Dark Star Movie Review

John Carpenter's directorial debut is a low-budget, sci-fi satire that focuses on a group of scientists whose mission is to destroy unstable planets. During their journey, they battle their alien mascot (who closely resembles a walking beach ball), as well as a “sensitive” and intelligent bombing device which starts to question the meaning of its existence. Faced with all these problems, the former captain is consulted – even though he's dead. Enjoyable early feature from John (Halloween) Carpenter and Dan (Alien) O'Bannon. Fun, weird, and unpredictable – except for the cut-rate special effects it's a film ahead of its time.

1974 (G) 95m/C Dan O'Bannon, Brian Narelle, Drew Pahich, Cal Kuniholm, Joe Saunders, Miles Watkins; D: John Carpenter; W: John Carpenter, Dan O'Bannon; C: Douglas Knapp; M: John Carpenter. VHS, Beta, LV HHT, IME, VCI