
pizza party on Thursday. After Monad accepts, Mike quickly
corrects Monad and tells him that the party is actually on
Friday. Mike tells Monad that since he did not know the party
was on Friday that he is imperfect and must destroy himself. An
all-out argument ensues between Monad and Mike and the 'Bots.
Monad threatens to instead destroy all of them. Mike ejects
Monad from the SOL.
Segment 3:
The SOL rocks violently as it hits a field of star babies, one
of which is in bad need of a diaper change. Mike sends Tom and
Crow out with a giant diaper and then continues to feverishly
instruct the 'Bots in the fine art of diaper changing all the
while chain smoking and drinking copious amounts of coffee.
Somehow the 'Bots still manage to succeed.
Segment 4:
Crow and Tom are admiring the beauty of a...black hole! A
panicking Gypsy informs the 'Bots that the SOL is plummeting
toward the singularity. Mike, as Captain Janeway, takes command
of the SOL. After a short and bewildering speech, Captain
Janeway breaks into song.
Segment 5:
Mike and Tom admire the edge of the universe. Crow, with
sandwich in hand, explains that he's suddenly become aware that
he can leave his corporeal body and become pure energy. After a
bit of intense concentration, he does it. Tom follows his lead,
as does Mike, Gypsy, and finally even Cambot. They all float
away.
Meanwhile, Dr. Forrester, sitting all alone at a table, is
slowly eating a meal. After knocking over his wine glass, he see
himself as an old man laying in bed. As he rises from his
slumber, he points to a giant VHS tape at the foot of his bed
labeled "The Worst Movie Ever Made." The culmination of his
life's work completed, he transforms into a floating star baby.
Mrs. Forrester lovingly takes hold of him and says, "Another
chance to do it right. Ah, isn't it wonderful, baby?" The Dr.
Forrester baby replies, "Oh, poopie."
Stinger:
Hippie in the van that picks up hitchhiking Billy says, "Faaaar
Out!"
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