ScoobyMint
Disappointment for a huge fan!
Aneesa Wardle
The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.
Francene Odetta
It's simply great fun, a winsome film and an occasionally over-the-top luxury fantasy that never flags.
Woodyanders
Ten-year-old boy Peter (a solid and likable performance by David Mendenhall) stows away on a spaceship that's hijacked by a motley band of intergalactic pirates led by hard-nosed ex-soldier Col. C.W. "Hawk" Hawkins (neatly essayed with gruff'n'growly aplomb by Vince Edwards). Hawk promises to return Peter to his home planet. However, things are complicated by both Hawk's arch nemesis Zeriatin (a nicely wicked portrayal by Ray Stewart) and a lethal robot ship that's been assigned to find Peter at any cost.Writer/director Howard R. Cohen keeps the entertaining story moving along at a swift pace, maintains an engaging good-natured tone throughout, stages the rousing action set pieces with gusto, and further spruces things up with amusing touches of zany humor. Moreover, it's acted with zest by an able and enthusiastic cast, with especially sturdy contributions from Patsy Pease as the scrappy Amanda, Thom Christopher as psychic alien Flightplan, Luca Bercovici as the rowdy Ace, and Drew Snyder as the amiable Aldebarian. Dick Miller pops up in a funny bit role as the hologram for fast-talking salesman Crazy Mel. The sweet relationship between Hawk and Peter gives this picture some real heart and warmth. In addition, the recycled sets from previous Roger Corman films and copious special effects footage from "Battle Beyond the Stars" -- along with James Horner's stirring and spirited score from same! -- add to this movie's irresistibly cheap'n'cheerful ramshackle appeal. An immensely enjoyable Grade B outing.
cicero221
Cheaply pieced together of recycled film footage, music and ideas, this film cannot really be called "well". But for me, when I watched it as a teenager, it was quite amusing. (I didn't know BATTLE BEYOND THE STARS before.) In retrospect it has got something nostalgic, regarding the SF wave of the early eighties and the special effects of this time. Its trashy old-fashioned look and its naivety provide a certain attraction. To enjoy this movie I recommend to concentrate on the paternal relationship between the characters of Vince Edwards and David Mendenhall. In addition, I liked the idea that a bunch of scoundrels discovers its heroic qualities after been unwillingly confronted with the challenge to take care of a child.
MEEdmo42
This is, after all, only a fantasy, but I liked it. The idea that a promise was given to a boy by a man who was once an honorable officer, and was kept even though it meant death to Hawk, was special to me. What a memory this young boy must have had all his future life for this man. These characters lived on the edge of excitement all the time, facing death throughout their adventurous lives. I found it good, but perhaps a little hokey at times. Fun to watch anyway. I would rate it at least 6 or 7. It had a good moral.
chanfan86
Yet another rip off of StarWars in the early 80's, but who cares. The movie has space battles,cool pirates, some good acting,a great score by james horner which has been used countless times but still effective, and some comic moments(intentional and some not). Dont start watching this movie thinking its going to be a big budget, sci-fi flick, because its not. just sit down and have fun for an hour and a half. Do not take the movie seriously.
