Flash Gordon is one of those movies from the 80s that if you look at a clip, you will think it’s probably bad at first glance. Originally, director George Lucas wanted to make a "Flash Gordon" movie but was told no. He eventually made Star Wars, which took cues from the "Flash Gordon" serials that he probably grew up with and was a massive success. The hero was originally drawn by Alex Raymond as a comic strip which was published by King Features Syndicate in 1934. The movie is so bonkers cheesy and campy that it’s a cult classic for a reason.
1. Savior of the Universe
Obviously, the film is about Flash Gordon and is based on the early runs of the character. His origins are revised for the movie. Instead of being a polo player, he is a quarterback for the New York Jets. Stick with me here. Him, a girl named Dale, and a mad scientist Dr. Zarkov arrive on the planet Mongo to unite the different factions to rebel against the evil emperor Ming. The emperor decides to destroy Earth because, why not. I’m serious he doesn’t have a specific reason. Originally, the evil emperor was depicted as looking Asian since the US had a fear of Asian people and stereotyped them.
Here, the emperor is played by Max von Sydow and is at least made to look like Ming from the comics but nowhere near having him wear yellow skin. What I love about the film is just how everything plays out. Like the whole entire film is played very straight with everything looking hokey which I’ll explain in the next tab. More so that when Flash and Dale are flying in a plane, they just happen to crash to a crazy scientist’s home.
From there, everything just focuses on Flash trying to rescue Dale from being wedded to the evil emperor. Oh and save the Earth. What I like is the entire set design of the movie. During it’s time of release, Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back was released earlier that year and it had a very distinct style. A more subdued sci-fi look that has muted colors to evoke the Empire. Here, it’s eye popping galore, literally an early attempt to make the film look like a comic book. Which I’ll discuss I promise.
Flash isn’t a one note person when we follow him throughout the film. He is mostly just an aloof and assured person who manages to have the confidence to stop the emperor. What I like is that his personality and him being human manages to make the factions on the planet rally behind him to rebel against the ruler. It’s when he shows compassion and humanity which weirds out the Birdmen leader Prince Vultan. Who eventually warms up and uses his bird men to invade Ming’s forces.
2. Camp
So what is camp? From what I gathered, its an aesthetic style that regards something as appealing because of its bad taste and ironic value. Or, something that is exaggerated in a hilarious way. When seeing the movie, it’s special effects are something to behold. Not because it was groundbreaking, but, well. To put it into context with other films that capitalized on Star Wars, it had a distinct style when Star Wars had a balance between sci-fi and a western.
Flash Gordon has a very, distinct look. I mean the shots that I’m using doesn’t do it justice. It looks like a bad film just by looking at the special effects. What works is that it’s played completely straight. Just the way the characters interact with the way the sets look is almost intentional. Everything looks ridiculous with the color being so loud. With how everyone dresses in Ming’s palace where it must’ve been literally alien. Especially the bird-men with their wings looking stiff when they fly. Whenever Gordon is flying to fight the Emperor, the shots where he's riding on a vehicle looks so cheap, but that's why it works.
The acting is okay, but it adds to the camp factor of the film. Whenever there is real tension, the way the actors deliver their lines is almost hilarious. I think it was intentional when the producer of the film Dino de Laurentiis acquired the film rights to the character. One of the writers who was attached to project says that the film wasn’t supposed to be funny. Since the character wasn’t comedic but was more adventure oriented.
This is possibly one of the reasons why it has its cult-classic status. Just the way the film goes about with everything without taking itself seriously. It’s just silly with everything being presented. Probably where the unintentional comedy is the highlight. With its flimsy special effects looks like something that was done in the last possible minute of the production.
3. Legacy
When it came out back in 1980, it was a money maker in Italy and the United Kingdom. Although, it bombed in the US. I guess people were turned off by just how it looked and its cheapish aesthetic. Years later, it would eventually get a fanbase and have a cult-following. I only heard of the film on Seth McFarlane’s Family Guy. Mostly as a visual gag during the show’s early seasons.
It wasn’t until his directorial debut Ted, is when he brought in actor Sam J. Jones for a tribute to the film. Among other filmmakers, it was influential for director Edgar Wright who directed Scott Pilgrim vs. The World. I think I find it ironic that both actors Brian Blessed and Max von Sydow appeared in Star Wars films after the film’s release. Possibly as a tribute to the movie among some reason.
4. Overall
The movie is pure early 80s entertainment. I haven’t read any “Flash Gordon” comic, and I doubt that the film does them justice. What makes up for the film’s downside is the fact that its attempting to be its own thing and sticking to it. I mean, it even has its own theme song from Queen. That must be one reason why you should check it out.
Flash Gordon gets a four out of five.
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