Tuesday, 16 May 2023

Space Raiders (1983) Review


 A mercenary and his crew try to stop a robot force and return a stowaway boy to his home planet.


Directed by Howard R. Cohen, Roger Corman's production shamelessly reuses sets from his other small budget productions, also special effects and the music from Battle Beyond the Stars, and music cues from Humanoids from the Deep. Nevertheless, to Cohens credit he brings the patch work of elements together throwing in some brief stop-motion animation; and cheap alien masks.

Thom Christopher as Flightplan a psychic alien is notable alongside likeable young David Mendenhall as Peter. Memorable is Drew Snyder as Aldebarian. It rips off Star Wars and Return of the Jedi at every opportunity. But thankfully it's brisk pace, solid acting with plenty of heart makes up for Space Raiders short comings.

Overall, it's a cheap and cheerful space adventure, and even with the recycled ingredients that may take you out of the moment it flows surprisingly well.

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