Rating: 
Summary: I seem to remember this being better when I was 15
Review: When I picked up The Black Hole recently, I was very excited. I remembered enjoying this movie very much when it first came out. After watching this movie now with my 11 year old son, I couldn't help but scratch my head and wonder what exactly I liked about it. The special effects, for its time, are very good. The bad robot was creepy and the story, overall, was interesting if not overly predictable.What bothers me about this movie is the complete lack of originality, except for the last few minutes. Cute little robots, one with a cowboy accent (built in Texas of course), large android-like soldiers (bad of course), all steal (not borrow) from Star Wars. Disney had such a chance to make a unique film, especially with the money they spent, and instead made an overtly derivative film with uninteresting and equally derivative characters. There are some redeeming qualities - the concept behind the crew of the derelict ship, with their mirrored faces, and who they really are, the fine acting by Schell, but even his role was every old-scientist-gone-mad-on-deserted-planet character from 50's B-movies. The ending (last 5 minutes ONLY) was clever, but HOW they ended up there was just more unbelievable plot turns. In general I love movies, and give them leniency when I can, but I can't with this one. As far as my 11-year old, in his words "It was OK, I guess." Pretty damning something that lackluster from someone his age.
Rating: 
Summary: Unusual entertaining film from Disney !
Review: When a U.S. Space Expediton Crew (Robert Forster, Anthony Perkins, Yvette Mimieux. Joseph Bottoms & Ernest Borgnine) find a Spaceship have been missing for Twenty Years with a Long-Lost Madman (Oscar-Winner:Maximilian Schell) but Once they find Him, they ended up exploring a Black Hole. Directed by Gary Nelson (Freaky Friday) made a flawed but extremely entertaining Space Adventure. The Story may be thin for Some Viewers but the film has Teffific Visual Effects (Which it was Nominated for Best Visual Effects & Best Cinematography). DVD's has an strong non-anamorphic Widescreen (2.25:1) transfer (Also in Pan & Scan) and an digitally remastered-Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound. One of the Highlights of the film is the One of a Kind Ending. This is Quite a Chance for Walt Disney Pictures. Disney's First PG Rating. Well Done. Technovision. Grade:A-.
Rating: 
Summary: Just turn off your mind and enjoy the ride into nowhere!
Review: I just picked up the DVD and watched it for the first time since the mid 80's when it was on VHS. Disney really had a chance to make a great movie that could have appealed to science fiction fans and have a blockbuster hit. They had a great concept, plot, a good enough cast, and excellent SFX and lots of cash to spend (20+ Million) but they blew it on the execution because they had to make it safe and freindly for the little kids and protect the Disney family name. Had this movie came out in the 50's or early 60's it would have become a classic Sci-Fi film, but in 1979 it looked horribly dated even with state of the art effects and brilliant set design - the film's sole saving grace and what die-hard movie fans of this genre should watch this movie for. The dialog is cornball, the acting is cardboard and hammy, and the robots are right out of DisneyLand - silly (but fun), whoever came up with their trashcan designs proably worked at Hanna-Barbera or Fisher-Price and should have been canned. At least they is they are voiced by two great actors (Roddy McDowell and Slim Pickens) and arent nearly as annoying as Jar Jar Binks! And another thing - after 20 years the hell/heven ending still doesnt make a lot of sense. The movie makes no real explanation about what the Black Hole is. (then again who knows what the heck it is?!) Still, if you're a fan of cheesy Sci-Fi or have memories of watching it when you were a kid I say go rent/buy the DVD - the transfer is sharp (but not as sharp as it could have been - This movie BEGS for a high quality collectors package like TRON), sound quality is great and you can even see the piano wires holding up the robot Vincent! Just turn your mind off and enjoy the ride.
Rating:
Summary: Dated, but decent.
Review: Ok so THE BLACK HOLE is not STAR WARS, but it is still a decent flick if you are not in a particularly picky mood. It has its moments-some of them wonderful-including some great effects for the time (and for Disney). The dialog is a bit of a clunker, some of the jokes are terrible, but I've heard MUCH worse. I always enjoy Max Schell-a great actor. The rest of the crew is (literally) expendable. I'll never be able to believe Anthony Hopkins going into space. That's too much of a stretch for me! However, the sets for the film are fairly convincing and certainly fun. This film is meant to be a grand adventure. I think some detractors need to loosen their belts a bit and just...r-e-l-a-x. The DVD transfer is quite good and clean. The sound is nothing to brag about. Neither are the extras for that matter. But so what. This is a nice diversion for a couple of hours.
Rating:
Summary: Looks like it was made in 1969
Review: After watching this one on TV recently I came away thinking I had found the source of George Lucas' inspiration for Star Wars: the stormtroopers, R2D2, and even the theme song of Star Wars appear in this hokey film. I am now astounded to see that it followed Star Wars. Made in 1979? Unbelieveable! I thought it was dopey but attributed that to its "age," but now realize that Disney should never have released this dog.
Rating:
Summary: The Black Hole...Wannabe Space Opra
Review: Disney's THE BLACK HOLE was it's first entry into the sci-fi genre in 1979. It is basically a thinly veiled 20,000 LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA space opra. The special effects and art direction for its time are very impressive. However, the story and script is slow and meandering with part of the ending a little vague borrowing from a certain Stanley Kubrik sci-fi classic and leaving the audience to ponder. A group of space scientists/ explorers (with a hovering cute little robot named Vincent) discover a black hole and a mystery ship hovering at its outer rim. They investigate and find out it's helmed by a mad scientist (Maximilian Schell) with a robot "henchman" Maximillian, and an army of android drones who may or may not be human. Then, the scientists discover that he wants to venture into the black hole etc. On the big screen, it worked okay. On the small screen network broadcasts with commercial interruptions, editing, and pan and scan it breaks down considerably. Now on DVD with widescreen, it works a little better. The cast is top notch with Robert Forster(JACKIE BROWN, ALLIGATOR), the beautiful Yvette Mimieux (HIT LADY), Anthony Perkins (PSYCHO), Ernest Borgnine, and the voices of Roddy McDowell (PLANET OF THE APES) for "Vincent" the robot, and Slim Pickens (1941, DR STRANGELOVE) for "Bob" the robot. Somewhat entertaining for the visuals, but somehat lacking in popcorn action and script.
Rating:
Summary: A SFX classic that needs a proper DVD treatment
Review: After the success of Star Wars and Star Trek: The Motion Picture, many studios were clamoring for movies that dealt with this re-energized genre of space operas. With many live action classic romps under its belt including 20,000 Under The Sea, who better than Disney to bring a great tale to a family audience. Enter 'The Black Hole', Disney's 1979 entrance to Sci-Fi. I remember watching this as a boy when it hit the theatre and was excited to get the DVD, mostly for nostalgia reasons, and re-living what I consider a great 'story'. But after watching this DVD I had mixed emotions. On the pro side, I was thrilled to take part in viewing this once again, and was reminded why The Black Hole stuck with me all these years, even after other more popular and big-budgeted action space action thrillers came and went (ex: Krull, Battle Beyond the Stars)...it was the story. Sure there was some flat dialogue, and some plot struggles, but overall it was a pure space fantasy movie. A small group of explorers and their sidekick robot, Vincent (Disney's hybrid version of R2-D2 and C-3PO), are on an exploratory mission of uncharted space when they discover a black hole. Upon investigation they discover the USS Cygnus, a very large space carrier thought to have been lost many years ago along with its crew. Our explorers soon discover that the Cygnus is still inhabited after all these years, by a lone surviving scientist and his very imposing robot, Maximillian (painted devil red). Other robots and faceless androids are on board, and soon our explorers uncover a more sinister plot. Our lone scientist has gone slightly mad, will not let our explorers leave the ship, the crew never abandoned ship as first explained, and now our scientist wants to take the Cygnus through the black hole to the other side, perhaps to become a god himself. Throughout the story, we are given clues to what is really happening, and the surprise revelations towards the climax are reminiscent of what Rod Serling may have wrote. All in all a good family adventure, without too much violence (it is implied however,...this is Disney), no swearing, nice large sets and a good diversity of characters. The cons: Even after the success of Star Wars and Star Trek, it seems Disney rushed this movie to completion with little money spent on special effects. Though the movie was made in '79, it looks as if it was made way before Star Wars or Trek just on the camp value alone. At times it reminded me of the 60's TV series Lost in Space, or the original Disney 20,000 Leagues. Also, it is quite apparent that the lasers are pure animation as are their affects, some of the sets though large look cheap, lighting and fog machines are used in situations that are kinda atrocious, and probably my biggest complaint: you can SEE all the wires holding the robots in just about every scene. That in itself is unforgivable given the fact other movies at that time and movie making techniques were advanced enough to hide them. I do not believe the transfer was re-mastered. Throughout the movie there is noticeable frame flecks and graininess at times. The sound does not appear to be enhanced either so I'd say the over all quality is no better than the original VHS release. There are also virtually no extras: 1 theatrical trailer and a very boring picture gallery. All this gallery contains is scanned production shots and numerous variations of release posters. Nothing too much to really wow the viewer. Considering this is sorta a cult classic film some interviews or production notes are a no-brainer, but sadly not included. Hate to sound too negative here, but it is a must for your collection if you enjoy good science fiction stories and can safely share this with you family.
Rating: 
Summary: Is it over yet?
Review: YAWN! Not even the special effects can save this poorly written movie about a missing ship in outer space. Wooden dialogue (and acting) by Schell sinks the movie. The music is good but gets kinda annoying after awhile. Rated ZZZZ.
Rating:
Summary: Great Sci-Fi
Review: An excellent sci-fi flick with one bad kick-butt robot. Has Disney finally come to their senses by releasing this movie in it's OAR? Let's hope the trend continues.
Rating:
Summary: The time I spent watching....
Review: ..was forever sucked into a Black Hole, never to return! ArrrRRrr! This movie is Cheese pure and simple. Disney kitsch. A 1979 flop that is trying to be a more kid friendly "Star Wars" and failed miserable. But it achieves the strange paradoxical effect that sometimes happens with really bad movies; it's so bad it's kind of charming and amusing. But anyways, what makes it bad...The dialogue is awful, the acting is stiff, the costumes are ridiculous, the musical score is terrible, alternating between overwhelmingly bombastic and completly inappropiate. Listen close during the big battle scene near the end and the score and mood that the music conveys is way out of whack with what is happening on the screen. Imagine playing Tchaikovsky's "Nutcracker Suite" during the shower scene in "Psycho"....doesn't work. Well, neither does this. And the ending...The ending is this weird, discombulated, surreal attempt at symbolism. What type of symbolism? I'm not sure. Symbolic of a screenplay gone awry maybe or a director who went cookoo, or a writer who quit before the story was finished. The viewer is left with an image of Maximillian the psycopathic monster merging with the mad mastermind, Dr. Hans Reinhart, just before somehow standng on a big mountian that somehow grew on the edge of the swirling black hole. The monster robot and the scientist become one, Hmmm Freudian? Was Maximillian supposed to represent Dr. Reinhart's "Id"? Or was it supposed to represent the cheesy space opreas of the 50's merging with the bad outfits from the 70's and tumbling into the dark chasm of bad movies. Never to return...until video, of course.
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