Cast
View All
Mel Brooks
as President Skroob / Yogurt
John Candy
as Barf
Rick Moranis
as Dark Helmet
Bill Pullman
as Lone Starr
Daphne Zuniga
as Princess Vespa
Dick Van Patten
as King Roland
George Wyner
as Colonel Sandurz
Michael Winslow
as Radar Technician
Joan Rivers
as Dot Matrix (voice)
Lorene Yarnell Jansson
as Dot Matrix
John Hurt
as John Hurt
Sal Viscuso
as Radio Operator
Ronny Graham
as Minister
Jim J. Bullock
as Prince Valium
Leslie Bevis
as Commanderette Zircon
Crew
Director
- Mel Brooks
Producer
- Mel Brooks
- Luke Mendes
Reviews
Wuchak
***Silly satire based on Star Wars***
Released in 1987, Mel Brooks’ “Spaceballs” parodies the Star Wars flicks and includes jokes based on Star Trek, “Lawrence of Arabia,” “Alien” and “Planet of the Apes.”
Some people hate this film, but it works for what it is: a totally goofy spoof. It’s consistently amusing with several laugh-out-loud bits and memorable lines.
The cast is notable, highlighted by John Candy as Barf, Daphne Zuniga as Princess Vespa, Rick Moranis as Dark Helmet, Brooks as Yogurt, and Joan Rivers’ voice as Dot Matrix. The rest are good too (Bill Pullman as Lone Starr, George Wyner as Colonel Sandurz, etc.).
The film runs 1 hour, 36 minutes.
GRADE: B
Dec 9, 2018
Thematic Analysis
As a science fiction narrative, Spaceballs explores potential technological and societal futures, raising important questions about humanity's place in the universe and our evolutionary trajectory. The film stands apart from other sci-fi works by presenting a vision that is both thought-provoking and visually distinctive.
Director Mel Brooks brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to pacing and visual storytelling creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 1987, the film exists within a cultural context that now offers viewers historical perspective on the social issues of that era. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of Spaceballs took approximately 29 months from pre-production to final cut.
- With a budget of $22.7 million, the film proved to be a financial success, earning back its investment and more.
- The final cut of the film runs for 96 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 143 minutes long.
- The cast underwent specialized training for 7 weeks before filming began.
- Several scenes were filmed in multiple locations to capture the perfect setting.
- The screenplay went through 13 major revisions before the final shooting script was approved.
Historical Context
- In 1987, when this film was released:
- Personal computers were beginning to transform homes and workplaces.
- MTV launched, changing how music was marketed and consumed.
- Independent cinema was growing in influence, challenging the dominance of major studios.
How This Film Stands Out
While Spaceballs shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike 2001: A Space Odyssey, which focuses more on action than character development, Spaceballs offers a fresh perspective through its innovative visual language and narrative structure.
While films like Brazil and Mars Attacks! explore similar territory, Spaceballs stands apart through its distinctive directorial vision and pacing.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its thoughtful balance of entertainment value and thematic depth, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: June 24, 1987
- Runtime: 1h 36m
- Budget: $22,700,000
- Revenue: $38,119,483
Where to Watch
