It wasn't like I went in expecting much from this viewing, but by the end I was left rather disappointed with its jumbled and insignificant direction. The ambition is there (on that windy slipstream idea), but it could've done with a little more story coherence with its post-apocalyptic futuristic chase concept. Well meaning, but flat and struck down by a leaden script that leans more to a moralistic self-discovery journey. There's a lot of flying, a lot of chit-chat and cue in that score for maximum impact. Elmer Bernstein's music is adventurously grand and airy, but at times overpowering. The strikingly vast and desolate Turkey locations are well-shot, especially the aerial positioning. Director Steven Lisberger formulates few impressive and rousing set-pieces and gets a dingy atmosphere that fits in with look and feel. The budget is kept tight, as it dispenses with anything zesty and keeps on cruise control. Maybe it fell a tad too long.
However what's there to say when a bleached and fully bearded Mark Hamill performance (a terrific turn too) as a torrid lawman was one of the main reasons I was kept glued. Well that tells a lot! Although the cast is surprisingly strong and totally game. A shaggy Bill Paxton slums it, but his charismatic appeal and jovial attitude amuses. Bob Peck manages to emit class, even though his performance is bland (that's mainly down to his android character) and over-sentimental. But this doesn't make you think any less. Kitty Aldridge is fetchingly biting and cynical as Hamill's cop partner. There's also enthusiastic support by Robbie Coltrane, Ben Kingsley, F. Murray Abraham and Susan Leong.
Instead of being an under-seen minor sci-fi gem, it's a modest throwaway that gains some interest.
However what's there to say when a bleached and fully bearded Mark Hamill performance (a terrific turn too) as a torrid lawman was one of the main reasons I was kept glued. Well that tells a lot! Although the cast is surprisingly strong and totally game. A shaggy Bill Paxton slums it, but his charismatic appeal and jovial attitude amuses. Bob Peck manages to emit class, even though his performance is bland (that's mainly down to his android character) and over-sentimental. But this doesn't make you think any less. Kitty Aldridge is fetchingly biting and cynical as Hamill's cop partner. There's also enthusiastic support by Robbie Coltrane, Ben Kingsley, F. Murray Abraham and Susan Leong.
Instead of being an under-seen minor sci-fi gem, it's a modest throwaway that gains some interest.