Flash Gordon (1980) * * *

Directed by:  Mike Hodges

Starring:  Sam J. Jones, Max von Sydow, Melody Anderson, Topol, Brian Blessed, Timothy Dalton, Ornella Muti, Mariangela Melato

Flash Gordon plays like a campy homage to the 1930's serials and thus stands out.     Released shortly after The Empire Strikes Back, no one could have blamed the filmmakers for attempting to duplicate Star Wars, but I think the visual approach and tone are correct here.     It doesn't take itself seriously.    Problems plagued the production to the point director Mike Hodges called the movie, "a $28 million improvisation".     Some of the visuals were cheesy, even by 1980 standards, but it adds to the unique experience rather than detract from it.   

Flash Gordon (Jones) is a blond beefcake New York Jets quarterback mixed up in intergalactic intrigue along with future girlfriend Dale Arden (Anderson) and Dr. Hans Zarkov (Topol), who thinks he knows why the Earth is suddenly experiencing bizarre weather, a shift in the moon's orbit, and a total solar eclipse.     The Earth is under attack by Emperor Ming (von Sydow), merciless ruler of a distant world.     Flash, Dale, and Zarkov travel there to stop the attack, but not before NASA declares "these recent events are no cause for alarm."   

The world of Mongo, which Ming rules over with an iron first, is forever besieged by in-fighting between Prince Barin (Dalton), who covets Ming's sexy daughter (Muti) and Prince Vultan (Blessed), who commands an army of flying hawk men.     Flash, after plot complications too numerous to recap, organizes the warring parties to ally together and fight Ming as he prepares to marry Dale (whom he imprisons as a concubine).     The wedding official asks Ming, "Do you promise not to expel her into space before such time as you've grown weary of her?"    Swell guy, this Ming, and von Sydow being the pro he is carries off the role with his usual gravitas. 

The sets and visual effects are not of Star Wars caliber, to be sure, but are not a distraction.    There are plenty of verbal and visual gags, such as a rocket flying by Ming's palace with a banner reading, "Be merry under penalty of death."    Or something to that effect.     Flash Gordon maintains its goofy tone, which isn't a hindrance but rather refreshing.     Think of it as a cheaper Star Wars with roots dating back to the 1930's serials starring Buster Crabbe.

The movie underperformed at the box office, possibly because moviegoers were weary of sci-fi action films and Star Wars ripoffs by then.    It is easy to write off Flash Gordon as either type of film, but you would be denying yourself an enjoyable time.    Plus, the Queen score and songs are good too.