The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension, 1984. My Journey into Science Fiction Part 13.

Hello, and welcome to My Journey into Science Fiction Part 13. Today, I will try to make some sense of the film known as The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension. Buckaroo Banzai was produced and directed by W.D Richter, and written by Earl Mac Rauch, what a name. Released by 20th Century Fox in 1984, the film only managed to recoup half of the cost of its production but has since attracted a loyal fan base throughout the years that have followed.

Buckaroo Banzai Peter Weller and his Hong Kong Cavaliers are caught in a battle to the death between the evil Red Lectroids and the Black Lectroids from Planet 10. I enjoyed the opening of this film. Synthesiser magnificence with retro signage. After that, this film does not stop for a second, and the visuals are pretty damn great for the time, but the story is completely bonkers. However, I can see how it’s become a cult classic with the sheer lunacy of the production. Dictator John Whorfin, John Lithgow has taken over the body of Italian scientist, Dr Emilio Lizardo. The Red Lectroids are trying to get Buckaroo’s oscillation over thruster but the Black Lectroids are having none of it, and would rather destroy Earth than let the Renegades return to their Planet. I had to put off writing about this film for a while, because, after the first viewing, I still had no idea what was going on within the film. I had to give it a few weeks to let it sink in, and then I could understand it a little more closely. I will be honest, I don’t love it. But I can see something in the film that is completely leftfield and appealing to me. Alternatively, the story could have been stronger if some of the craziness would have been toned down a bit. Blasphemy, I know, as that madness could be the very thing that should be celebrated in this instance. 

I do like the story of our guests from other dimensions, and how they incorporated the War of the Worlds broadcast as a real-life event is quite genius. But how can you take a film seriously, when people have bubble wrap strapped to their faces whilst talking to a Lectroid who would feel more at home in Studio 54? I can understand how this is a product of its time, and if I was a ten-year-old watching this on VHS back in the day, my thoughts could be completely different now. However, there is a lot to be treasured within this film, and I always try to remain positive. The movie boasts some fine actors who went on to bigger and better things in the future. I admire the bravery and tenacity of the visual and special effects department, as they tried to create something colourful, unique and exciting. The film stands alone in that sense and is quite an achievement. However, I remain optimistic that one rainy day, I will watch this film again and it will blow my mind. Sometimes, trying to make sense of something you are trying to write about, can be a hindrance. I cannot wait for the day. I can understand the appeal of Buckaroo Banzai, and it is already pulling me back. 

I guess the next question is, where am I going next on my Journey into Science Fiction Part 14? Well, I could have chosen Back to the Future, featuring Christopher Lloyd. However, my next choice is a film that I have always loved and also features Jeff Goldblum. My next stop is David Cronenberg‘s 1986 science fiction horror, The Fly.

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