Main Cast: Peter Weller, John Lithgow, Ellen Barkin, Jeff Goldblum, Christopher Lloyd
Release Year: 1984
Country: US
Run Time: 103 minutes
Plot
Despite mixed reviews and a disastrous initial release that dumped the film into theaters for a week in the midst of the 1984 Summer Olympics, The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the Eight Dimension went on to become one of the major cult films of the 1980s, developing a rabid following after its release on videotape. Drifting between satire and improbable sci-fi adventure, the film stars Peter Weller as Buckaroo Banzai, the son of an American mother and Japanese father who is a combination physicist, neurosurgeon, martial arts master, secret agent, and rock star who travels with his band of assistants/backing musicians, The Hong Kong Cavaliers. As the story opens, Buckaroo is driving his car through a mountain to test his new invention, the Oscillation Overthruster. However, a race of boorish aliens called the Red Lectroids have been waiting for such an item to become a reality, as they need it to return to the distant planet they call home. One of Buckaroo's arch-enemies, Dr. Emilio Lizardo (John Lithgow), who has been possessed by the Red Lectroids, attempted to created a similar device decades before; now escaped from an insane asylum, he is back at work with the Lectroids on a plan to control the world. Throw in Rastafarian aliens, unscheduled travel between dimensions, and the odd inexplicable watermelon, and you get a film that defies conventional synopsis. With its fast pace, quotable dialogue ("No matter where you go, there you are"), and barrage of gags (subtle and otherwise), you won't be bored even when you're not sure what's going on. The supporting cast includes Jeff Goldblum as New Jersey, a Cavalier with a snappy cowboy outfit, and Ellen Barkin as Penny Priddy, the twin sister of Buckaroo's late wife. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
Review
It's not difficult to understand why The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the Eighth Dimension never caught on with a mass audience. The story is told in an overtly complex way that makes the viewer work hard to follow it, it downplays blockbuster-style action in favor of idea-driven science fiction, and the proceedings are driven by a stylized sort of humor that isn't for every viewer. However, none of this means that it's a bad film; it's merely an acquired taste. Earl MacRauch's script suffers from periodic slow spots where it seems to be overwhelmed by its self-conscious complexity, but it makes up for this with a consistently high level of imagination and plenty of intriguingly quirky characterizations. These characters are brought to life by a gifted cast that wisely plays the material straight. Peter Weller is appropriately stoic as the renaissance man hero and Ellen Barkin makes an endearing (if underused) romantic foil as Penny, but it is John Lithgow who takes top honors as Dr. Lizardo. His inspired dementia lives up to the story's sci-fi pulp roots and gives the film a fresh shot of energy whenever he pops up. Behind the camera, first-time director W.D. Richter shows a good eye for comic book-styled visuals and brings a humorous but gentle touch to the film that provides a subtle balance to its wacked-out humor. All in all, The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the Eighth Dimension is probably too eccentric and challenging for a general audience, but is full of delights for anyone willing to tune into its unique wavelength. ~ Donald Guarisco, All Movie Guide
Lewis Smith - Perfect Tommy; Rosalind Cash - John Emdall; Robert Ito - Prof.Hikita; Pepe Serna - Reno Nevada; Ronald Lacey - President Widmark; Matt Clark - Secretary of Defense; Clancy Brown - Rawhide; John Ashton - Highway Patrolman; Jonathan Banks - Lizardo Hospital Guard; Raye Birk - 1st Reporter; Mariclare Costello - Sen. Cunningham; John Walter Davis - Star Surgeon; Jesse Lawrence Ferguson - Black Lectroid; Leonard Gaines - Artie Duncan; Robert Gray - First Radar Blaze; Laura Harrington - Mrs. Johnson; Dan Hedaya - John Gomez; Bill Henderson - Casper Lindley; Damon Hines - Scooter Lindley; James Keane - Duck Hunter Bubba; John Lithgow - Lord John Whorfin; Ken Magee - Duck Hunter Burt; Jane Marla Robbins - 2nd Reporter; James Saito - Dr. Masado Banzai; Michael Santoro - Billy Travers; Yakov Smirnoff - National Security Advisor; William Traylor - Gen. Catburd; Vincent Schiavelli - John O'Connor; Billy Vera - Pinky Carruthers; Gary Bisig - Second Radar Blaze; Reed Morgan - Exhibitor; Kent Perkins - Mission Control; Kevin Rodney Sullivan - John Gant; Francine Lembi - TV Anchorwoman; Carl Lumbly - John Parker
Credit
Stephen Dane - Art Director, Rick Carter - Art Director, Dennis E. Jones - Associate Producer, Terry Liebling - Casting, Aggie Guerard Rodgers - Costume Designer, Gary Daigler - First Assistant Director, Katterli A. Frauenfelder - First Assistant Director, W.D. Richter - Director, George Bowers - Editor, Richard Marks - Editor, Sidney Beckerman - Executive Producer, Michael Boddicker - Composer (Music Score), Bones Howe - Musical Direction/Supervision, J. Michael Riva - Production Designer, Fred Koenekamp - Cinematographer, Dennis E. Jones - Production Manager, Neil Canton - Producer, W.D. Richter - Producer, Linda de Scenna - Set Designer, Virginia Randolph - Set Designer, David M. Blitstein - Special Effects, Michael Fink - Special Effects, Henry Millar - Special Effects, Bones Howe - Sound/Sound Designer, Michael Evje - Sound/Sound Designer, M. James Arnett - Stunts, Michael Fink - Special Effects Supervisor, Earl Mac Rauch - Screenwriter
