Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai (1984)

[mabuse]

;D
One of the finest cult-films of the 1980s, which is why 20th Century Fox botched the release, just-like "Freaked" (1993). For sheer-lunacy and inspiring creativity, this is as-good-as-it-gets. The characters are so funny (especially Dr. Emilio Lizardo, played by John Lithgow to-perfection). A film that emphasizes genuine TEAM-WORK, sadly-missing from most stories these-days. A film that knows no cynicism, a warmly-human tale!
Also: great criticisms and mockings of Cold War politics, American Military contractors ("Yo-Yo-Dyne Propulsion," which Robert Anton Wilson claims to have seen written on a building in NEW JERSEY), connecting Orson Welles' 1938 "War of the Worlds" broadcast with a REAL alien-invasion in the storyline, Jeff Goldblum being a ham at his peak, a send-up of Fascism in Dr. Lizardo, and so much more. A great film that challenges people to be MORE, to aspire to be good at what they are good at. Great film for kids, too.
Wes Anderson's "Life Aquatic" tips its hat to "Buckaroo Banzai" in few-spots, especially with the Goldblum-casting and the end-credits, trust me. They sure don't make em' like they used-to. W.D. Richter's (wrote Big Trouble in Little China) MAGNUM-OPUS!
Best-message of the film: believe-in-yourself, trust-yourself and other ordinary-people and take-charge of this world from incompetent, greedy rulers! Be a leader amongst leaders! So mote it be.

[Phoenix]

I have never even heard of this film! My dad said that it is more for the 30+ crowd and that perhaps I wouldn't enjoy it as much considering it came out when I was five. I will endeavor to look for it though on your recommendation. Has anyone else seen this?

A little bit about the movie:
Buckaroo Banzai is a rock-star/brain-surgeon / comic-book-hero/samurai/ etc who along with his group, the Hong Kong Cavaliers, must stop evil creatures from the 8th dimension (all named John) who are trying to conquer our dimension. He is helped by Penny Pretty, who is a dead ringer for his ex-wife, and some good extra-dimensional beings who look and talk like they are from Jamaica.

Stars: Peter Weller, John Lithgow, Ellen Barkin, Jeff Goldblum, Christopher Lloyd

[Pulpmariachi]

I loved that scene in Life Aquatic at the end where they all walk out Buckaroo Bonzai style.

That was added because Jeff Goldblum was cast, though. But saying that Jeff Goldblum was cast in a movie is like saying it's a reference to Jurassic Park where he plays the rich hog, too, and also ends up getting fucked up. But KUDOS to Anderson for putting that in there.

As for Buckaroo Bonzai, it's quite possibly one of the most fun cult movies ever.

[mabuse]

But saying that Jeff Goldblum was cast in a movie is like saying it's a reference to Jurassic Park where he plays the rich hog, too, and also ends up getting fucked up.

This sentence is so very DADAIST, but I was able to decipher it...I think. ;D

[Pulpmariachi]

I'm not sure what I even wrote.

Point being: They added Buckaroo Bonzai walking at the end of Life Aquatic after Jeff Goldblum was cast.

By the way, which was released first? Buckaroo Bonzai or The Fly?

[mabuse]

Buckaroo Banzai was released--poorly--in 1984, the Fly was released in 1986. I am looking-forward to "A History of Violence," "Spider" was excellent Cronenberg. He's getting better all-the-time!

[mabuse]

"Bonzai"? Isn't that a Japanese tree? There you go-again with that off-the-wall arty-talk! ;D

[danielk]

I loves me the BB. That dialogue exchange: "What's that watermelon doing there?" "Later! Come on!" is the key to the whole narrative style of the film. It starts in the middle of something and keeps throwing weird details at you until you give up.