Review of Battle Beyond the Stars (1980) by Darren J — 15 Oct 2007

What starts out as a simple low budget Seven Samurai meets Star Wars movie becomes, through numerous random elements a fantastic B movie which beats out most sci-fi fare offered in the last 27 years. John Sayles' screenplay takes a basic sci-fi premise and through an exploration of attitudes to death creates something richer and deeper.

James Horners music which is still one of my favorite themes, elevates the film to almost A list. Awesome ships bursting with personality (and boobs in the case of Nell) designed by James Cameron, which have been featured as stock footage in numerous other movies.

And last but not least the cast, all give 100% even if some fail to inspire like Darlanne Fluegel as the love interest. Outstanding performances by George Peppard, bringing a deeper soulful performance to Space Cowboy, Robert Vaughan as the tormented mercenary, John Saxon chewing every piece of scenery in sight as Sador, a man fighting death at the expense of the universe around him and Richard Thomas bringing his John Boy Walton innocence to the main character.

I cannot rate this movie highly enough.