Slipstream

Slipstream is far better than the review rankings indicate. The film is a nice break from today's frayed sci-fi kill the monster or be killed plot lines. Slipstream fits in more with the likes of Asimov, Bradbury, or Dick. Sure, there are some familiar plot points like a dystopian near future, environmental devastation, societal collapse, human movements back into nature (actually, sounds a bit like right now, huh?). Intriguing, though, is the common mode of transport, ultralights. With the shifting of the jet stream to cover more of the planet and closer to the surface, the pilots use these "slipstreams" to get around as ground transport is nearly obsolete. And these elements are kept nicely in the background, providing a tapestry for the story, which is a basic cop chase, double crosses, introspection, and interesting character (one of which is an android) interactions. It is worth watching the film for the flying scenes and the key exterior locations alone -- Cappadoccia, Turkey, and Malham Rocks UK. Director Steven Lisberger (Tron), Music Elmer Bernstein, Cast includes Bob Peck, Mark Hamill, Kitty Aldridge, Bill Paxton, Robbie Coltrane, Ben Kingsley, F. Murray Abraham? Come on! Get it!

To read some comments on this movie you'd think it was a 1989 version of The Avengers (ie, really bad). I saw it at the Odeon Leicester Square in London on the first (and probably only week) of release. With good stereo and in the right surroundings I thought it was a great, highly different vision of the future. Yes, there was a lot of Mad Max in there and okay some of the visual effects were a little ropey, but it did at least boast two of my fave actors - the late, great Bob Peck and a pre-Titanic Bill Paxton. The 10 years since it was made has seen scant screenings on British TV or otherwise. A pity as there are some great moments such as the scene where Paxton attempts to rescue Peck from a kite (I kid you not) and the moody finale which was intriguing. On the whole, well made, erratic entertainment that loses everything on the small screen but features some interesting ideas, even if not all of it works. And compared to The Avengers, it looks like the greatest movie ever made.

I remember the release of this movie way back in 1989, mainly as it saw the return of Mark Hamill to the big screen after an absence of 6 years (Jedi being his last movie). I also remember the poster proudly highlighting that it was produced by Gary Kurtz, producer of Star Wars episodes 4 and 5. Unfortunately, no one seemed to care about these "selling" points and mediocre reviews ensured that the film was ignored and was not even given a US release. It took almost 10 years before it got its British TV premiere (tucked well into the late night schedule) , but I didn't hesitate to give the film a look. Surprisingly, I actually enjoyed this movie and it's far from being one of the worst films ever, as some of the previous comments have made out.

The main players in the film put in some good performances, especially the late great Bob Peck for whose character I did manage to feel sympathy for and care about thanks to his acting skills. A bearded, peroxide blonde Mark Hamill gives a terrifically sinister bad guy performance as the unrelenting cop, albeit a little OTT. You could sense Hamill clearly loved being on the "dark side" for once. Bill Paxton gets most of the action and does a reasonable job. Cameos, from Ben Kingsley and F.Murray Abraham add some class to the credits. Also look out for Robbie 'Cracker' Coltrane.

Story wise (essentially a chase movie) it is highly unoriginal, borrowing heavily from Blade Runner and Midnight Run, all done in a futuristic Mad Max style. It does tend to meander in places, leaving the viewer a little disorientated. However, my interest was sustained mainly due to the strange character played by Peck. Unfortunately, his character wasn't explored adequately, and I was left wanting to know more about him and his past. Indeed, the story is underdeveloped and incomplete. The movie doesn't hide the fact that it is trying to convey some sort of message about humanity and the future with religious undertones.

Special effects and action scenes left a lot to be desired; the shoot out in the forest was very shoddily done (one of the worst I've seen). The aircraft looked like large Air Fix models and the flying shots looked unrealistic and rushed. I suspect full use of special effects available at the time were not utilised due to budget constraints. It almost feels like a T.V movie despite the cast and experienced crew. However, a mention must go to the kite scene, which is very well done and is quite exciting. It's probably the highlight of the film. The final action scene is good too, rounded off with an optimistic feel good ending and a rousing Elmer Bernstein score as the credits roll. The locations are used effectively and go some way to make up for the poor special effects.

Slipstream, is an all but virtually forgotten British Sci-Fi movie and it appears it will stay that way. Pity really, as it's a decent effort, with an interesting, if unoriginal story and good acting. Refreshingly, the makers have avoided any wanton violence and gore. If you are in the least bit interested in Sci-Fi try and watch this film if you come across this in the video store, or if comes on T.V, if only to see Hamill ham it up and play a bad guy. You could do a lot worse than this.

6 out of 10.

Compared with todays frenetic, kinetic, fast cutting, CGI laden crap this actually holds up fairly well.

I liked the actors, I liked the characters (each with a clear motivation) and I liked the settings. It was well shot, well edited and well written. And you know what, the story held my interest. Not like a lot of what I see today (story often gets lost over a 'great shot' or pointless effect).

Yes, the special fx are very 80's with some matte lines but I am very forgiving about that, this film is over 20 years old after all. Like the original Star Wars Trilogy (before George tinkered with it again, and again, and again), this film is best enjoyed with all it's flaws.

A simple film, well told story and great characters. A really good family film.

A lot of people have panned Slipstream because it is boring and lumbering, which is true to some extent. The movie is pretty good for the first 45 minutes or so, then hits a wall and gets really stupid, until finally it ends well. I enjoyed this film, flaws and all. I liked the look of the film, and the atmosphere. I liked how the characters moved through this broken down civilization where cops are more killers than anybody else. The plot involves an adventurer who kidnaps a fugitive from a bounty hunter in hopes of turning him in and collecting the ransom for himself. What he doesn't know is that the bounty hunter (Mark Hamill, in his best post-Star Wars role) is now coming after him. If the movie had stayed on this storyline the entire movie it would have been a truly enjoyable film. Unfortunately, it goes off in many different directions and becomes convoluted. I just wish that the writers could have come up with a better script, one that didn't wander and one that was clever and interesting.

Nevertheless, I did like this film. I really got into the characters. The late Bob Peck plays the fugitive, who doesn't seem the least bit dangerous, despite the fact that he supposedly killed a man (There is a twist pertaining to this character, but I won't reveal it, even though nobody will care). Peck will be recognized by most as the hunter from Jurassic Park. He was a good actor, and I'm disappointed that he was not in more films. Bill Paxton's character is a little shallow but still likable. Hamill is also good as the bounty hunter. These characters prevent the film from becoming an all-out bore. The haunting score by Elmer Bernstein also helps.

My favorite scene was when Paxton first captures Peck and both are flying through the Slipstream for the first time. This scene is full of wonder and is shot perfectly. I only wish the rest of the film were like this. I would really have liked it then. It could have been a classic. As it is though, it is just a lesser known vehicle with moments that are better than the whole. I recommend it to anyone, but it might be too boring for some. If you fast forward some stuff, then it might help.