That’s So 80’s! – The Last Starfighter (1984)

2 NERDS, 1 DECADE

THIS IMAGE-DRIVEN SERIES SHINES AN OBNOXIOUS PASTEL NEON LIGHT ON THE 80-EST 80s MOVIES AROUND. 

THAT’S SO 80s! takes a nostalgic trip down VHS memory lane, remembering some of the cheesiest movies from one of the cheesiest decades.

Fellow movie connoisseur MOVIEROB joins forces with SLIP/THROUGH for a semi-regular column highlighting some of the best scenes (and fashion choices) of the era.

This edition of That’s so 80s gets sci-fi with a STAR WARS knock-off (that was actually good) THE LAST STARFIGHTER. Mega nerds will enjoy several elements to this cult classic, most of all the video game hero turned savior of the galaxy, recruited into the game universe he spends so much time in. Cheesy FX, lots of action, and tons of fun. This is one is worth the time travel.

Rob and Dan breakdown what they love about this retro gem, from the 80s fashion to the 80s sensibilities.

Enjoy your THROWBACK THURSDAY! And Stay Rad!

Check out the full post here!

 

This week’s choice of film comes for two reasons.

1. Dan recently recommended that I read the book Ready Player One by Ernest Cline and this movie is referenced there along with lots of other 80’s pop culture staples. (BTW, I loved it and Highly recommended it to everyone).

2. As a kid, I loved the premise and execution of the story and was curious what I would think of it all now.

The story is actually based on the premise that it’s possible to find a savior by a simple test like in the story of Excalibur in Arthurian legend.

Numerous other movies or books have since used the idea to create blockbusters or bestsellers based solely on this idea that if you create a good enough test you can always eventually find what you’re looking for.

Prime examples of this are Enders Game or Rey finding Luke’s lightsaber or even the cyclical plot of Interstellar.

The use of a videogame to find real pilots was a great concept and this movie works because of it.

The special effects are very archaic looking and despite them being state of the art for that time, today they would require a ‘slight’ spruce up.

The alien costumes look quite fake, but some look funnier because of it.

Loved seeing a pre-BTTF DeLorean and the language chip concept is really amazing.

The cast is pretty much filled with complete unknowns besides Robert Preston but if you look carefully you might spot a very young Wil Wheaton running around a trailer park.

80’s me – 5/5
Now me -4/5
80’s vibe -3/5

Typical Trailer park USA circa 1984.

 Speak up, I can’t hear ya while I’m listenin to White Snake

 What does it mean when ur girlfriend and mom look almost the same?

  Nostalgia…ah, I miss the days of 80’s high tech video games!

   80’s teens in fashion to go to “the lake”

  Mean friend who is still nice enough to drive everyone

So this is what a DeLorean looked like before it became popular just one year later with Doc and Marty

 

80’s CGI at its best

Take off your mask!

 Why does ur face look all rubbery?

 Didn’t know Admiral Ackbar was in this one too?… It’s a TRAP!!!!

  I think I may have some skin cream that could clear that up in a jiffy

 

  Quick! Hair and Makeup!!!!!