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| Image courtesy of robotGEEK'SCultCinema.blogspot.com |
This was one I received in the mail yesterday and one I reviewed back in July of this year (for a recap check out my review here), but I still feel this is a grossly overlooked gem in the 80's Trash Cinema genre.
Truth be told though, I don't think that was the genre they were aiming for. I have a strong suspicion they were going more for a young James Bond kind of a vibe, but with some of the most WTF? creative decisions I've ever seen put to film, I don't think this film really had a chance for mainstream success.
I love this film with a passion. It's definitely a product of it's time but it's so much more than that. First off you have original James Bond George Lazenby playing the dad of John Stamos's character, Lance Stargrove (if that's not a spy name, I don't know what is). By the way, both father and son are always referred to only as Stargrove, you know, like James Bond. But you also have Gene Simmons playing a hermaphrodite cult leader/lounge singer who, by the way, does a song and dance number so disturbing, the images will be burned in your brain forever. Also, you've got a frequently nude Vanity doing what she does best, looking good naked and often, and trying her best to deliver her ridiculous lines with a straight face. John Stamos is the perfect embodiment of 80's cheese and with him as the glue, it all comes together so horribly perfect. This film is so bad in the "awfully good" sense because of almost every single creative decision that went into making this from the casting, story, direction, editing and right down to the music and absurd script.....and I loved every second of it. If you've never seen this or haven't seen it since it's original release on VHS back in 1986, I strongly suggest asking a buddy for a copy or getting your own VHS copy since it's never had a DVD release or even a Laserdisc release if i'm not mistaken. I myself hadn't seen it since it's original release until I reviewed it back in July and I had such a blast with it.
