Review of Flash Gordon (1980) by Filipeneto — 13 Apr 2018

Flash Gordon is a paradoxical film: its highly popular, despite being a movie without any quality. The script borders on the absurd, based on the trip of a American football star to planet Mongo, where he have to fight the perfidious Emperor Ming. There, he can count on the help of the tyrant's daughter, her lover and a local chief, Vultan. Basically, forget all that's logical, this film is pure entertainment and fantasy.

The cast is headed by Sam J. Jones, who gives life to the muscular hero, Flash. His antagonist, Emperor Ming the Merciless, is embodied by Max von Sydow. Melody Anderson lends his body to Dale Arden, Haim Topol plays the mad scientist Dr. Zarkov, Ornella Muti gives life to Aura, the sexy daughter of the emperor and Timothy Dalton (yes, the future Mr. Bond No. 4 in person) gave life the Barin, her lover. Most of the cast did very unhappy and really bad performances. The dialogues are ridiculous to the point of making us laugh. Max von Sydow, undoubtedly the best actor of the cast, is the exception. He made a very good, regular and appropriate performance, given the circumstances and the ridiculous character who fell to interpret, which is only a caricature of a Chinese emperor.

Finally, one word for the special effects, absolutely pathetic. Not for a moment seem realistic. I think maybe the intention was never to give them realism. The scenarios are so great that seem absurd and so does the costumes. "Men with wings" are the most ridiculous things I've ever seen on film to date. The best of this film is undoubtedly the original soundtrack, played by Queen, still relying on the legendary Freddy Mercury.

So, anyone can think: how can this Z movie has so many followers? I think that, for these people, quality does not matter. What matters is the film is fun and works, basically, like a comedy. And this allow it a space in the history of cinema.