RETRO MOVIE REVIEW: Spaceballs

From the outset, I will admit that Spaceballs occupies a certain place in my heart. This SF parody film is a nostalgic film from my childhood years, and because of that, one has to look at this movie from a certain critical distance. At the same time, this is a movie that was a departure from the usual fare for Mel Brooks. Up to this point, Brooks was known for making comedic films spoofing other genres, like Universal-style classic horror (Young Frankenstein), Westerns (Blazing Saddles) or historical films (History of the World, Part 1). With Spaceballs, Brooks made his one and only foray into SF, with the idea of spoofing the original Star Wars trilogy, which had only recently concluded by the time the film came out.

However, what started off as a Star Wars parody evolved into a spoof of cinematic science fiction in general, throwing winks and nods at numerous classic films. Because of this, Spaceballs turns into something much more imaginative, even in comparison to later Star Wars films. The character archetypes are similar, echoing classic characters like Han Solo, Princess Leia, and Darth Vader. However, by establishing the villains as an evil corporate world trying to steal the air from the planets it conquers, it works as both a mockery of 1980’s excess and a commentary on the Galactic Empire. At the same time, the world of Spaceballs borrows elements and pokes fun at SF classics like Star Trek, Aliens, and Planet of the Apes, while not seeming too much like any of these. The film also poked fun at the merchandising juggernauts that franchises like Star Wars became. The comedy is sexually suggestive while still being kid-friendly, a very difficult balance to achieve; at the same time, this makes the movie grow with age and take on new meanings into adulthood. The Schwartz (Brooks’ take on The Force) becomes a metaphor for sexual potency, something that makes the jokes even funnier when this is recognized. At the same time, the movie doesn’t always keep its head in the gutter, making real, meaningful points about serious issues through the language of comedy. Spaceballs is a well-balanced film, featuring likeable characters built on well-known archetypes, jokes that are accessible to children and adults alike, and a story that is both parody and a distinctive SF story on its own merits.

The cast has also become more impressive over time, featuring both well-known 80’s stars and actors who would rise to prominence in later years. Bill Pullman had only made his film debut a year before, but he is perhaps best known for Spaceballs and his role as a Bill Clinton-inspired President character in Independence Day. Pullman has real charm and swagger, and he’s convincing as the brash Han Solo style rogue, Lone Starr. Brooks made use of two classic Canadian comedy stars to great effect here—John Candy, who played the Chewbacca-like alien Barf, and Rick Moranis as Dark Helmet, the Vader spoof of the film. Candy brings a deep warmth and friendliness as the hero’s sidekick, and his natural comedic presence anchors the main group. Moranis is a hilariously wonderful villain and a great contrast to the menacing Dark Lord image, especially to those who mainly know him as Louis Tully in Ghostbusters. Daphne Zuniga was another relative unknown at the time, but she played up the spoiled regal arrogance of Princess Vespa extremely well. The romantic chemistry between Pullman and Zuniga sparkles on screen, and they are a joy to see interact, especially when they’re in conflict. Brooks himself shines in two roles on screen, both as the blustering, blundering President Skroob and as the wise Schwartz master Yogurt (an obvious parody of Yoda). Joan Rivers provides the voice of the robot maid Dot Matrix, a consistently entertaining character in this film. Even the minor performers in this film are often memorable and fun to watch. Michael Winslow, a veteran of the Police Academy series, lends his considerable vocal talents as the radio operator on the Spaceball One. Dick Van Patten works quite well as the clueless king of Druidia, and it helps that he brings a fatherly presence from his many years working in sitcoms. It’s also a pleasure to see Sir John Hurt in a parody of his role as Kane in the original Alien, and Tim Russ (who would become better known as Tuvok from Star Trek: Voyager) interact with him in the same diner scene. This is a film that brings together comedy legends and well-known faces from science fiction in an entertaining space opera romp.

That isn’t to say this film is completely flawless in its execution. There are moments of gross-out humor that may turn away people who aren’t into that. Pizza the Hutt is a disgusting character to look at, though admittedly the animatronics are good and Dom DeLuise pulls off the Jabba parody well. Pizza also ends up being a completely inconsequential character by the end, written out in a line of dialogue that conveniently manages to tie together the plot complication. The diner scene is relatively tasteful and doesn’t get as gory as the scene it parodies, but it can be a little intense for younger viewers. I also felt like the Planet of the Apes joke doesn’t quite land as intended, mainly because of some relatively weak dialogue; a reference to one of that film’s classic lines might have landed more effectively. Still, these are small nitpicks in what is generally a classic work of comedy.

Spaceballs is a film that’s managed to maintain its comedic edge even after several decades, and that is to the credit of Mel Brooks and his impressive cast. Although it was a good film even in its day, the humor manages to be funnier as it ages, a very difficult feat to pull off. Though good as a Star Wars parody, Spaceballs has so much depth in its humor, its content and its cast that it transcends its roots and becomes something truly special. If you’re looking for a fun, lighthearted film that also has worthwhile things to say, Spaceballs offers all those things and more.

Score: 4.5/5

Director: Mel Brooks

Writers: Mel Brooks, Ronny Graham, and Thomas Meehan

Cast: Bill Pullman, John Candy, Rick Moranis, Daphne Zuniga, Joan Rivers, Lorene Yarnell, George Wyner, Dick Van Patten, Michael Winslow, Ronny Graham, Jim J. Bullock, Leslie Bevis, Dom DeLuise, John Hurt, Tim Russ

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Steve Sellers

Steve Sellers had been a fan of superheroes ever since Superman: The Movie. But it took the JSA, the Legion of Super-Heroes, Dragonlance, Lord of the Rings, Twilight Zone, and Chris Claremont's legendary run on the X-Men to make him a writer and a longtime fan of comics, fantasy, and science fiction. Steve is the co-creator of WHITE DRUID & MICHAEL NERO and GUARDIANS OF ELAYIM for Omen Comics, and he is also the creator of BLITZ and SHOCKWAVE for Revelation Comics (an imprint of Omen Comics).