LUNARCOP (1994) (SOLAR FORCE) A Film Review Copyright Dragan Antulov 2001
Famous SF author Isaac Asimov wrote a story in which inhabitants of future Moon colonies think of their artificial low-gravity home as much better alternative to natural yet savage Earth. Lunar colonists in LUNARCOP, 1994 science fiction film directed by Boaz Davidson, might argue with that, but they don't have much of a choice - twenty-seven years ago Earth suffered ecological collapse that turned entire surface into inhospitable desert. The lucky and privileged few that had found shelter on the Moon managed to develop "Amaranth" - serum which might change the climate of Earth all over again. The stuff has fallen into the hands of dangerous fanatics and lunar policeman Joe Brody (played by Michael Pare) is being sent to Earth to stop the disaster. On the surface of ravaged Earth he finds small communities of survivors who are constantly threatened by motorcycle gangs, the meanest of them being led by evil Kay (played by Billy Drago). Brody decides to set his mission aside for a time being and protect the villagers.
Plot that doesn't make much sense, Terrence Pare's script that employs too many overused cliches from MAD MAX and TERMINATOR movies, and, finally Michael Pare in the lead role - all those are the reasons why LUNARCOP doesn't look very good at the first glance. Director Boaz Davidson, who used to make Israeli sex comedies in late 1970s and early 1980s, obviously can't cope well with the genre of science fiction and his ablities are further constrained by tiny budget, painfully visible in the scenes that feature poor special effects. On the other hand, some action scenes are impressive, and Billy Drago is very entertaining in another of his many over-the-top villain roles. In the end, Davidson manages something that many other more talented filmmakers failed to do - surprise audience with twist ending. Because of that, LUNARCOP, although far from being recommendable, is a much better film than it was supposed to be.
RATING: 3/10 (+)
Review written on September 20th 2001
Dragan Antulov a.k.a. Drax E-mail: dragan.antulov@st.tel.hr http://www.film.purger.com - Filmske recenzije na hrvatskom/Movie Reviews in Croatian
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