Prisoners of the Lost Universe

Original movie poster.

Today's flick review is about a parallel universe adventure made in 1983, and believe me the film itself hasn't aged like wine has.

The 80's where wonderful years concerning the movie industry, thousands of stories were made and some other thousands of copies from original ideas were also made. I'm not saying the all original hollywood awarded sci-fi films are the ones you have to watch, but it is always nice to recognize the original source of many of the B movies reviewed on this blog. 

Prisoners of the Lost Universe, was not produced or related by any means to legendary producer Roger Corman, a guy who did have a lot to do with Star Wars space adventure imitations of all sorts, in fact he did have a lot to do with lots of film that were dubiously similar to Hollywood blockbusters and who fucking cares? Do  you? I don't.

I mentioned Roger Corman to prepare you to the kind of film I'm about to describe, I mean it could have not been produced by Corman, but all of his art and talent can be found in today's film.

Astonishing art.

Our angry heroine.

You won't see me nude here pal.

After the pointless introduction about what everyone knows already I gotta warn you that to enjoy this movie you really have to be able to overlook the low budget. The special effects are lame. Very lame. The alien dimension is an exact replica of Earth. The "monsters" are people in mild fancy dress. The fight scenes are amateurish, and made more "exciting" by running the film faster. A three year old child could spot it without even trying. However, if you can accept the shortfalls for what they are – the result of an extremely low budget and an overreaching ambition – and allow yourself to ride with the tide, you will enjoy this film.

The saving graces come in the form of a fun script and Kay Lenz.

The script is not magnificently written, but the dialogue is fun and counterpoints many amusing incidents in the storyline. I won't highlight any incidents as I want this post to remain spoiler-free. However, if you relax into this movie and roll with it you will discover them for yourself when you find yourself laughing out loud – and you will perhaps be surprised that you are laughing with the movie, not at it.

Kay Lenz is also fun. If you like your heroines good looking and feminine but sparky, you will love her character. Having a female lead character in a film who looks like this, and is possessed of intelligence and verve, will always add a certain frisson for many male viewers.

Weird Comrades.

I always find that one of the marks of a movie that has been particularly enjoyable is that at the ending I am surprised that so much time has passed whilst I was watching. This film met that criterion. It is refreshing to find this in a low-budget movie after sitting through some Hollywood blockbuster or other wondering how much longer it will be before the interminable film ends.

If you want to watch a fun bubblegum movie, and you are willing and able to overlook a budget so low that it hits you in the face thirty times per minute of running time, take a look at this film. You will have fun. 

Here's the movie trailer:

And for your deep loyalty with yours truly I give you the full movie for your viewing pleasure:

See you soon! and be ready for some more cool B movies reviews.