May I introduce you to the second-ever "photorealistic" use of computer generated environments put to film, right after Disney's TRON. Made in 1984, it's far from realistic by our standards and doesn't even measure up to the expectations we have for a cheap video game these days, but somehow I would say that the effects have aged well. Part of the reason, I think, is that they don't have that manufactures feel about them, and the look of the film somehow shows that it was lovingly put together. This was before "special effects" was just a synonym for "CGI," and the director took a genuine risk making this film the way he did.

Personally, I think that this all could have been done without computer-generated-imagery. I would have preferred that look, especially today. As it stands, it looks like an old video game, but there's something fitting about that. Unless you're been living under a rock, the premise of this film is that the main character, Alex Rogan, gets recruited to be a starfighter for an alien race known as the Rylons after getting a high score in an arcade game simulating the starfighter experience. Since the video game was an integral part of the movie's premise, it makes it more forgivable that the digitally rendered ships should look like they came from an old 90's video game, and it gives it a certain fantasy look that has never really been done in any movie since. It feels like it's neither practical effects nor computer effects, even though it is the latter, since it's a look I have yet to see again. In any case, I find it easier to suspend my disbelief for something like this than for a lot of CG today that makes me want to closely analyse it for faults.

Regarding the story, it uses some science fiction cliches, including names like Xur and Xandoxans, the Ko-Dan Empire, Rylos, and an lovable con-man named Centauri. If you are in the mood for something that takes a queue from Flash Gordon, add this to your things to watch. Of course, it inevitably ends up with a number of similarities to Star Wars that it has rightfully been called a Star Wars ripoff, but "the best one." That is to say, director Nick Castle was aware that this could easily turn out like Star Wars and tried his hardest to make it different, only to find out that George Lucas really knew what he was doing when he embraced universal archetypes that show up in just about any story, such as the reluctant hero with a modest rural background. The director went from trying hard not to copy it to accepting any similarities that came up. As much as he can, he does try to make this his own thing, hence, "it's a Star Wars ripoff, but the best one."

Alex Ross was initially also intended to come from a suburb, but Castle felt that this was too "Spielbergian." That's another thing that Nick Castle had to fight against, and ultimately failed to do. However, being similar to the best of the best isn't too bad, since at the end of the day it's pretty fun. Had this been a story meant to cash in on those successes, that would be a problem, but this was a very well-intentioned movie that really just wanted to provide people with a charming, escapist fantasy that all of us have in one form or other.

Regarding that non-Spielbergian background, though, that was supposed to be a suburb but turned into a trailer park: I'm glad they did that. It's a setting I've really never seen in a movie before, and it felt very real to me, in spite of the slightly unrealistic elements they through in there to advance the fantasy. It hit a chord with me, and it was a pleasure to watch the characters in their home environment. I think part of that is because watching neighborhoods with a distinct identity and self-comfort automatically feel familiar, and few stories call for such a cultured illustration of home life. The mountain scenery in the backdrop of the trailer park was also stunning, which cetainly helped with the feel for this modest trailer park. Overall, it created a distinct atmosphere that was uniquely American and definitely from the 80's. So 80's. Considering that this was actually made in the 80's instead of being a period piece, this means that this is an authentic souvenir of that time period, making it pretty cool to watch.

The fantasy, however, was far less complete. I loved everything having to do with Alex's home life before his fantasy began, since it was set up so well, but the adventure ended fairly fast, and there were obvious loose ends to tie up. it reminds me very much of Star Wars Episode IV, what with Darth Vader escaping, the empire remaining in power, and Luke Skywalker merely beginning his quest as a hero of the Rebel Alliance. This movie needed a sequel that never came.

The reason why the fantasy works is because of a character known as Beta. if you haven't seen the film, I'll explain this in a roundabout way. There are two storylines going on in the film, both following characters played by Lance Guest. One of them is Alex Rogan, and the other is someone named Beta. The latter character is fun and funny, and also shows that Guest had to be a flexible enough of an actor in order to be in this film. I personally think that Guest was perfectly cast, and he brought a lot of charm to both the roles, the all-American boy charm to the one and the humorous charm that came with the other. I like Beta, and he was probably the selling point of the whole film. He allowed me to switch from the fantasy to the home environment that seemed rather captivating and, being an alien to trailer park, equally as much a fantasy. There's really two stories here, one of a mundane character adopting to a fantastic world and one of a fantastic character adopting to a mundane world. I think that it makes this experience just unique enough, and gives it just enough heart, that it can be watched repeatedly.

By the way, in the last five years there has been talk of making a sequel. I personally feel it should likewise be lighthearted, and wait until a third installment before going for a major tone shift.