“Megaforce” released in 1982, directed by Hal Needham , starring Barry Bostwick is an absolute winner. I really like Hal Needham’s work with Burt Reynolds, directing his best film “Hooper” but I had never heard of “Megaforce” until I stumbled across an article about Hal Needham. I watched the VHS version of course and it holds up really well despite the slightly crappy 4:3 format. It was a failure it its day at the box office and scored 3 Razzies along the way including Worst Picture and Worst Director- I’m sure Hal would have been proud.
Barry Bostwick was really funny in “Spin City” and is hilarious in this- looking like a cross between Barry Gibb and Olivia Newton John (Grease) he really works the latex body suit and blue bandana. Its almost too silly for words but somehow it works and is a good example of 80’s film-making – if they made it today I guess Ben Stiller would be the Commander and if they left the tone the same would be pretty good in it.
The special effects are very rudimentary- the flying sequences that were shot as a stunt are really beautiful unfortunately the studio comps are not good ( no wind it seems in the studio) but in those days it would have been an optical effect but it works as does the flying motorcycle sequence. These days they would have spent millions on those sequences and they would look fantastic but he would give a shit – which is the problem with all these tentpoles CG films- who cares about the great effects when no one making the film cares about the story. I think Hal Needham gave it his best shot for sure.
Great title sequence too- very simple but looks cool and the score is so fantastic- really sets the tone for the movie.
ghastlyfunvhsfilms 