Review of Outland (1981) by Dave H — 26 Aug 2010
How violent is this film? They explode John Ratzenberger's (Cliff from "Cheers") head inside a space helmet in the first 10 minutes. With some startling resemblances to "High Noon" but in space, Sean Connery plays a marshall assigned to clean up the giant size science fiction model of the mining colony of Io and its corrupt manager played by "Puttin' on the Ritz" Peter Boyle.
As things begin to escalate, a few plot holes the size of Uranus emerge, but with these two main actors and amazingly well put together special effects "Outland" manages to thud through some bad dialog and keep our attention.
Sure there are certain limitations to the film in the technologies it utilizes, but overall it's a highly underrated production and a fairly credible waste of your time if you like, hard core science fiction that's somewhat worthy of a cult following or gets you credo in those circles.
It's not "Aliens" but it sure is up there with the best production of that time and how can you not like badass, wife slapping Sean Connery? 2.85 stars.
This review of Outland (1981) was written by Dave H on 26 Aug 2010.
Outland has generally received mixed reviews.
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