Starchaser: The Legend of Orin (1985) Review

Orin, an escaped slave must free his people from an underground mine but first journey across the galaxy to fulfil his destiny.


Directed and produced by Steven Hahn, and written by Jeffrey Scott Starchaser borrows from Flash Gordon, Star Wars, the King Arthur Legend, even a bit of Blade Runner and many more. It's more young adult orientated, almost in the ballpark of Ralph Bakshi, there's disturbing 2000 A.D-like half-human, half-machine Man-Droids, Fembots. with some above PG choice language and surprise deaths, it offers an emotional clout and punch.


While the pace is at times is a little clunky like the Battle Star Galactica carbon robots, the animation (with no use of rotoscoping) is outstanding for the time. Andrew Belling's music score is a fitting highlight. The characters, especially the robot leads are quite likeable, the evil overlord Zygon is notable. The voice acting is great and there's even a nice little twist to close of the proceedings.


Overall, refreshingly made before CGI it borrows from the best and worst of sci-fi and comes out on top. Recommend.