From Halloween Killer to Beloved Kid’s Film Director

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MOVIE REVIEW
The Last Starfighter
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Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Year Released: 1984, 2023 Arrow Video 4k release
Runtime: 1h 41m
Director(s): Nick Castle
Writer(s): Jonathan R. Betuel
Cast: Lance Guest, Robert Preston, Kay E. Kuter, Catherine Mary Stewart, Dan O'Herlihy, Barbara Bosson, Dan Mason, Norman Snow, Chris Hebert, John O'Leary, Vernon Washington, Peter Nelson, Scott Dunlop
Where To Watch: Available May 30, 2023; pre-order now from www.mvdshop.com or www.arrowvideo.com

RAVING REVIEW: Hello, space travelers! Fasten your seat belts as we power our way back to 1984. Nick Castle takes the director's chair here; Castle’s name may sound familiar as he portrayed “The Shape” in HALLOWEEN (1978). Shockingly Castle also directed DENNIS THE MENACE and MAJOR PAYNE, two 90s classics for kids who grew up with them.

Let's rewind the clock to the genesis of video gaming when the novel thrill of this evolving entertainment form first wormed its way into our homes and local hangouts. THE LAST STARFIGHTER was a trailblazer during this period, with this fresh surge of digital entertainment with cinema. Let me get this out: I had never seen this classic from the early 80s and believed much of the love for this ride was purely on nostalgia. I would’ve eaten this up as a kid!

As played by Lance Guest, our hero, Alex, is tied to a life of hardship in a trailer park but still clings to his dreams of a brighter academic future. Despite the relentless grind of adversity, Alex maintains his fight to be something better. His daily life orbits academics, aiding his neighbors, enjoying family time, and sharing moments with his girlfriend. But when the opportunity arises, he submerges himself in his digital haven – the "Starfighter" video game. His skill for dispatching digital adversaries is exceptional, drawing the attention of Centauri, who takes Alex on a journey that transcends the mundane.

THE LAST STARFIGHTER'S plot does pay homage to the genre and its bold foray into digital animation. While the results may not always be seamless, it was awe-inspiring for 1984, there are a few moments where they may have tried a bit too hard, but in general, it was still pretty impressive.

THE LAST STARFIGHTER resonates with its viewers as it echoes the aspirations, challenges, and adolescent rites of teenage passage prevalent during the 1980s. For Alex, the aspirational and ambitious teenager, video gaming becomes a pedestal for showcasing his capabilities rather than just a way to kill some time.

The narrative, aimed at a younger audience, may ignite the fires of wonder for some. More mature viewers could find themselves longing for a deeper exploration and sophistication of themes. Again, this had to be one of those experiences you get at the right time.

It illustrates the harsh dichotomy between dreams of climbing the social ladder. This beloved 80s feature continues to be a fascinating segment of cinematic history, providing a window into the dreams and realities of its time. While I haven’t seen previous transfers, this 4k restoration is gorgeous, with incredible sound and making the 80s graphics look pretty solid within this bubble.

BONUS MATERIALS:
Brand new 4K restoration by Arrow Films from the original camera negative
4K (2160p) Ultra HD Blu-ray presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible)
Uncompressed 2.0 stereo, 5.1 DTS-HD MA, and 4.1 audio
Optional English subtitles for people who are hard of hearing
Audio commentary with star Lance Guest and his son Jackson Guest
Audio commentary with Mike White of The Projection Booth podcast
Archival audio paper with director Nick Castle and production designer Ron Cobb
Maggie’s Memories: Revisiting The Last Starfighter – interview with actor Catherine Mary Stewart
Into the Starscape: Composing The Last Starfighter – interview with composer Craig Safan
Incredible Odds: Writing The Last Starfighter – interview with screenwriter Jonathan Betuel
Interstellar Hit-Beast: Creating the Special Effects – interview with special effects supervisor Kevin Pike
Excalibur Test: Inside Digital Productions – interview with sci-fi author Greg Bear on Digital Productions, the company responsible for the CGI in The Last Starfighter
Greetings Starfighter! Inside the Arcade Game – an interview with arcade game collector Estil Vance on reconstructing the Starfighter game
Heroes of the Screen – archival featurette
Crossing the Frontier: The Making of The Last Starfighter – archival 4-part documentary
Image galleries
Theatrical and teaser trailers
Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Matt Ferguson
Collector's booklet featuring writing by Amanda Reyes and sci-fi author Greg Bear's Omni magazine article on Digital Productions, the company responsible for the CGI in The Last Starfighter

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[photo courtesy of MVD ENTERTAINMENT/ARROW VIDEO]