Galaxy of Terror (1981)
[Mindwarp: An Infinity of Terror]
Director: Bruce D Clark
Starring: Edward Albert, Erin Moran, Ray Walston
Synopsis:
A rescue mission to a remote planet takes a turn for the worse as crew members get picked off one after another.
Impressions:
When listening to a discussion about Battle Beyond the Stars, this film came up and it piqued my curiosity, so I decided to check it out. While it's supposed to capitalize on Alien's fame, much like Battle Beyond the Stars and Star Wars, the motivation doesn't correspond to that much of a direct relation between the two stories. Actually, if I were to compare this to anything, I'd say it's more like Event Horizon, which is clearer when you look at the original title, and makes for a more interesting film that if it were nothing more than an Alien clone. There are some hints of interesting worldbuilding and character backstories that don't really get explored, which feels like a bit of a missed opportunity. Perhaps if the cast had been a little smaller, we could've gotten a little more depth. Once you understand the gimmick, the carnage becomes a little more intellectually stimulating, but Corman knew exactly what he was doing when he pushed for the infamous worm scene. You get to see horror icons like Robert Englund and Sid Haig among the cast and this film is notable for James Cameron's work as a production designer and the second unit director. It's a bit of a mixed bag to be sure, but if you like Roger Corman productions or want to see some of James Cameron's early work, that should be more than enough reason to give it a watch, but it isn't for everyone, so if a somewhat exploitative B-flick isn't your cup of tea, maybe think twice.
50/50