Title: Spaceballs
Debut: 1987
Rating: PG
Starring: Mel Brooks, John Candy, Rick Moranis
Directed by: Mel Brooks
Summary: Planet Spaceball’s President Skroob sends Lord Dark Helmet to steal Planet Druidia’s abundant supply of air to replenish their own, and only Lone Starr can stop them. (Sound familiar?)
What we fondly remember: Ah, Spaceballs. I remember watching this in about 9th or 10th grade while hanging out at this older guy’s house. (I think he may have been a senior…gasp.) I thought he was the coolest, so I also pretended I thought Spaceballs was the funniest, though I honestly found it basically stupid. Charlie, on the other hand, loved it then (and loves it now), so maybe this is yet another ‘guy’ flick?
What was refreshing: I think the thing about Spaceballs is, you either love it or are simply blah about it. As I said, I fall in the latter category, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have redeeming qualities. It’s a great introduction to Mel Brooks’ movies, and it’s a great ‘first parody’ for kids who are familiar with the Star Wars series. It’s pretty clean, though my favorite part is also it’s most inappropriate (the lengthy a**hole discussion).
Kids’ Review: Another win in the kid column! The boys found it hi-lar-i-ous. It really helped that all of them, even Toby, ‘got’ the Star Wars parallels. Add in action, goofy characters, bad jokes, and clever dialogue, and every male in my house was a happy camper. Yours will be, too.
Want more after the credits roll? Catch up on past reviews here!
