Rating: 
Summary: Excellent, Fun Adventure!!
Review: This film is just all around fun and enjoyable. I highly recommend this DVD version. The "Making Of" documentry is very imformative which gives you real insight to the technology used in making it.
Rating: 
Summary: Love, the stars and computer graphics
Review: The Last Starfighter a movie by director Nick Castle (Major Payne). It is a story about Alex Rogan (Lance Guest) who dreams of a better life outside the humble trailer park in which he lives. Breaking the record on an innocent looking video game, which take him on an adventure well outside the confines of the trailer park.This movie should go down in history as being the first movie to start using complex computer generated graphics. Tron, which was the first movie to use computer animation, The Last Starfighter takes one step further by using more than simple vector animation. The actors choosen for the role were superbly cast. Lance Guest as Alex Rogan, Dan O'Herlihy as Grig and Robert Preston as Centauri. Each actor cast stamped their style to the character. In Robert Preston's last feature presentation it was a intergalactic reprise of his character in the Music Man in which Preston stamps his style to his role and to the movie. Nick Castle did a superb job in capturing the humble life of the trailer park and the complex war torn planet of Rylos. Along with Production Designer Ron Cobb the created not only an entertaining story about a boy and his dreams but showing detail well beyond what was available at the time. The DVD version of this movie definitely does it justice, with a remixed soundtrack, now in Dolby™ Digital 5.1. The soundtrack isn't a complete remix as many of the scenes that used to use Dolby Surround still give this ambient quality to it, there is the superior clarity that the digital track offers and music wonderfully scored by Craig Safan also has been remixed nicely in Dolby™ Digital. Picture Quality is possibly the best I have seen for this movie. But still contains many of the flaws that were possibly present in the source for remastering. With the DVD version the computer generated scenes have never looked better. This is my favourite movie of all time, I enjoy all aspects of the movie and admire the work that Nick Castle and Ron Cobb put into this movie.
Rating:
Summary: Science Fiction and Fantasy Epic!
Review: This is probably the best science fiction film other than the "Star Wars" and "Star Trek" films. Its mixture of a sci-fi action and fantasy-like happenings makes it a masterpiece. Let's face it. Who else could've come up with the idea of a youn man playing a game, breaking the record, and then being taken to a place where the game's fiction is reality? It was an original idea. The game was actually a sort of training system, used to find someone with the talent to use a real spacecraft. Nick Castle is a great director. Lance Guest (who was also in "Jaws: The Revenge") is a talented actor. The plot, the storyline, and Craig Safan's score, make this a film that is suredly a big hit with the fans of cult science fiction epics. They should make a sequel. The sequel would make a good amount of money. I guarantee it.
Rating:
Summary: A DVD review
Review: A DVD that I have in my collection mainly because I like sci-fi and for historical reasons; first major use of CGI. The plot is a little over used and definitely geared to a younger crowd. I remember enjoying it as a teenager. The picture quality wasn't as good as 'Widescreen review' says. The compression artifacts were very apparent in some scenes but these were short non-action scenes. The documentary was good hosted by Lance Guest and mainly deals with the CGI aspect of the film. The commentary was adequate and gave some interesting info on working with the actors. The production photos were just character shots, even more boring than usual. Overall, a good DVD to have in your collection especially if you're interested in the history of CGI in filmmaking.
Rating:
Summary: Fun, light entertainment for the sci-fi fan
Review: If you need a pick-me-up after watching Blade Runner or Aliens, this film is definitely for you. In this fun film (no one could mistake this for a "serious work of science fiction"), Alex Rogan is the prototypical small-town young man with big dreams for his future - which fall down flat. Doomed to a life in a trailer park in the sticks, he seeks escape in an arcade game (remember those?) Without giving away too much of the film for those who might not have seen it, his gaming expertise lands him a *very* big opportunity. Lance Guest is very engaging in the role of Alex; we can feel his frustration - almost despair - as he faces a bleak future doing odd jobs in the trailer park. Later in the film, when we see him offered the chance to be more than he is, to become what he is capable of being, and to take on what seems to be an impossible task, we can see his transformation into a genuine hero - capable yet modest, and a man who really cares about what's important and is willing to do something about it. Dan O'Herlihy - completely unrecognizeable under makeup - is good as the character Grig - though the part was a bit shallow for an actor of his talent. The shining star of the movie, though, is the late Robert Preston as Centauri. He plays the role with the same charm he exhibited in The Music Man; indeed, the character is loaded with the same combination of boyish enthusiasm and even suave huckster-ism as Prof. Harold Hill. This film is worth the price just to see his performance. When it comes to a sci-fi film, most folks these days expect to see Computer Generated Imagery - and plenty of it. This film is the first in which CGI was used for *all* the special effects in a feature film (Tron used bits and pieces here and there; Young Sherlock Holmes had one scene). The technical accomplishment, even given what we're used to seeing these days, is truly astounding. The film does have a couple of weaknesses. The villains aren't really well developed - in fact, carboard cutouts may as well have been used, for all the depth these characters display. Some of the plot devices are pretty ludicrous as well, and some of the minor characters do odd things for no readily explainable reason. Oh, well. To end on a positive note, however, I ought to add that some of the minor characters - particularly the denizens of the trailer park - are quite well done. Catherine Mary Stewart (Maggie), Barbara Bosson (Alex's mom), and Vernon Washingtomn (Otis) provide a very human aspect to the film. Alex's little brother Louis is amusing in a bratty way, and provides the single best line of the entire movie, the last line: "Wo-ow!" So, I recommend this flick as a fun film, not requiring a lot of thought or phillosophical reflection. Pop some corn, sit down, and enjoy.
Rating: 
Summary: That was some stupid garbage.
Review: You know I loved the movie when it was released in 1977 under the title "Star Wars". The only difference being that not only was the movie ridiculously corny, the special effects terrible (back in 1984 CGI wasn't advanced enough for the artists to execute the battle scenes completely with computer animation) but the film didn't flow. For example; the film didn't bother to explain how that video machine had just happened to be there for no apparent reason without even the United States government being in on the aliens mission to recruit new human members to join their starfleet. Nobody expected that alien to pick up that kid in that spaceship, that kid who was stupid enough to hop into a car of some complete stranger that he knew absolutely nothing about. The director might as well have thrown in Bugs Bunny for a cameo appearance for that film, as well as a musical number.
Rating:
Summary: My favorite movie of all time!
Review: This is my favorite movie! I saw it in the theaters first, when I was about 10 years old. I must agree with the two reviewers who said 1) that this was a good kids' movie, and 2) that it has a feel-good plot. I can vouch for the truth of both these statements; as a matter of fact, I was practically bouncing off the walls with euphoria after I first saw this thing! Definitely a must-see for people who love to see the good guys win out! Kudos, Nick Castle!
Rating:
Summary: Right under the StarWars Trilogy!
Review: Probably the most fun sci-fi besides the StarWars movies. It's got cool effects, realistic creature designs, and an awesome soundtrack! The cast gives a innocent and great performance. Even though i watched it a ton of times as a kid, it's still just as fun now, just gotta love those "Dream to be a hero" flicks." I always wished there would be a sequel to this film...oh well. Alex Rogan (lead character): "Back to bed Lewis or i'll tell mom about your playboys!" Besides the great action, it's got humour too! A very inspirational movie, watch it!
Rating:
Summary: A must have, but it can wait
Review: If you are a big Sci Fi fan but can only afford one or two DVD's a month (like me), you might want to put this on your "later" list. Dont getta me wrongo, this dvd is great, the plot (a young guy called in for a mission in another galaxy, thanks to his arcade gaming skills) is a solid story that develops nicely throughout the film, the special effects were ahead of its time and the acting is pretty solid. The thing here is you might find the story too much for children - they're going to love it - if you set your expectations too high. If you're looking for a fun movie, this is a good choice, if you want "serious" Sic Fi, you might want to look at other options like "2001" or "Silent Running".
Rating:
Summary: For no other reason than to feel darn good!
Review: This movie is definately not an Oscar winner. It is not going to win any script competition. It does not have awe inspiring graphics. It does not have Super Incredible battle scenes. BUT... What it does have is one heck of a feel good plot and the excitement one feels as a child all packaged up in a great time. This is a popcorn and Coke movie. A movie I watch over and over again and have owned on VHS, LD and now on DVD. The soundtrack by Craig Safan has one of the best opening themes ever and carries on through the movie with a spirit one comes to find addicting. This is a movie for people with imagination. It is for anyone who dreamed they could be great heros and do daring deeds. It definately gets the 5 stars as a movie I can always toss in the DVD and feel great afterwards. Thanks Jim
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