{"id":85210,"date":"2022-07-04T13:04:43","date_gmt":"2022-07-04T20:04:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=85210"},"modified":"2022-07-04T13:06:57","modified_gmt":"2022-07-04T20:06:57","slug":"adventures-of-buckaroo-banzai-across-the-eighth-dimension-the-1984","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=85210","title":{"rendered":"Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the Eighth Dimension, The (1984)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>&#8220;Anything&#8217;s possible.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Adventures-Buckaroo-Banzai-Poster.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Adventures-Buckaroo-Banzai-Poster-194x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"194\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-85211\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Adventures-Buckaroo-Banzai-Poster-194x300.png 194w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Adventures-Buckaroo-Banzai-Poster-83x128.png 83w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Adventures-Buckaroo-Banzai-Poster-175x270.png 175w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Adventures-Buckaroo-Banzai-Poster.png 623w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 194px) 100vw, 194px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Synopsis:<\/strong><br \/>\nShortly after meeting the identical twin sister (Ellen Barkin) of his former wife, a polymath superhero named Buckaroo Banzai (Peter Weller) joins forces with his bandmates Perfect Tommy (Lewis Smith), Reno Nevada (Pepe Serna), and Rawhide (Clancy Brown) &#8212; as well as his scientific mentor (Robert Ito) and a doctor-colleague (Jeff Goldblum) &#8212; in fighting back against the criminally insane Lord John Whorfin (Jon Lithgow), who is working alongside a pair of alien scientists (Christopher Lloyd and Vincent Schiavelli) to steal an &#8220;oscillation overthruster&#8221;.\n<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>\n<strong>Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Aliens<\/li>\n<li>Jeff Goldblum Films<\/li>\n<li>Mad Doctors and Scientists<\/li>\n<li>Science Fiction<\/li>\n<li>Superheroes<\/li>\n<li>World Domination<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Response to Peary&#8217;s Review: <\/strong><br \/>\nPeary refers to this midnight-movie cult favorite as a &#8220;scatterbrained, sloppily made science-fiction comedy for the stoned out generation.&#8221; He asserts that the story &#8212; about Buckaroo Banzai doing &#8220;battle with a lot of weirdly dressed aliens and a mad Italian scientist&#8221; &#8212; &#8220;gets lost because of the chaotic pacing and lack of continuity, the overabundance of characters who run around in fancy outfits with no place to go, and the fact that first-time director W.D. Richter (who wrote the script for 1978&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=2174\"><em>Invasion of the Body Snatchers<\/em><\/a>) never bothers to establish where anyone is in relation to anyone else.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Adventures-Buckaroo-Aliens.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Adventures-Buckaroo-Aliens-1024x427.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"267\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-85216\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Adventures-Buckaroo-Aliens-1024x427.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Adventures-Buckaroo-Aliens-300x125.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Adventures-Buckaroo-Aliens-128x53.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Adventures-Buckaroo-Aliens-768x320.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Adventures-Buckaroo-Aliens-604x252.png 604w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Adventures-Buckaroo-Aliens.png 1293w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Peary adds that &#8220;as played by Peter Weller, Banzai unfortunately turns out to be a pretty conventional hero&#8221; whose &#8220;special skills are never really put to work &#8212; it&#8217;s as if he has them only so the film&#8217;s publicity releases will sound interesting.&#8221; He argues that while &#8220;Weller is handsome,&#8221; he &#8220;hasn&#8217;t the necessary charisma to play a superhero,&#8221; and &#8220;his cockiness reflects the attitude of the whole production.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Adventures-Buckaroo-Weller8.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Adventures-Buckaroo-Weller8-1024x422.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"264\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-85224\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Adventures-Buckaroo-Weller8-1024x422.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Adventures-Buckaroo-Weller8-300x124.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Adventures-Buckaroo-Weller8-128x53.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Adventures-Buckaroo-Weller8-768x317.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Adventures-Buckaroo-Weller8-604x249.png 604w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Adventures-Buckaroo-Weller8.png 1303w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>I&#8217;m essentially in agreement with Peary&#8217;s review, though I think the failings he points out here &#8212; i.e., the &#8220;chaotic pacing,&#8221; &#8220;lack of continuity,&#8221; and &#8220;overabundance of characters who run around in fancy outfits&#8221; &#8212; are actually what endear the kooky film to its fans. Also of note is Lithgow going beyond over-the-top in an unhinged performance as a Mussolini-like scientist-dictator who&#8217;s actually an alien: <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Adventures-Buckaroo-Lithgow7.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Adventures-Buckaroo-Lithgow7-1024x426.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"266\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-85223\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Adventures-Buckaroo-Lithgow7-1024x426.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Adventures-Buckaroo-Lithgow7-300x125.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Adventures-Buckaroo-Lithgow7-128x53.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Adventures-Buckaroo-Lithgow7-768x320.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Adventures-Buckaroo-Lithgow7-604x252.png 604w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Adventures-Buckaroo-Lithgow7.png 1299w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&#8230; and chill Goldblum getting to wear western duds after casually performing life-changing neurosurgery. <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Adventures-Buckaroo-Goldblum.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Adventures-Buckaroo-Goldblum-1024x426.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"266\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-85215\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Adventures-Buckaroo-Goldblum-1024x426.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Adventures-Buckaroo-Goldblum-300x125.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Adventures-Buckaroo-Goldblum-128x53.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Adventures-Buckaroo-Goldblum-768x320.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Adventures-Buckaroo-Goldblum-604x252.png 604w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Adventures-Buckaroo-Goldblum.png 1299w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, Barkin has an entirely thankless role as the female love interest; she spends most of the film either crying and trying to kill herself or being tortured. <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Adventures-Buckaroo-Birkin.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Adventures-Buckaroo-Birkin-1024x421.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"263\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-85225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Adventures-Buckaroo-Birkin-1024x421.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Adventures-Buckaroo-Birkin-300x123.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Adventures-Buckaroo-Birkin-128x53.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Adventures-Buckaroo-Birkin-768x316.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Adventures-Buckaroo-Birkin-604x248.png 604w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Adventures-Buckaroo-Birkin.png 1297w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>While I&#8217;m not personally a fan of this weird flick, enough are to make it worth a one-time viewing simply for its cult status.   <\/p>\n<p><strong>Notable Performances, Qualities, and Moments: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>J. Michael Riva&#8217;s production design<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Adventures-Buckaroo-Auditory.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Adventures-Buckaroo-Auditory-1024x424.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"265\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-85213\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Adventures-Buckaroo-Auditory-1024x424.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Adventures-Buckaroo-Auditory-300x124.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Adventures-Buckaroo-Auditory-128x53.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Adventures-Buckaroo-Auditory-768x318.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Adventures-Buckaroo-Auditory-604x250.png 604w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Adventures-Buckaroo-Auditory.png 1292w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Must See? <\/strong><br \/>\nYes, once, simply for its cult value. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Categories<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Cult Movie<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Links: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0086856\/\">IMDb entry<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/1984\/10\/05\/movies\/film-sci-fi-farce-buckaroo-bonzai.html\">NY Times Original Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thespinningimage.co.uk\/cultfilms\/displaycultfilm.asp?reviewid=132&#038;aff=13\">Spinning Image Review (Graeme Clark)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.moriareviews.com\/sciencefiction\/adventures-of-buckaroo-banzai-across-the-8th-dimension-1984.htm\">Moria Review<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;Anything&#8217;s possible.&#8221; Synopsis: Shortly after meeting the identical twin sister (Ellen Barkin) of his former wife, a polymath superhero named Buckaroo Banzai (Peter Weller) joins forces with his bandmates Perfect Tommy (Lewis Smith), Reno Nevada (Pepe Serna), and Rawhide (Clancy Brown) &#8212; as well as his scientific mentor (Robert Ito) and a doctor-colleague (Jeff Goldblum) &#8212; in fighting back against the criminally insane Lord John Whorfin (Jon Lithgow), who is working alongside a pair of alien scientists (Christopher Lloyd and&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"><a class=\"btn btn-default\" href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=85210\"> Read More<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">  Read More<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-85210","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-responses-to-peary"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/85210","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=85210"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/85210\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":85236,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/85210\/revisions\/85236"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=85210"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=85210"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=85210"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}