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A Reel Life film section

Issue: 2004


Spaceballs (1987) movie review

When the princess (Daphne Zuniga) of Planet Druidia is kidnapped as part of Planet Spaceball's plan to steal her planet's air, an unlikely hero emerges.

Lone Starr (Bill Pullman) and his part canine sidekick Barf (John Candy) set out in their spacefaring recreational vehicle to rescue the princess and save the day.

Spaceballs, from the pen of Mel Brooks (with Thomas Meehan & Ronny Graham), is a satire, especially of Star Wars, but of science fiction generally. Rick Moranis as Lord Dark Helmet is a small but evil version of Darth Vader while Mel Brooks takes time off being the evil President Skroob to play the mentor Yogurt.

Movie poster, Spaceballs; Festivale film review

Movie poster, Spaceballs
May The Farce Be With You

One of Mel Brooks better film efforts, Spaceballs varies from the cunningly clever to the obvious and silly, but somehow we still want the hero to win and the bad guys to get their comeupence.

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by Ali Kayn
Australian release 10 December 1987
For credits and official site details, see below
Search Festivale for more work by the film-makers below.

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Just the facts:

Title: Spaceballs (1987)
Written by: Mel Brooks & Thomas Meehan & Ronny Graham
Directed by: Mel Brooks
running time: 94 mins
rating: PG


The Players: Mel Brooks, John Candy, Rick Moranis, Bill Pullman, Daphne Zuniga, Dick Van Patten


Official website:
IMDb entry


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