Space Raiders

Yet another rip off of StarWars in the early 80's, but who cares. The movie has space battles,cool pirates, some good acting,a great score by james horner which has been used countless times but still effective, and some comic moments(intentional and some not). Dont start watching this movie thinking its going to be a big budget, sci-fi flick, because its not. just sit down and have fun for an hour and a half. Do not take the movie seriously.

The last time I saw this movie, I was 10... hence the high rating. If I were to go back, I'm sure I'd find plot inconsistency, A horrible budget. and a touch of B acting.

The stuff most classics are made of right?

Not for the serious movie watcher. But a diamond in our scifi portfolios for those who love sci fi in all of its shame and glory.

As a kid I watched this movie with films like Ice Pirates, The Last Unicorn, ET, Battle Beyond the stars (which was made by the same company), Star Trek 1-3, Indian Jones, Old School Battlestar Galactica, Buck Rogers, and even VOLTRON!

This movie is a part of my childhood. I played with Lego's and built spaceships to have battles not unlike those in the movie right in my back yard five out seven days a week, the other two I was watching movies like this one.

It's good stuff. Right up there with the animated version of Lensman.

My cousin dragged me to see this movie in the theaters 20 years ago and I'm still talking about how awful it is. It is just so freakin' bad -- worse than the "Star Wars Holiday Special" bad. Mostly, this kid carries an alien bug around in a beer can for half the movie before releasing it on some other planet where it will undoubtedly (unbeknownest to him) either a.) die a terrible, horrible death or b.) over-run the planet's ecosystem and destroy life on the planet. BAD, BAD, BAD movie. AVOID AT ALL COSTS. IT WILL RUIN YOUR LIFE IF YOU WATCH THIS MOVIE!!! That's how terrible this steamin' pile of celluloid is. Even these strong words cannot convey to you just how unbelievably bad this "movie" is. If only I could get that time in my life back........

This is the ultimate second-hand movie. Music, props, special effects and sets from Corman's world of movies are assembled to create this coming of age tale. There are a few moments in the film that are kinda cool, though. The escape scene in the beginning of the movie is heightened by a crew member tossing a beer to the captian while he fights off attacking space ships. There were also other cinematic moments in the film that were ALMOST good but are not executed as well as they could. I guess you have to hire leftover actors when making a leftover movie. It is interesting that James Horner did the music to this movie, (actually Battle Beyond the Stars), because he is now a top film composer in Hollywood. Its good to know someone came out of this film alive.

A mercenary and his crew try to stop a robot force and return a stowaway boy to his home planet.

Directed by Howard R. Cohen, Roger Corman's production shamelessly reuses sets from his other small budget productions, also special effects and the music from Battle Beyond the Stars, and music cues from Humanoids from the Deep. Nevertheless, to Cohens credit he brings the patch work of elements together throwing in some brief stop-motion animation; and cheap alien masks.

Thom Christopher as Flightplan a psychic alien is notable alongside likeable young David Mendenhall as Peter. Memorable is Drew Snyder as Aldebarian. It rips off Star Wars and Return of the Jedi at every opportunity. But thankfully it's brisk pace, solid acting with plenty of heart makes up for Space Raiders short comings.

Overall, it's a cheap and cheerful space adventure, and even with the recycled ingredients that may take you out of the moment it flows surprisingly well.