Available at Amazon.com
MGM DVD presents Solarbabies. Written by Walon Green and D.A. Metrov. 94 minutes. Rated PG-13. Originally released in 1986
Directed By:
Alan Jonson
Cast:
Richard Jordan. Grock
Jami Gertz. Terra
Jason Patric. Jason
Lukas Haas. Daniel
James LeGros. Metron
Claude Brooks. Rabbit
Charles Durning. The Warden
The Film:
A movie like Solarbabies could only come to pass in the 80’s. Teens roller-skating around in a post apocalyptic desert to a super synth soundtrack is almost more than the senses can bare. There is a certain innocence about this film that is most likely lost the cynicism of today.
As explained in the opening monologue, the year is 41 and there isn’t much water left. When kids are born they are taken to orphanages where they are trained to work for the corporation that’s running what’s left of society. The story focuses around a group of friends who call themselves, yep, you guessed it, Solarbabies.
The lives of these friends are changed forever when the youngest, Daniel (Lukas Haas), finds a glowing extraterrestrial sphere named Bodie that cures him of his deafness. When the ball is stolen Daniel leaves the orphanage to go after it and the others go after Daniel. Leaving the orphanage is forbidden and the chase is on to capture the kids. Will the kids be able to rescue Bodie before they are captured themselves? This is very much an adventure movie with one situation leading right into the next keeping what little plot there is moving right along. Many things happen seemingly without any rhyme or reason. But would you expect any less from a movie like this?
If any of this sounds totally ridiculous, believe you me it is. This is a silly, goofy, ridiculous movie that falls under the so ridiculously bad it’s awesome category. The mere fact that these kids ride around the desert on roller-skates of all things is funny enough, but that’s just the tip of the corny iceberg. With dated special effects, cheese music, ludicrous plot points and mullets abound there really is no way you can go wrong. As long as you know what you’re getting yourself into that is.
On top of being totally cheese-mo, this movie is fun to watch cause you get to see a few great “B” 80’s actors in their prime. Richard Jordan, Jami Gertz, Jason Patric, James LeGros, a very young Lukas Haas and to top it all off, Charles Durning as the kind warden who’s the only adult who actually cares about these kids. The acting is by no means good. It’s, well, it’s 80’s.
A young Jami Gertz and Bodie, the extraterrestrial sphere.
The DVD:
The Video:
The film is presented in both widescreen 2.35:1 and fullscreen 1.33:1. The transfer is by no means perfect but it’s fine for what it is. It definitely looks like an 80’s film. There are no scratches or anything so that’s nice.
The Audio:
The film is presented in Dolby Surround. This doesn’t appear to have been improved at all. Totally 80’s synth pop soundtrack. It’s not terrible but it’s nothing to write home about.
Extras:
Nothing.
The Inside Pulse
This is a seriously goofy movie and might hold some nostalgic value for anyone who grew up watching it. It’s good movie to watch with a bunch friends with a few beers and do a little MST3K on it. I mean, seriously, did I mention the roller-skates? ROLLER-SKATES! It’s a good thing there are ramps everywhere in the future.
