Deep Space (1988) starring Charles Napier, Ann Turkel, Ron Glass, Julie Newmar
The question is not, is Deep Space a cheesy rip-off of Aliens? — because, of course, it is. The question is, how did these actors get into a movie this bad?
Synopsis of Deep Space
The American military has developed a biological weapon that they keep in orbit around the Earth — until it crashes, and the creature inside starts going on a murder spree, until a pair of stereotypical police detectives track it down with the aid of a “psychic”, facing it in a final confrontation.
Review of Deep Space
That doesn’t sound too bad, does it? Except, that the movie is a non-stop string of cliches. And a colossal waste of talent. Ron Glass (Barney Miller) is the grounded police detective. He tries to keep his partner Charles Napier from getting thrown off the force for his flagrant disregard for the rules. Julie Newmar (Batman) is the “psychic” who keeps calling the detectives with tips on stopping the monsters. Ann Turkel is the “don’t treat me like a damsel in distress” female police officer — who reverts to acting like a helpless damsel in distress at every opportunity. And who jumps into Charles Napier’s bed on their first date, because what female can resist a bagpipe solo?
Seriously.
There are three monsters in total, each of which “wakes up” inside their pod and proceeds to kill various people. The victims range from young people on a date, to a forensic scientist murdered inside the police station, to the final confrontation. All three look like the cheap rip-off of Alien that this movie was made to cash in on.
What’s there to recommend Deep Space? Frankly, nothing. It’s rated R, with lots of gore, violence, near-nudity. None of which replaces script, plot, acting or direction.
Haven’t I seen you someplace before?
- Charles Napier – Rambo: First Blood part II, Silence of the Lambs, The Blues Brothers
- Ann Turkel – Deja Vu, Humanoids from the Deep, The Cassandra Crossing
- Ron Glass – Barney Miller, Serenity, Lakeview Terrace
- Julie Newmar – Batman, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Mackenna’s Gold
