SPACEBALLS
(director/writer: Mel Brooks; screenwriters: Thomas Meehan, Ronny Graham; cinematographer: Nick McLean; editor: Conrad Buff 1V; music: John Morris; cast: Mel Brooks (President Skroob/Yogurt), John Candy (Barf), Rick Moranis (Dark Helmet), Daphne Zuniga (Princess Vespa), Bill Pullman (Lone Star), Dick van Patten (King Roland), Sandy Helberg (Dr. Schlotkin), Sal Viscuso (Radio Operator), Jim Jackman (Major Asshole), Joan Rivers (voice of Dot Matrix), George Wyner (Colonel Sandurz), Jim J. Bullock (Prince Valium), Ronny Graham (Minister), Richard Karron (Pizza the Hut), Dom DeLuise (Voice of Pizza the Hut), Lorene Yarnell (Dot Matrix), John Hurt (Himself); Runtime: 96; MPAA Rating: PG; producer; Mel Brooks: MGM/Kino Lorber; 1987)
“A crude spoof of Star Wars.”
Reviewed by Dennis Schwartz
A crude spoof of Star Wars (which began ten years earlier). This version is heartily approved and supported by its creator George Lucas. Mel Brooks (“High Anxiety”/”The Producers”) co-writes (with Thomas Meehan & Ronny Graham), directs, produces and stars in a dual role. Loaded with sophomoric one-liners, tacky Borscht Belt humor, unsightly sight gags and raunchy flatulence comedy that hits its targets with mostly weak zingers. Some jokes land (the merchandising one), but more miss (like having a bridge crew all named ‘Asshole’). In any case, the comedy comes across as strained and low brow (like the ethnic slur of making fun of the Jewish princess’ need for a nose job).
On the peaceful Druida planet, the King Roland (Dick Van Patten) is set to marry off his pretty daughter Princess Vespa (Daphne Zuniga) to the sleepy Prince Valium (Jim J. Bullock). Sensing she’s not in love, Vespa’s loyal android (voiced by Joan Rivers, who is dreadful) engineers her escape during the wedding ceremony.
In the distant planet Spaceball, the moronic President Skroob (Mel Brooks) orders his evil adviser Dark Helmet (Rick Moranis) to kidnap Princess Vespa so as to force King Roland to provide them with the secret combination to the airlock used to protect the Druidia’s atmosphere so no one can steal it. Skroob through bad adminstration of the planet has wasted his planet’s air supply and needs the air of the planet Druidia to survive.
The dashing mercenary captain Lone Star (Bill Pullman)–think of the composite of Luke Skywalker/Hans Solo– and his loyal half-human, half-canine sidekick Barf attempt to save the damsel in distress, while also trying to escape from the ruthless loan-shark Pizza the Hut (voiced by Dom Deluise)–they owe the weasel a million dollars.
The escapees are on the Sands of Vegas and can’t be spotted. The lead military searcher for Spaceball is Colonel Sandurz (George Wyner). Heuses the video of the completed movie that wasn’t completed to spot in the desert Barf, Dot Mix, Princess Vespa, and Captain Lone Star. To escape from their pursuers, they locate the magical Yogurt hidden in a dune. He possesses the power of the Schwartz, and gives Lone Star a ring to release the Schwartz when needed in his fight with his enemies.
‘May the Schwartz be with you’ is the film’s calling card. And you’ll need it to get through this schlocky film without feeling childish.
Reviewed by Dennis Schwartz
A crude spoof of Star Wars (which began ten years earlier). This version is heartily approved and supported by its creator George Lucas. Mel Brooks (“High Anxiety”/”The Producers”) co-writes (with Thomas Meehan & Ronny Graham), directs, produces and stars in a dual role. It’s loaded with sophomoric one-liners, tacky Borscht Belt humor, unsightly sight gags and raunchy flatulence comedy that hits its targets with mostly weak zingers. Some jokes land (the merchandising one), but more miss (like having a bridge crew all named ‘Asshole’). In any case, the comedy comes across as strained and low brow (like the ethnic slur of making fun of the Jewish princess’ need for a nose job).
On the peaceful Druida planet, the King Roland (Dick Van Patten) is set to marry off his pretty daughter Princess Vespa (Daphne Zuniga) to the sleepy Prince Valium (Jim J. Bullock). Sensing she’s not in love, Vespa’s loyal android (voiced by Joan Rivers, who is dreadful) engineers her escape during the wedding ceremony.
In the distant planet Spaceball, the moronic President Skroob (Mel Brooks) orders his evil adviser Dark Helmet (Rick Moranis) to kidnap Princess Vespa so as to force King Roland to provide them with the secret combination to the airlock used to protect the Druidia’s atmosphere so no one can steal it. Skroob through bad adminstration of the planet has wasted his planet’s air supply and needs the air of the planet Druidia to survive.
The dashing mercenary Captain Lone Star (Bill Pullman)–think of the composite of Luke Skywalker/Hans Solo– and his loyal half-human, half-canine sidekick Barf attempt to save the damsel in distress, while also trying to escape from the ruthless loan-shark Pizza the Hut (voiced by Dom Deluise)–they owe the weasel a million dollars.
The escapees are on the Sands of Vegas and can’t be spotted. The lead military searcher for Spaceball is Colonel Sandurz (George Wyner). He uses the video of the completed movie that wasn’t completed to spot in the desert Barf, Dot Mix, Princess Vespa, and Captain Lone Star. To escape from their pursuers, they locate the magical Yogurt hidden in a dune. He possesses the power of the Schwartz, and gives Lone Star a ring to release the Schwartz when needed in his fight with his enemies.
‘May the Schwartz be with you’ is the film’s calling card. And you’ll need it to get through this schlocky film without feeling childish.
REVIEWED ON 3/13/2022 GRADE: C+