Il mio nemico

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.

I saw this movie way, way back then - in the "before" time. Before there were computer generated special effects that took over everything and anything about a sci-fi movie. When I watched it then, I really enjoyed it. Having just watched it again, I still enjoy it. It's a well done piece of sci-fi. In fact, it certainly has to rank among the better sci- fi movies of the 80's if only because it's so different from most, and much more thoughtful. Outer space movies tend to be be heavy on inter- stellar battles between space ships, and futuristic weapons - and usually it's at the expense of story. "Enemy Mine" limits those and focuses much more heavily on story line and character development and becomes much more satisfying as a result.

The two leads are great. Dennis Quaid is the lead character, as Willis Davidge - he's a space fighter pilot who crash lands on a strange world after a battle and finds himself stranded with one of his opponents - a lizard-like Drac named Jeriba, played by Lou Gossett, Jr. Humans and Dracs have been at war with each other ever since humans started exploring the galaxy, and discovered the Dracs already there. Davidge and Jeriba are hostile to each other at first, seeking to capture and/or kill each other, but gradually they realize that to survive in this hostile environment, they're going to have to learn to co-operate, and eventually co-operation turns to friendship between them. You really couldn't ask for better performances than those given by Quaid and Gossett.

Set in the late 21st century, the movie nevertheless alludes to older problems. You think of racism as you see human "scavengers" enslaving captured Dracs, and there are clear shades of the Cold War (this was the 80's, after all) in the idea of two resolutely opposed individuals trying to learn to get along with each other. "Enemy Mine" is sometimes sad, but almost always hopeful, as it demonstrates that even between the fiercest and most seemingly dissimilar of foes, there's usually not that much difference. Truly a must-see from the 80's. (7/10)

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.

Relatively recent sci-fi blockbusters like The Matrix and Independence Day can't compare to a quality film like Enemy Mine. The movie is an exciting story of two marooned enemy space soldiers. They are indoctrinated with hate for each other's species, yet forced to live together to survive. Sound familiar?

The two soldiers learn to overcome their brainwashing about each other and learn to respect and love each other like brothers. What can be wrong with that? True moral story-telling ala the tv series "Star Trek".

The story keeps your interest with good special effects and space adventure on another world. The acting is very, very good. As many others have already noted, an overlooked and underrated film. Only the most jaded or immature could not find this an enjoyable movie. Highly recommend seeing it!

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