Review of Battle Beyond the Stars (1980) by Joe A — 03 Mar 2012
Battle was legendary producer Roger Corman's answer to Star Wars but, it's actually a remake of Seven Samurai set in space, even naming the home planet "Akir" after director Akira Kurosawa. This cult classic is silly, cheesy and the pacing is a bit off but, it has something Lucas' later prequels didn't...heart. Battle is a little movie that tries hard and at the same time is having fun doing it and viewed with the right frame of mind... and right type of beverage... Battle can be a lot of fun. Corman assembled an interesting cast for his biggest production, Walton's star Richard Thomas, veteran actors George Peppard and Robert Vaughn and genre favorite John Saxon. Art direction and production design on Battle was by a then unknown James Cameron. And the music score was by now mega composer, James Horner. Corman has introduced countless talents behind and in front of the camera through his low budget classics and Battle Beyond The Stars is no different. Fun as only Roger Corman could present and the type of film that they don't make any more. Another film I was fortunate enough to see at the legendary Oritani theater in Hackensack.
EXTRA TRIVIA... can you spot future Star Trek:TNG star Brent Spiner in a small role?
This review of Battle Beyond the Stars (1980) was written by Joe A on 03 Mar 2012.
Battle Beyond the Stars has generally received mixed reviews.
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