THE ADVENTURES OF BUCKAROO BANZAI ACROSS THE 8TH DIMENSION (W.D. Richter, 1984, USA)

A frenetically puerile comic book adventure, BUCKAROO BANZAI successfully travels across the 8th dimension of serious science fiction and campy action flick. This would make a great double feature with John Carpenter’s BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA. Buckaroo is a world renowned brain surgeon, race car driver, scientist, adventurer, and rock star….from New Jersey. There is really a rather intelligent and often convoluted plot involving Orson Welles and the original War of the Worlds radio broadcast, Red and black Lectroids from Planet Ten, an Oscillation Overthruster, the United States Government Weapons Program, nuclear extortion, Penny Priddy (the secret twin of Buckaroo’s deceased wife), the Radar Rangers, The Rug Suckers, The Blue Blaze Irregulars, Nova Police and the Hong Kong Cavaliers. And we can’t forget Jeff Goldblum in his blazing red shirt and chaps!

B. Banzai follows in his father's tire tracks and races through solid rock and into the 8th Dimension, where volatile life exists between the vast spaces of atoms and quarks. These evil creatures from Planet 10, once justly imprisoned by their peers, now seek to steal Banzai's Oscillation Overthruster and escape to their home world to wreak havoc and imbibe of cruel cold revenge. When Buckaroo stumbles into this vast conspiracy, he must save the Earth from nuclear anarchy and Planet 10 from genocide. Or something like that.

This audacious amalgam of genre conventions is successful because it takes itself seriously and refuses to be self-referencing: there are no subtle nods or winks towards the audience to break the illusion. The actors and director play it straight with ironic humor and crosscutting suspense. The attention to set detail and characters makes this zany world seem larger than the screen; we accept that even the President is awed by this New World Man. John Lithgow’s performance as the possessed Dr. Lizardo is gleefully berserk but perfectly within character of the demented and deranged scientist. The plot develops quickly and the catapults towards the violent conclusion leaving the audience a bit dazed and breathless not sure what to expect around the next corner. The dated synthesizer score (and wardrobe!) adds an 80’s pop culture veneer to this madcap adventure. Unfortunately, the Buckaroo Banzai sequel was never filmed: now that’s a crime!

Final Grade: (B)