The Last Starfighter - very underrated!

Richard Dower

As a child i loved this movie, years on i appreciate it more from a technical standpoint, if Tron started the CGI revolution then TLS was the evolution of the technology.

It was this movie that really showcased what could be done with CGI, it was the first use of really detailed and textured effects/graphics, ships etc.

The movie itself and story/acting are pretty crap, but from a purely technical standpoint this was another step in the evolution of CGI, a year later Pixar would unleash the zenith of the tech in the form of the glass man in Young Sherlock Holmes.

I know Star Wars featured a 3D wireframe and before that Westworld, But true CGI really started with Tron and then Last Starfighter.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Last_Starfighter

The Last Starfighter, in addition to Disney's Tron, has the distinction of being one of cinema's earliest films to use extensive Computer-generated imagery (CGI) to depict its many starships, environments and battle scenes. This CGI technique, for the time, was a great leap into the future compared to contemporary films such as the previous year's Return of the Jedi, which still used static physical models shot by moving film cameras.

super_furry

Always been one of my favourites. I still haven't given up on getting a call-up from the Star League myself.

Phony Scott

Another brilliant performance from our own Dan O'Herlihy. Pretty much steals the show the moment he appears. The story seems pretty slapdash though. I like the theme tune which sticks with you.

Swampy

Amazing movie. Loved it. Must download it!!

Dozen Wicked Words

OOpppss, wrong film, got carried away with the cleavage!!!

Ty Phony Scott for pointing out my error!

Now to buy both films to relive the gloriousness of both

jaykhunter

one of my mates never stops banging on about this film (only whenever he takes a breath and says something about Predator and Dexter) and he went as far as to buy the bluray and give it to me. I promise i'll watch it at some point and report back!

Owen

Superb movie, one of my favourites from my childhood - and not many people know about it for some reason.

Phony Scott

dooferoaks wrote: »

I loved the spaceship with the cleavage, almost as much as its captain, again with a fine cleavage.

You're confusing this film with Battle Beyond the Stars.

godtabh

I have it on either blu ray or hd dvd. Brilliant film. Its a classic similar to Back to the Future.

constitutionus

i love this.

its one of my favourite "small" scifi films in that it has a great heart to it but focuses on generally one or two main charcters.

the script is great too.

its got a great hook in the arcade games purpose and the one liners are brilliant.

really captures what a kids adventure film should be IMO.

From what i can remember though its tough to get on DVD for some reason, generally only being available for region 1 so maybe thats why it doesnt seem to get that much love.

kinda reminds me of "the last dragon" in that regard.

agree about the theme tune too, legend !

Skerries

the storyline made no sense!
at the end there was only him versus loads of them and then he activates a "smart bomb"
why didn't the previous starfighters not use this?

Rented Mule

Skerries wrote: »

the storyline made no sense!
at the end there was only him versus loads of them and then he activates a "smart bomb"
why didn't the previous starfighters not use this?

....because Xur and the Kodan Armada slaughtered them before they had the chance.

Pay attention man !! lol

_Kaiser_

Rented Mule wrote: »

....because Xur and the Kodan Armada slaughtered them before they had the chance.

Pay attention man !! lol

It was also a prototype starfighter that was the only one to have that weapon... (yes I only watched it recently )