Rating: 
Summary: Goofy but Affectionate Escapism
Review: "Flash Gordon" has more in common with 1968's "Barbarella" than the comic strip hero of the same name, but still manages to deliver many of the goods expected of campy adult fantasy. Sam Jones is a dopey version of Buster Crabbe's dashing serial hero--fittingly, an over-hormoned football star with a heart that works faster than his brain. Lovely Melody Anderson embodies Dale Arden as a spunky 1930's girl-next-door transplated into the plastic, "modern" 1980s, while sultry Ornella Muti, as Princess Aura, is every adolescent boy's imagining of sex. International stars Topol and Max Von Sydow chew up the scenery as astrophysicist Zarkhov and evil Emperor Ming, respectively, and Peter Wyngarde and ex-James Bond Timothy Dalton do dark turns in secondary roles. The story, laced with PG-rated violence and sexual innuendo, is a tongue-in-cheek rehash of the serials, as Ming ravages Earth until our intrepid heroes rocket to his kingdom to set things straight. This time, they find worlds created with the most elaborate visual effects of the day, some convincing, many not, but all strangely beautiful. If you liked the original, you'll see that most of the swipes are gentle and that as juvenile as the script is, the movie is really aimed at grown-ups. A spirited performance by British TV veteran Brian Blessed and a thumping soundtrack by rock supergroup Queen help make this one memorable.
Rating: 
Summary: Wonderful Escapism
Review: If you want to add Flash Gordon to your movie collection be sure to buy the widescreen DVD. I only saw this recently and was amazed at how much action is chopped off at the sides of the frame in the regular full screen video version.Sure the movie is cheesy and the special effects seem weak by todays standards but in 1980 it was very cool and I loved it enough to see if more than once at the theater. People criticise the acting but for me that is part of what makes this movie so enjoyable. Nobody is taking it too seriously and tongues are firmly planted in cheek throughout. Sam Jones in my opinion is great in the lead. And if you dont like his acting...you have to admit he's extremely pleasing on the eye, especially during the 'execution' scenes ! The sets are colorful and imaginative and if you are looking for some escapist fun, this is the movie for you. Lets hope that Universal have this movie in mind for a 20th anniversary re-release in 2000 with extra features on an enhanced DVD.
Rating:
Summary: Classic filmaking
Review: It's ia classic right up there with Star Wars. The acting isn't all that great but, it deserves credit for great scenery and costumes. It is definitely worth buying.
Rating: 
Summary: Flash-Back
Review: FLASH GORDON is a hoot. I'd forgotten how hilarious the script was. There are some great lines in the film. It is also sexy, with some great-looking actors in tight-fitting clothes. And it actually captures the fun, movie serial mood of the old FLASH films. There's an excitement in seeing those rocket ships flying from moon to moon on Mongo. On the whole, though, the film is a bit cheesy. Of course, that's the appeal of it, too. It's 1980's special effects look more like they're from the 1960's! The costumes are glittery, gold, and shiny with tight, hot pants on everyone from Flash to Aura (Ming's daughter). And some of the sets rival the celephane corn stalks and plastic Munchkinland flowers from THE WIZARD OF OZ (although I am particularly fond of the Arboria sets...) Technically, I was disappointed with the DVD film transfer. Right from the opening credits the film looks VERY grainy. Granted, it is nice to see FLASH in widescreen. However, it's hard to tell if all the special effects blue screen shots simply look grainy or if this is a problem with the film transfer. I can point out a scene in the dungeon where the hour glass (with sand pouring "up") is in the foreground and a prisoner appears in the dark background ... the black looks terrible and grainy. Surely the film transfer is to fault here? This film couldn't have been photographed that badly. Also, there are no extras whatsoever. All we get is a scene menu. I have problems with paying for a DVD in the $20-24 range that has no extras and such a bad quality film transfer. Come on, guys! FLASH could be fun in full, vivid, crisp color. That's one thing it's got going for it: the comic book colors and production design.
Rating:
Summary: Great, tacky early 80s fun!
Review: I love this movie, after following the cartoon when I was a kid, I was exicted when I heard there was a film, I love this film from beginning to finish. Everyhthing from the elaborate skys to the perfect cast to the Queen soundtrack. Max von Sydow is fantastic as Emperor Ming and relishes every moment. Sam J. Jones is good fun as the reluctent hero and Ornella Muti and Melody Anderson do well as his love interests. Brian Blessed is great as Prince Voltan and all in all it's a good film. To break it down Ming starts to test out Earth with natural disasters,and comes to the conclusion that Earthis a threat and decides to destroy it. Dr Zarkov (Topal at one of his best) discovers this and kidnaps Dale Arden and Flash Gordon and goes on a space trip to the planet Mongo. As you can expect they aren't accepted all that well and Dale is chosen as Ming's new bride, Flash is exuected, but brought back to life by Aura, Ming's sexually procovitive daughter. Then what follows is Flash trying to unite the neighbouring fighting planets against Ming. A great camp film to watch and enjoy
Rating:
Summary: At last ,widescreen, and DVD pic and sound
Review: I've had a full screen VHS version of this movie for years and was resigned to Uenichversal never releasing it on DVD. I don't understand what gets released on DVD and what doesn't. I can get Cannibal Apocalypse and 20 different versions of Night of the Living Dead or Evil Dead 1 but not Flash Gordon, which actually with it's amazing sets and costumes and incredible music screams to be put on DVD!! Well thank the great god Daizan that other countries have this classic on DVD and we get to watch it anyway! I literally felt like I was watching it for the first time when I popped in the disc and cranked up the stereo. I know a lot of people have had this movie grow on them in the last 20 years but I loved it at the age of 10 when I saw it in the theatre and I've always loved it. Max Von Sydow completely owns the role of Ming and plays one of the best villain performances of all time. What I love so much is that even with the weakest components being the lead actors in the title role and role of Dale Arden it plain just doesn't matter. The movie is so rich in visual splendor and the supporting roles are so well played with gusto that it truly becomes an ensemble movie. And, if you don't think this movie kicks ass when the Hawkmen attack War Rocket Ajax and those huge Brian May power cords kick in then you might as well make the final reservation at Sleepy Willow village in Florida right now!!.
Rating:
Summary: FLASH is Fun
Review: When I got cable in the mid-80's I must have watched this film 100 times. It was interesting to see it again on DVD. It is still a FUN movie. The tone of the film is campy and adventurous. I think it captures the fun of the old serials very well -- i.e. Flash seems doomed, only to escape to another tight squeeze! The production design on FLASH GORDON is colorful and bold. Everything is bright and shiny (including the lycra hot pants on Princess Aura!). The sets are HUGE (example: The Hawk Men's floating fortress). I am particularly fond of the Arboria sets -- nice and woodsey! I think the performances from the actors fit the tone of the film. Melody Anderson as Dale is the best. "Go, Flash, go!" is a hilarious scene. Sam Jones is sufficiently hunky and athletic as Flash. And the Brits add a dash of class and fun (Timothy Dalton and Brian Blessed). Ornella Muti as Princess Aura has the best role: she changes from vixen to heroine and gets to vamp around in colorful, sexy costumes. The rocket ships and sky effects are my favorite part of the film as well. There's something exciting about seeing FLASH GORDON rocket ships flying through the air. The DVD quality is OK. I think the picture transfer could have been better -- I know this film has a lot of blue screen work, but surely it's not THAT grainy! And I wish there were more extras -- just a chapter index.
Rating:
Summary: Non stop action
Review: This is not your highest quality script or acting but so what, who cares, it is never boring. The movies is fast action from start to finish and the special effects are pretty dam good for 1980. Furthermore, the costumes and sets are like no other sci-fi movie ever, and the Queen soundtrack is awesome. Plus the princess Aura chick is super hot. So if you like sci-fi movies and haven't seen it, you got to check it out.
Rating:
Summary: Long Live Flash!
Review: This movie of 1980 is a definite classic and has 5-STARS written all over it. The effects are excellent, the costumes are great and the screenplay is outstanding and don't forget the phenomenal soundtrack provided by Queen. The actors in this movie did an excellent job of making the comic book come to the big screens. Sam J. Jones played the famous and everlasting Flash Gordon and did a great job and he definately deserves a round of applause. The movie starts out in space and you see the evil Emporer Ming (Max von Sydow) causing all kinds of weather mishaps to occur such as Hot Hail, Typhoon, Hurricane, Earthquakes, etc. Then you hear Ming's right hand man Klytus (Peter Wyngarde) asking the Ming, "Will you destroy this earth?" Ming says evily, "Later. I like to play with things awhile....BEFORE ANNIHILATION! Ha, Ha, Ha!" That right there tells what the movie is going to be about. Now we go down to Earth and meet Flash (Jones) at the Airport waiting for his plane to arrive and joining him in the flight is lovely travel agent Dale Arden (Melody Anderson). When they go into flight, Ming starts causing more mayhem on earth. He starts an evil eclipse of some sort and then we meet Dr. Hans Zarkov (Topol), a former NASA scientist who has been claiming there will be an attack on the earth and now he realizes it's coming. So while Flash and Dale are still in the air in the middle of this eclipse, the pilots dissapear and now Flash and Dale land the plane right at Zarkov's house. So the three of them go into space in Zarkov's rocketship and land on the planet Mongo. Now all three of them meet the evil Emporer Ming and Flash now realizes he has to stop him and save the Earth. So as the movie goes by, Flash gets the people of Mongo to team-up with him and overthrow Ming and kill him. The people that team up with him are Prince Barin (Timothy Dalton) and Prince Vultan (Brian Blessed) and his Hawkmen. So together they all start to take over by defeating the Imperial Fleet on the rocket Ajax. Now Flash flies the plane straight into Ming's palace and ends us killing him. The way he kills him is interesting. This is the perfect movies for anyone he likes space movies. The storyline is great and the special effects are outstanding, especially for 1980 before the computers came out. The movie is a must buy. LONG LIVE FLASH!
Rating:
Summary: Frash Wawa -- He saved every one of us!
Review: The Queen soundtrack is the best thing about the movie, but it has its charms. Sam Jones is hopelessly miscast, but a great Ming can make up for a lot. Infinitely better than the tv series, not as good as the Buster Crabbe serials. The best Flash Gordon is in the comic strips, of course, many of which are now in print, especially the Alex Raymond originals and the great Harry Harrison and Dan Barry stories running in Comics Revue Monthly. There was also a pretty good animated Flash Gordon tv series.
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