Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the Eighth Dimension

MOVIE DESCRIPTION:

Despite mixed reviews and a disastrous initial release that dumped the film into theaters for a week in the midst of the 1984 Summer Olympics, The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the Eight Dimension went on to become one of the major cult films of the 1980s, developing a rabid following after its release on videotape. Drifting between satire and improbable sci-fi adventure, the film stars Peter Weller as Buckaroo Banzai, the son of an American mother and Japanese father who is a combination physicist, neurosurgeon, martial arts master, secret agent, and rock star who travels with his band of assistants/backing musicians, The Hong Kong Cavaliers. As the story opens, Buckaroo is driving his car through a mountain to test his new invention, the Oscillation Overthruster. However, a race of boorish aliens called the Red Lectroids have been waiting for such an item to become a reality, as they need it to return to the distant planet they call home. One of Buckaroo's arch-enemies, Dr. Emilio Lizardo (John Lithgow), who has been possessed by the Red Lectroids, attempted to created a similar device decades before; now escaped from an insane asylum, he is back at work with the Lectroids on a plan to control the world. Throw in Rastafarian aliens, unscheduled travel between dimensions, and the odd inexplicable watermelon, and you get a film that defies conventional synopsis. With its fast pace, quotable dialogue ("No matter where you go, there you are"), and barrage of gags (subtle and otherwise), you won't be bored even when you're not sure what's going on. The supporting cast includes Jeff Goldblum as New Jersey, a Cavalier with a snappy cowboy outfit, and Ellen Barkin as Penny Priddy, the twin sister of Buckaroo's late wife. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

DVD FEATURES:

• Region: 1
• Number of Discs: 1
• Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 (Cinemascope)
• Audio: 5.1, PCM Mono
• Screen: Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV
• Subtitle: English, French, Spanish
• Features:
  • • Alternate opening
    • "Buckaroo Banzai" declassified documentary
    • Deleted scenes archives
    • Commentary with director W.D. Richter and writer Earl Mac Rauch
    • Character profiles
    • Banzai Institute archives
    • Photo gallery
    • "Jet Car All Access"
    • Pinky Carruther's unknown facts

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• Director:

  W.D. Richter

• Producer:

  Neil Canton, W.D. Richter

• Screenwriter:

  Earl Mac Rauch

• Cinematographer:

  Fred Koenekamp

• Composer (Music Score):

  Michael Boddicker

• Musical Direction/Supervision:

  Bones Howe

• Editor:

  George Bowers, Richard Marks

• Production Designer:

  J. Michael Riva

• Art Director:

  Stephen Dane, Rick Carter

• Associate Producer:

  Dennis E. Jones

• Executive Producer:

  Sidney Beckerman

• Set Designer:

  Linda de Scenna, Virginia Randolph

• Costume Designer:

  Aggie Guerard Rodgers

• Sound/Sound Designer:

  Bones Howe, Michael Evje

• Special Effects:

  David M. Blitstein, Michael Fink, Henry Millar

• First Assistant Director:

  Gary Daigler, Katterli A. Frauenfelder

• Stunts:

  M. James Arnett

• Production Manager:

  Dennis E. Jones

• Casting:

  Terry Liebling

• Special Effects Supervisor:

  Michael Fink

REVIEW:

• It's not difficult to understand why The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the Eighth Dimension never caught on with a mass audience. The story is told in an overtly complex way that makes the viewer work hard to follow it, it downplays blockbuster-style action in favor of idea-driven science fiction, and the proceedings are driven by a stylized sort of humor that isn't for every viewer. However, none of this means that it's a bad film; it's merely an acquired taste. Earl MacRauch's script suffers from periodic slow spots where it seems to be overwhelmed by its self-conscious complexity, but it makes up for this with a consistently high level of imagination and plenty of intriguingly quirky characterizations. These characters are brought to life by a gifted cast that wisely plays the material straight. Peter Weller is appropriately stoic as the renaissance man hero and Ellen Barkin makes an endearing (if underused) romantic foil as Penny, but it is John Lithgow who takes top honors as Dr. Lizardo. His inspired dementia lives up to the story's sci-fi pulp roots and gives the film a fresh shot of energy whenever he pops up. Behind the camera, first-time director W.D. Richter shows a good eye for comic book-styled visuals and brings a humorous but gentle touch to the film that provides a subtle balance to its wacked-out humor. All in all, The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the Eighth Dimension is probably too eccentric and challenging for a general audience, but is full of delights for anyone willing to tune into its unique wavelength. ~ Donald Guarisco, Rovi