With inspiration from the first three "Star Wars" films (which were released in 1977, 1980 & 1983), the highly successful 1982 videogame-based film "Tron" and the overall popularity of videogames in the 1980's, "The Last Starfighter" is a fun film to watch and was one of the earliest films to use computer-generated graphics to depict outer space scenes. As always, Robert Preston did a magnificent job of acting in what unfortunately was his last big-screen appearance. Lance Guest's portrayal of Alex was probably not as good as Mark Hamill's portrayal of Luke Skywalker in the 1977 "Star Wars", but it was good enough to keep the film's momentum going. Catherine Mary Stewart did do a good job with her portrayal of Maggie. Other memorable characters in the film include Alex's lizardy copilot Grig (Dan O'Herlihy), trailer park manager Otis (Vernon Washington, 1927-1988), trailer park resident Elvira (Peggy Pope), Maggie's grandmother (Meg Wyllie, 1917-2002, who played the Talosian Keeper in the original 1965 "Star Trek" TV series pilot "The Cage" that was later refashioned as the two-part episode "The Minagerie"), Lord Kril (Dan Mason) and Enduran (Kay E. Kuter, 1925-2003). Memorable scenes include Alex at the trailer park, Alex beating the videogame, Centauri's arrival and trip into space, Alex's arrival on Rylos, meeting the other starfighter pilots, the surprise attack, Alex talking with his beta unit, the Kodan spy, Alex's time with Grig, the battle scenes and the final scenes. Overall, I rate "The Last Starfighter" with 4 out of 5 stars.


A good film and presented better than ever on DVD.   September 25, 1999
 11 out of 11 found this review helpful

Quite a good film, especially for kids, although older viewers will find it appealing. Yes it does jump on the Stars Wars bandwagon and there is a bit of dialogue in the eariler space scenes which is a blatant rip-off from Star Wars... but its a good enough film in its own right, pioneering some excellent Cray Super computer graphics, which were very impressive in its day, and still looks good now. This film is really done justice on DVD. The picture quality is good overall, but is a bit grainy throughout and the colours are a little pale. Its widescreen (2.35:1) and anamorphic, the best this film has ever looked for home use. The sound though is the real surprise, its Dolby Digital 5.1 and impressive. For a film of its age and considering it was originally in Dolby Stereo, the sound engineers have done an excellent job for this DVD presentation, the music is excellent, great clarity and quality. The dialogue sounds fine and is clear. The sound effects are good and quite well placed in this new sound mix. The rear speakers are used where necessary and the sound surrounds you at times quite well. Overall, good enough picture quality, excellent sound and well worth owning on DVD. The extras on DVD include a "making of documentary" with some interesting comments from ILM who did Star Wars.


It's in the stars ....   August 30, 2007
 9 out of 12 found this review helpful

This was a beloved movie on my part, for it's sweet, childlike innocence and wonderful sense of accomplishment. Being this was made in the 80s, several movies following Star Wars had a sci fi theme, were aimed at kids 14 and under, incorporated new technologies (in this case, videogames), and had a happy ending.

Alex is a kid from a trailer park. He is ernest, dependable and hard working, and (talk about science fiction) not white trash in the slightest. His fellow trailer park residents are also, amazingly, not trashy and more like a charming small town of characters. His only escape from his mundane existence, besides his girlfriend Maggie, is his love of the one and only arcade videogame, Starfighter. Because of his agility with the joystick, one day an intergalactic con man named Centari comes to earth and offers him an opportunity to become a starfighter. He leaves a beta unit (a carbon copy of Alex) in his place, and off they go into outerspace. Alex, however, chickens out. He says he doesn't want to be a starfighter, he's not important enough, he's not worthy, etc. And Centari said something that I thought was a bit jeuvenile, but in the recent past I have been shown time and time again that truth is in the simplicity of : "If that's what you think, that's all you'll ever be".

And that is true. You CAN do anything you want. Climb the mountain, travel to distant lands, even save the universe with a videogame. If you want something bad enough, if you work hard, if you put anything and everything you have into whatever it is you want, you'll get it. How many people have I seen not get what they want because they just gave up? They chicken out because they don't have someone else to attempt it with them or because they can't go it alone? Cowardice is always far safer, as Alex shows us, but heroics bring glory, as he later shows us.

The special effects were cutting edge at the time, and now they look silly. But, in a period piece such as this, it's not without it's charm to know that it's just a guy in a rubber mask or primative computer graphics programs. And the comedy antics are always fun, with the Beta Unit's bumbling fish out of water attitude and being clumbsy on earth, as well as Alex's awkwardness while in space. This takes me back to a happy time.


GREAT!   September 20, 2007
 9 out of 10 found this review helpful

Great movie and great HD DVD disc.The Last Star Fighter is one of my favorite movies from the 80's.It is one of my must watched DVD's that I have.When it was anounced that The Last Star Fighter was coming out on HD DVD I wasnt so sure if I wanted to double dip as the picture quality on the DVD was good,but not great.Well I decided to get it anyways and right from the start of the movie I knew I made a wise choise.The Last Star Fighter looks great in High Def and it blows the standard def DVD version away.The sound is not bad either and Universal has included a Dolby True track.The special features are the same as the previous DVD version-Making off,commentary with Nick Castle.Universal has done a great job with this HD DVD and I'm sure I'll be playing my copy alot.


CULT MOVIES 29   February 2, 1999
 8 out of 12 found this review helpful

29. THE LAST STARFIGHTER (SCI-fiction, 1984) For young Alex Rogan (Lance Guest) living in a trailer park is boring. He wants to escape from his rural existence and go to the city where he hopes to go to College. Bot for his girlfriend Annie (Catherine Mary Stewart) the prospect of leaving her grandmother behind is hard. Alex's only real excitement is playing a video game called 'Last Starfighter', having played it so many times that he finally breaks the game's points record. Soon after he's visited by a friendly alien power. They want to recruit him as one of their elite 'Starfighters' in an inter-galactic war where his skills will prove the turning point. Here he finds an unexpected chance to finally break free and follow his dreams. But will Annie join him?

Critique: The Star Wars phenomenon inspired a slew of science fiction films in its heyday that, surprisingly enough, has continued to this day. Although the 80s produced its share of memorable films, this is one of the most appealing of the bunch. Capturing the youthful exuberance and innocence that made the Star Wars fantasy a worldwide smash. The 'once upon story' line works from the disillusioned, dreamy nature of those kids whose earthly existence leave much to be desired. Wishing they could be whisked away to another galaxy, and take part in some far-off adventure. An added bonus to the film is the pairing of the 2 young leads. Exacting the warmth and amazement of encountering such a journey, and taking their love to the infinite reaches of space.