Nel profondo dello spazio

Any movie with Julie Newmar in it is at least worth one watch. She only has a bit part here in an Alien rip-off with a police procedural main plot. Charles Napier & Bo Svenson also star in this movie. Tough cop cliches and Alien cliches are mixed together (one scene from Alien is almost stolen intact) for a time-wasting romp. You might not remember it tomorrow, but it wastes 80 minutes in a not too bad way. One problem that is hopefully fixed with a blu-ray release is how absolutely dark some of the scenes are. I know this was a cheap movie & some of the effects are hidden with some darkness, but this is way over the top. You might even give it another point if you're able to see what is going on for the whole run time. As far as Alien rip-offs go, this one wan't too bad, and the story moved at a fast pace.

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.....(**)

Veteran director Fred Olen Ray and cinematographer Gary Graver prove they have the skill to put together a good low budget rip-off of Alien--but that they aren't gonna any time soon.

The movie is essentially a long string of clichés: Napier and Glass play two cops who "don't play by the book" blow up a car by shooting it, killing a perp who's "just a kid", getting suspended by their hard-ass boss (but mysteriously continuing to work nonetheless), investigating a mysterious murder which is being covered up by the military which, naturally, has been engaged in creating a super-war machine, etc. etc. etc.

Ann Turkel does an admirable job, even though she's given the thankless task of being Napier's love interest and virtually falling apart every time something happens.

Then there's this whole business of stunt casting Julie Newmar as the psychic who tells Napier where the alien is.

The frustrating thing is that, in between the nonsense, FOR shows a real talent for pacing, action and shooting on a budget. He and Graver manage to create real atmosphere in the final scenes that, even though it's directly lifted from Ridley Scott's "Alien" (note the character name "Mrs. Ridley"), complete with inexplicable smoke, light, dripping water and even strobes, it's a tantalizing look at what the two are capable of when they set their minds to it.

But as much as I was rooting for it, when Napier says (in the post-coital dialogue with Turkel) "The street is my boss. Who's yours?" I realized that the movie had landed in camp-ville, like it or not, and there it would stay.

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.

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