I first saw Spacehunter in 1983, when I was fifteen, and was so enthralled by the 3D gimmick that I didn't really care too much about the story - a good job since the premise is weak: a space adventurer Wolff (Peter Strauss) goes in search of three Earth women who have become stranded on a planet where they have been enslaved by a dictator, Overdog (Michael Ironside). The majority of the film sees Wolff overcoming various obstacles, accompanied by teenage waif Niki (Molly Ringwald) and old rival Washington (Ernie Hudson). There's not a lot of plot development to speak of.
However, what I didn't appreciate on my original viewing was the production design, which is very impressive (with a special mention for that wonderful Mad Max-style railroad ship contraption), and the stunning location work, the Moab desert in Utah lending itself perfectly to an alien landscape. The film also benefits from a rousing score by Elmer Bernstein, some fine special effects (the model FX are particularly well handled), and decent makeup (Michael Ironside is completely unrecognisable as Overdog). Unfortunately, Ringwald tends to grate with her shrill voice, and her character's use of future-slang soon gets tiresome.
As 80s sci-fi schlock goes, Spacehunter is passable entertainment, but I would really like to see it in 3D again, just to see Overdog's giant metal claws sticking out of the screen.
However, what I didn't appreciate on my original viewing was the production design, which is very impressive (with a special mention for that wonderful Mad Max-style railroad ship contraption), and the stunning location work, the Moab desert in Utah lending itself perfectly to an alien landscape. The film also benefits from a rousing score by Elmer Bernstein, some fine special effects (the model FX are particularly well handled), and decent makeup (Michael Ironside is completely unrecognisable as Overdog). Unfortunately, Ringwald tends to grate with her shrill voice, and her character's use of future-slang soon gets tiresome.
As 80s sci-fi schlock goes, Spacehunter is passable entertainment, but I would really like to see it in 3D again, just to see Overdog's giant metal claws sticking out of the screen.