Enemy Mine - Geliebter Feind

I hate being nostalgic about movies, but I do remember a time when imagination was evident in every part of a production, when film posters were dynamic, visceral and iconic, when films looked like they were shot on film and not an HD camera with a sunset tint, when scores were done by orchestras instead of synthesizers and death metal guitars and, most important of all, when the lack of CGI technology forced the filmmakers into achieving visual effects through more practical means. The 1980s were filled with such movies and, looking back, I am glad that I grew up in that decade. Children now are exposed to altogether soulless movies.

Set in the late 21st Century, Enemy Mine has humans reaching out into the depths of space after achieving world peace. But a rival species, the alien race of the Drax, don't take to kindly to humans poking about the galaxy and an interstellar war kicks off. A human pilot (Dennis Quaid) and a lone Drac (Louis Gossett Jnr.) crash land on a remote desert planet and learn, the hard way, to stick together if they want to survive. Despite their ultimate conflict they discover that they are not all that different from each other and neither yet both are to blame for the war.

Enemy Mine suffered from severe problems during production. Apparently the original director, Richard Longcraine (Wimbledon, Richard III), shot the entire film on location in Iceland before being replaced by Wolfgang Petersen who re-shot the whole film all over again but changed the story somewhat in the process. So, in reality, there are two completely different versions of Enemy Mine. One which was released into cinemas that has become a classic in its own right and another that only exists in the vaults of Twentieth Century Fox. I would love to see this alternate cut.

The fantastic photography and production design look very, very good for a film from 1985. Some of the effect shots and matte paintings are simply gorgeous and the cutting between desert locations and desert sets is almost seamless. This isn't like an episode of the original Star Trek series in which the cast simply take a half hour drive to a bit of desert outside of LA, the desert locations with the matte painting backgrounds look utterly authentic.

If you like the look and feel of films like The Dark Crystal and Labyrinth then you'll appreciate the fantasy of Enemy Mine. I know I am going to sound like an old coot but they just don't make films like this anymore. Everything these days seems to be geared towards the average ASBO teenage boy. In ten years time I honestly think that films will be no more than a test card that offends and stimulates no one.

I will consider myself lucky that films like this were once made and that they were a part of my formative years.

This outer space-opera buddy movie deals about earthlings and aliens facing a fierce fight . Two futuristic contenders a Draconian(Louis Gossett Jr) and a human(Dennis Quaid) dogfighting over the skies in their aircrafts .When the mortal space enemies are gunned down, they are stranded together into a faraway barren planet. They're forced to become friends and rely on one another in order to survive. The enemies, earthman and reptilian alien survive on hostile world facing enslavers foes(usual nasty Brion James).

This warmhearted Sci-Fi story packs noisy action, intrigue, space battles and good feeling . The cuddly story relies heavily on the continued relationship the two protagonists, however is quite amusing. Sensational and perceptible acting by Louis Gossett in spite of the mask and makeup by Chris Wallas(The fly), furthermore he must speak with purring. Spectacular production design by Rolf Zehelbauer(Cabaret, Odessa file, and he's Fassbinder's usual). Colorful and appropriate cinematography by Tony Imi. Wonderful music score by Maurice Jarre, though uses synthesizer, he's a classic musician and habitual of David Lean(Laurence of Arabia,Dr. Zhivago,Ryan's daughter). The motion picture is directed with sensibility by Wolfgang Petersen , a German working in Hollywood who achieved many hits, before(Das boot,Neverending story), like after( Troy, Perfect storm,Airforce one,Outbreak). Rating: Good, above average.

"Enemy Mine" takes place in the future, when humankind no longer wages war among its own, but now does battle with an alien race called the Dracs. Dennis Quaid is Davidge, a fighter pilot who crashes on a remote planet while engaged in battle with a Drac (Louis Gossett, Jr.). The Drac has survived its own crash landing, and the two opponents are initially hostile and mistrustful towards one another. But they realize that they will have to rely on each other in order to continue surviving. Over time, they become friends.

An unfortunate box-office flop in its time, this charming, likeable film can be seen as an 80s sci-fi update of the 1968 classic "Hell in the Pacific". Its themes come through loud and clear: we should at least try to appreciate each other, and celebrate our differences, and not be quick to make judgments. The story can be seen as a metaphor for any sort of bigotry, and the path to understanding. Ultimately, it can't help but become a little too precious; still, it's solidly entertaining as it manipulates the emotions and delivers the thrills.

Quaid and Gossett play this superbly. Reunited two years after "Jaws 3-D", they share a great chemistry all the way down the line. They make their scenes alternately tense, touching, and also humorous. Yes, the film does have a light touch at times, especially when the Drac (whom Davidge nicknames "Jerry") is led to believe that Mickey Mouse is some great mind back on Earth!

Wolfgang Petersen does a commendable job with the direction, as he follows up his smashing North American debut feature, "The NeverEnding Story". But the two gentlemen who really need to take a bow are production designer / art director / matte artist Rolf Zehetbauer and makeup effects creator Chris Walas. Zehetbauer creates an amazing look for this production; filmed both in German studios and on location in the Canary Islands, it actually looks like it's taking place on another planet. And Walas' reptilian-like makeup is most impressive.

With soaring music by Maurice Jarre, a typically fun supporting performance by notable screen heavy Brion James, two cool creature species (one predator, one prey), and excellent widescreen photography, this makes for quite an engaging show. At least it did manage to find an audience later on video.

Seven out of 10.

A funny thing happened to me on the way to the video store...I ran across a sci-fi film that didn't rely on space battles, incredible special effects, or magnificent sets and costumes. Instead, it relies on a touching and compelling human story of survival, hate and conflict - and of bitter enemies becoming unlikely allies and, eventually, close friends.

"Enemy Mine" is one of the ten best "forgotten" sci-fi classics - those rare little gems that got overlooked on their initial release, but live on in video release.

Practically abandoned at the box office, "Enemy Mine" found new life on video among fans of the kind of science fiction we only read about as kids - stories that expanded our horizons and made use look at the world in a whole new way, not just wowing us with their dazzling effects.

It is the story of hotshot starfighter pilot Willis Davidge (Dennis Quaid) who, after a dogfight with the reptilian, alien Drac, is stranded on a hostile planet with one of the enemy. At first blinded by their hatred of each other, the pair soon learn that they can only survive by working together. By doing so, they develop a strange friendship that helps break the wall of distrust between enemies.

If you get the chance to check out "Enemy Mine", give it a chance. It's not likely to go down in history as the best sci-fi movie ever made, but it does have heart.

Maybe I'm dating myself here, but this movie is more than just a movie for me -- it's a childhood memory. My dad (Who raised me on a steady diet of scifi) and I probably watched this movie eight times together before I turned nine, and so part of my love for it stems from the memory of those times together.

But "Enemy Mine" has a lot more going for it than just fond memories. Sure, the effects are pretty bad by *today's* standards (it was the 80's, 95% of Americans didn't even *have* personal computers yet, and by the standards of the day those effects were pretty darn impressive!) But the story of two people who were trained to be enemies slowly becoming not just friends, but brothers, rings true despite the passage of time. (As Jerry [Lou Gossett, Jr.] says, "Truth is truth.") Lou Gossett, Jr. and Dennis Quaid are delightful, as always. And the scenes of Davidge (Quaid) interacting with Jerry's "son" are priceless.

People tend to knock 80's movies, especially 80's scifi movies, as being frivolous, self-centered and silly (like the decade they came from). But "Enemy Mine" definitely doesn't deserve this fate. It is a well-acted, well-meaning movie with a message we could all benefit from listening to.

Skybright's Score: 7.5 out of 10