Sci-Fi Classic Review: STARMAN (1984)

[@brettcoster4781]

I love, love, love Starman, and you're right, it is Karen Allen's movie; her journey through the film is so heartwrenching, but has a great end. Thanks for the review.

[@kylecurry577]

One of John Carpenter’s underrated gems.

[@lloydonlead]

I watch this great film every year. John Carpenter has made some fantastic films in his career. He should be proud. Nice presentation of this film.

[@Vandervecken]

Allen breaks my heart in the diner scene, every time.

[@roy1701d]

This is such a great movie. An underground classic, for sure--and one Carpenter's absolute best. 🙂

[@SteveBrant55]

Thank you for saying this was really Karen Allen's film. I wish it's title had reflected that it was a two-character story rather than the single character its name implies. The same happened with the classic Outer Limits episode "Demon With The Glass Hand". Everyone talks about Robert Culp's admittedly brilliant performance as Trent, but his performance is matched by that of the amazing Alene Martel as Consuelo.

[@Keefymonoped]

A real gem of a film, and comparisons with ET be damned. This was a better film by far imho.

[@Olliebear38]

Yes ! Karen Allen is terrific in this Movie 😃 strange I've never seen any other content creators credit her for her excellent work 👏 I love this Movie 🎬

[@ConsciousMigration]

I gotta say, I'm glad I found your channel here. This can be a thankless job sometimes, so just know that your work is appreciated! These are fun, well researched and charming.

[@Drforrester31]

Can't say enough how much I love Karen Allen in this movie. Jeff Bridges does great showing the Starman gradually learning how to be a human but it does feel like the whole journey is for Jenny Hayden. Character-wise this is probably John Carpenter's best movie. I also really like the SETI guy, it's such a quirky character but he never gets on your nerves

[@TheUnapologeticGeek]

Agreed. Jeff Bridges gets the most attention, but this is clearly Karen Allen’s movie.

[@sleuthentertainment5872]

When I was a child my dad, with a raspy voice, used to say to me "Look at that star, there's your mum...". I understood it not late; of course my mother wasn't a star or an alien, but my father had that romantic concept about what a star could mean if you look it while thinking about the beloved person that once left you... Looks like John Carpenter knows that feeling when he made Starman; he have never been a sentimental director, but for some reason he understood the concept of romance and to be romantic, beyond the Hollywood's love stories stereotypes, that use to be more sentimental than romantic... The concept of love, life and death goes beyond that in Starman. That's the reason the emotional scenes of the two main characters never look fake, and how easily can move your heart, and, if you drop the guard, it could end being shattered. One of these moments, especially, is the confession about the forthcoming baby...it really breaks you

[@stianthomassen6693]

I think you do a great job with these reviews. Your voice is great, your background/behind the scenes stuff lines beautifully up with your retelling of the movie. I think your channel will grow large before you know it :)

[@TheUnapologeticGeek]

Thank you for your kind words!

[@lelandframe1029]

I remember when this came out--sandwiched between Dune and 2010. It wasn't in our local theaters long enough for me to see all three films. I had to wait until I had a VCR and finally got to see it on rented VHS--where l fell in love with it!

[@MajorClownShoe]

1978 Superman, E.T and Starman are my favorite friendly alien visitor stories. Never get sick of them.

[@TheUnapologeticGeek]

Excellent choices!

[@CaminoAir]

Back in 1985 (without knowing the long development process) 'Starman' definitely seemed like an 'ET' wave rider and that made it feel overall a good, but production-line film, with Carpenter's great use of location filming and widescreen camera work. Like Kurt Russell, Bridges was a well regarded, well-known and dependable actor who was just short of A-List status. His career immediately moved to top rank and stayed there after this film Karen Allen was an early screen crush of mine and a fine actress. Unfortunately, Richard Jaeckel was given a part that left him with nothing to really work with, unlike Charles Martin Smith, who always makes an impression. The cast and director made this something more than just another variation of a movie template.

[@plissken2156]

6:28 - "However, Carpenter had a change of heart and decided he didn't want a huge star, so he offered the role to Jeff Bridges." Well, doesn't that make Mr. Bridges feel dandy.

[@Rich.Staples]

thank you for exposing more people to the Staman material. . Appreciated would be you taking the time to review the related television show.

[@TheUnapologeticGeek]

I've thought about it. Maybe some day down the line.

[@Roboto-chan_1402]

I like the movie and the TV series for different reasons. The movie was truly Karen’s movie, though Jeff was doing a great job too. Personally though I did feel that Robert Hays brought something special to the character. That one scene where Starman comes face to face with George Fox during an interrogation was truly an acting gem. Fox aggressively asking how many of Staman’s “seed” are on Earth was followed by what I can only describe as a mix of bewilderment, pity and a parent’s disappointment in their child and delivered in this one pivotal line: “After all these years, is that all you want to ask me?” 🤯 Still gives me goosebumps. I don’t mean to dismiss Jeff Bridges’ performance though and understand that in an 80s tv series the story probably ran at a slower pace allowing for more room to explore a character. But yeah, if you haven’t done so yet perhaps you could make a video about the Starman the series as well? 😁

[@tristanbeaumont8048]

The music in starman is so so good

[@dorisbove2210]

I love this movie starman ❤ and I love your commentary

[@KonElKent]

Let's be honest; Jeff Bridges probably is an extra terrestrial, so he didn't have to do much "acting". :-)

[@TheTwoFishes]

Great review. I thoroughly enjoy your research and look forward to your next video. A+.

[@LoneStarGemini]

LOVE “Starman.”

[@oobrocks]

Jeff was Excellent & yes Karen is also very good :)

[@NoMarketMedia]

Very nice as always! Certainly didn't know about the director merry go round this film went through! Always hopeful that any aliens that come along are peaceful, but intelligent enough to not have to go through the travels of Starman to understand humanity.

[@TheUnapologeticGeek]

I feel like ninety percent of the work I put into this one was just going through all the directors! Silly me, I used to think this had always been a Carpenter joint. And I 100% agree with your sentiment about aliens.

[@fredo1070]

Excellent video.

[@SylarMagic]

Oh man how have I not heard of this! It looks fantastic, is it on any of the various streaming services?

[@TheUnapologeticGeek]

Apparently, it’s free on Hulu and Amazon Prime video. Haven’t confirmed that myself, though.

[@judithchandler8982]

Great movie ! My favorite!

[@GreyLazy-ny2xg]

Hi from YNAO🙌

[@vasiliszafiris1458]

When i first saw the title i thought the video was about David Bowie.

[@TheUnapologeticGeek]

Yeah, the movie was *probably* named after the Bowie song. If you’re into Bowie, though, you should check out my video on The Man Who Fell to Earth!

[@gaylecheung3087]

Run

[@tristanbeaumont8048]

Starman is better movie than et

[@JohnWilliamNowak]

It's a good movie, but I've always rolled my eyes when allegedly non-crazy people try their best to antagonize aliens with completely unknown cultures and and offensive capability. Like mad scientists and people who want to trigger World War III, I suspect there are more in the movies than in real life.