Deep Space

Fred Olen Ray's "Deep Space" is an obvious "Alien" ripoff. And a fun one at that! When a top-secret military experiment crash-lands and the monster inside goes around killing people, a pair of wisecracking cops (Charles Napier and Ron Glass) take it upon themselves to stop the thing. Totally predictable movie, but it's one that you gotta love. I should note that this flick doesn't contain very many of the things that teenage boys like in horror flicks, but otherwise it's got what you might expect. Basically a series of clichés, but it's a pretty enjoyable flick. Also starring Ann Turkel, Bo Svenson, and even Julie Newmar in a supporting role!* Fred Olen Ray also directed "Teenage Exorcist" and "Evil Toons" (a cross between "The Exorcist" and "Who Framed Roger Rabbit").

PS: If you recognize Charles Napier, it's probably because Jonathan Demme frequently casts him, notably as the security guard in "The Silence of the Lambs". He also appeared as the leader of the country-western band in "The Blues Brothers".

*Newmar had previously appeared in the horror flick "Evils of the Night" with Tina Louise. Yes, it was Catwoman meets Ginger Grant.

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.....(**)

An American satellite with a new biological weapon gets out of control and crashes onto US territory. A slimy monster emerges and manages to escape, killing everyone who crosses his path.

We have a great cast here, with Julie Newmar, Charles Napier and Bo Svenson. I mean, wow, good job guys, getting such a great lineup of character actors for such a disposable film. This puts "Alienator" to shame! Did you think the vine scene was eerily similar to the tree assault in "Evil Dead"? I sure did. Intentional? Maybe not, but when you are dealing with king of the B-movies, you never know when he might be ripping off "Evil Dead" or "Alien" or any other number of better-known films.

The late, great character actor Charles Napier, a favourite of filmmakers Jonathan Demme and Russ Meyer, here has one of his rare leading roles. He plays Ian McLemore, your standard-issue rule-breaking, maverick police detective. He and his partner Jerry Merris (Ron Glass of 'Barney Miller' fame) pick up the trail of a monster that's crashed to Earth. But this is no actual extraterrestrial; it's a predatory life form that was designed by the government for use as a biological weapon. Various G-men try to stymy McLemores' efforts as he vows to find and destroy the rampaging, slime-spewing creature.

Afforded a relatively bigger budget than was usual for him, veteran B movie director Fred Olen Ray shows us a pretty good time with this one. It's knowingly cheesy stuff; the actors stop short of winking for the camera, but there IS a definite tongue-in-cheek quality to the whole script (written by Ray and T.L. Lankford). Some of the lines ARE pretty dopey. And Ray & company lightly poke fun at the conventions of the genre with their inclusion of various cliches (such as the hard-driving boss (Bo Svenson) who demands results). The body count is modest, but the monster is appropriately gnarly, the pace is good, and the movie generates some genuine chuckles along the way. It also features a unique seduction scene, as McLemore literally charms the pants off of hottie cop Sandbourn (Ann Turkel, "Humanoids from the Deep") by donning a kilt and playing the bagpipes.

As was often Rays' style, he packs the cast with a number of familiar faces, some from B movies of old, like Anthony Eisley ("The Wasp Woman"), Norman Burton ("Bloodsport"), Michael Forest ("Beast from Haunted Cave"), Elisabeth Brooks (the temptress from "The Howling"), James Booth ("Avenging Force"), Fox Harris ("Repo Man"), and Rachel Howard (Chili in "Friday the 13th Part III"). Julie "Catwoman" Newmar plays a psychic lady who has to try to convince authorities that her information has merit. The engaging Napier, all full of swagger, has good chemistry with both the sexy Turkel and the amiable Glass.

"Deep Space" is no great shakes, but then it's not even *trying* to be. It's merely good, straightforward entertainment that gives fans of the genre a good show for 91 reasonable minutes.

Seven out of 10.

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