Enemy Mine Movie Review

A moralistic space opera in which two pilots from warring planets, one an Earthling, the other an asexual reptilian “Drac,” crashland on a barren planet and are forced to work together to survive. Eventually a strange friendship develops between them. The message gets a bit heavy handed at times, but fortunately never slows down the compelling story. Plus, Louis Gossett, Jr., makes one of the most effectively “alien” aliens ever seen in a sci-fi flick. His drac purrs, hisses, and warbles in a language that seems more feline than reptilian; it's fascinating, a bit scary, and mercifully (considering what many aliens were like in the ‘80s) not the least bit cutesy. This is fast-moving adventure that's also a thoughtful meditation on cooperation and friendship.

1985 (PG-13) 108m/C Dennis Quaid, Louis Gossett Jr., Brion James, Richard Marcus, Lance Kerwin, Carolyn McCormick, Bumper Robinson; D: Wolfgang Petersen; W: Edward Khmara; C: Tony Imi; M: Maurice Jarre. VHS, Beta, LV FOX