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My review was written in April 1988 after watching the movie on TWE video cassette.

Something went wrong with "Deep Space", a horror send-up that reportedly went through extensive post-production reshooting and tinkering before its recent direct-to-video release. Finished product doesn't fit its title in the slightest.

Both Chales Napier and Ron Glass are typecast as a couple of L. A. police detectives, partnered on a case when a monster from Outer Space crash lands and starts killing people. The monster was created by U. S. scientists for military research that went awry, with project director James Booth feeling the heat from his supervisor, a general played by Norman Burton.\ Pic is essentially a too literal, tired homage to Ridley Scott's modern classic "Alien", which already has been the model of several alien-on-Earth cheapies such as "Scared to Death" and "Alien Contamination".

Helmer Fred Olen Ray goes to absurd lengths to mimic "Alien", including a scene of a guard calling for his kitty cat which is staged identically, the monster dripping KY jelly. It striking with the same rapid movement (but ropelike tentacles), having a young version that is shaped like an oversize scorpion (instead of the octopus look) and even a variaton of the chest-burster scene. It's all silly, not funny or scary.

Cast includes numerous unimpressive cameos, including erstwhiel "Li'l Abner" star Peter Palmer popping up as a fellow copo; he has no scenes with his one-time co-star Julie Newmar, however. Lead players are okay, maintaining a flippant attitude. The monster vaguely resembles the beastie inserted at the climax of Jacques Tournueur's classic "Night of the Demon", and Napier ultimately wields a chainsaw against it.

Maverick detectives Ian McLemore (Charles Napier) and Jerry Merris (Ron Glass) find a routine investigation of the death of two teenagers takes a twist when they discover the killer is some kind of mutant alien thingy created by the U.S. Government. Naturally, whatever they do pisses off Capt. Robertson (Bo Svenson, proving he really isn't Napier in real life) and interferes with McLemore's plans on bedding young police woman Carla Sandbourn (Ann Turkel). Just kidding, he has mad bag piping skills that get her to take her clothes off (really!). This low-rent ALIEN rip-off from Fred Olen Ray works mostly due to the lead performance by Napier. He is genuinely funny and totally game for the crazy stuff he is asked to do (chasing mini-aliens around L.A.; chainsawing the monster in the finale). And the aforementioned seduction by bagpipe is truly something you've never seen before. Ray skimps on the gore and nudity (odd for him) but does deliver a nice gooey monster (which apparently comes with its own strobe light). Julie Newmar pops up for a few scenes as a psychic who is always calling McLemore with tips on where the alien is. Nice way to cover your holes, Fred.

Obvious "Alien" rip off, "Deep Space" is a lighthearted monster on the loose romp, which is notable for it's fun casting. Charles Napier, who is almost always playing the bad guy, truly surprises here with his excellent wise cracking cop performance. True, the story is familiar, but the script is secondary to the funny dialog. One highlight for sure is a seduction by bagpipes scene that is not to be missed, with Ann Turkel even providing a wee bit of skin. Even the monster itself creates chuckles, with it's "Silly String" tentacles lassoing victims into it's very "Alien" like jaws. For those who appreciate low budget winners, "Deep Space" will not disappoint. Anyone expecting a terrifying space alien is advised to look elsewhere. - MERK

A cut-rate imitation of "Alien" that has an air of sloppiness about it (the script could have been written over a weekend probably), but delivers the goods in the end with some good buzzsaw action and lots of slime. Problem is, it's STILL not particularly better than any other of the dozens of "Alien" ripoffs that are floating around.....(**)

A Government experiment from space just landed somewhere in L.A., it's a horde of alien pods that unleashes monstrous baby creatures including one huge mother-^%&$^%&* that go around the city killing people in the alleys and neighborhoods, it's up to a rookie cop ( played by Charles Napier from "Jury Duty", " Rambo-First Blood part II" and " Silence of the Lambs") to stop these monsters.

Pretty much decent for a low-budget Sci-fi flick that changes the whole Cops-and-Robbers theme to Cops-and-Aliens instead, some of the acting is stiff but there is a good apperence by Batman: The Series's Julie Newmar and a cool looking more that makes this an entertaining movie worth checking out.

If you liked " Return of the Aliens: The Deadly Spawn" and " Bad Taste" then this is for you.

6/10.