Badmovies.org Forum

Information Exchange => Reader Comments => Topic started by: on February 10, 1999, 03:19:27 AM



Title: The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai
Post by: on February 10, 1999, 03:19:27 AM
This movie was way ahead of its time.  Its a classic!

Note: The end of the film hints at a sequel: "Buckaroo Banzai: Across the Eighth Dimension"

As much as I love this film I've got to wonder: how the HELL did it ever obtain funding and sneak into release??  Someone obviously lost a lot of money on this film...


Title: The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai
Post by: Pat Bowden on February 16, 1999, 04:02:38 PM
Buckaroo Banzai is a pretty out-there movie. It's
fun to watch and the cast is good (Peter Weller and Jeff Goldblum are really good). I really don't
know why this was such a failure. Maybe it was too
strange for the average movie-goer...


Title: The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai
Post by: tabby@psn.net on February 27, 1999, 02:56:51 AM
They're testing the structure of the hybrid watermelon to see if it can be airdropped into famine areas without a parachute. Duh!


Title: The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai
Post by: Alex Talpur on March 12, 1999, 06:58:20 PM
Well, what can I say? Pure genius. The story, the cast, the script, the direction, the music, everything! Absolutely fantastic! The whole cast is amazing. Peter Weller as Buckaroo really is brilliant. Why can't more people make films like this anymore? Let's hope the much talked about TV-Series goes into production. Keep up the fantastic work on the page. And remember, we don't have to be mean, 'cause remember no matter where you go, there you are!


Title: The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai
Post by: on June 21, 1999, 10:05:43 PM
I have shown this film to many people. In fact, at our network game nights, this film is screened as often as StarWars 4/5/6 and Army of Darkness, much to the confusion of new people.

The first time I screen it, people go "What the hell are they doing in 1930 now ? Who are all these guys ? Why are you all laughing at the watermelon ?" and generally wanting to know where they can get the 1st movie in the series that explains everything.

The second time, people start going "Oh, I see, the white aliens are the evil aliens and the rastafarian aliens are the good aliens. Oh, but now the good aliens are trying to blow up the earth, and the bad aliens are just trying to get away ??"

The third time, it starts sinking in and people start figuring out the difference between the characters.

About the tenth time, we start getting the chanting at lines like "Threee.... Twoo.... Onee....", "Laugha while you can monkey boy" and reciting with relish 'Declaration of war - the Short Form' 'Sekret! No Monkee Boyz Alowed'

It's a disease - but most people are resistant to it, and need multiple exposure.

By the way, Buckaroo Banzai turn up in the weirdest places - he has appeared in three books and two rule suppliments to the FASA/Mechwarrior universe (the rules state that he invented mechs such as the Hatchetman), the technology appears in Back to the Future, and even the Austin Power film has been known to quote a few lines from it.

And if Buckaroo's good enough for Dr Evil, he's good enough for you.


Title: The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai
Post by: a bear on August 13, 2000, 09:56:24 PM
It sure is a shame. I remember loving this movie as a kid and the fan club was really trying hard to keep the excitement up and to get all the fans to write the studio to convince them to allow a sequel. Then it all petered out after a while. I guess they realized the studio didn't agree with them.

I must admit I watched this again and it had turned somewhat from cool to cheese. Especially after seeing how fantastic Peter Weller can be in Naked Lunch.  Maybe in another 10 years I'll re-watch it and it will look cool again.

I've always thought Peter Weller looked like Adam Ant and wondered why Adam Ant never did anything weird and cool with his floundering acting career, like Buckaroo Bansai.



Title: The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai
Post by: Greg Childs on November 06, 1999, 08:40:23 PM
Maybe the greatest movie ever made, can't believe there is no soundtrack CD. Never saw it in the theater sadly, but now own it and it's a holiday staple for my brother and me. Too many great scenes and lines to cover here, but the horn Buckaroo plays at the concert and John Bigbootay, tay, tay giving Lithgow the finger are too funny.
By the way, either you get this movie or forget it. You can't explain it or help someone like it, must be genetic.


Title: The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai
Post by: Katrina Keefer on November 25, 1999, 06:33:02 PM
My family and I have a tendency to like 'campy' films. Buckaroo is one of our favourites. My boyfriend has yet to see it, but when he does, he's a-gonna love it! It's up there with 'Flash Gordon', 'Riders of the Storm' and 'Yellowbeard', in my estimation. Not very well known, but a pleasure to anyone who's odd enough to sit through it! (I include myself, naturally)


Title: The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai
Post by: drclause@yahoo.com on January 07, 2000, 05:02:18 AM
This has to be one of my favourites. Too bad I can't find it on DVD. My ma tried to get it for me  (in any form) for my b-day but we can't find it anywhere. Anyway, the movie is great. What made them make black lectoids Rastas? I went to Jamacia for spring break 2 years ago but didn't think of even introducing myself as John Parker. What was I thinking???? That would have been just too cool. Guess I was too 'out-of-it'. -If anyone knows where I can get a copy e-me, thanks.


Title: The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai
Post by: Paul H. on January 24, 2000, 03:22:56 PM
This movie has so much potential with a good cast, good acting, good story.  And it partially works.

However, I am always left thinking that somehow it should be better.  I don't enjoy it as much as a should.  I think it plays the lines better a real sci-fi movie and camp to closely.  Plus it can get a little slow.

However it is still among the leaders of bad movies I give it a 6 out of 10 (3 green globs)  To bad it doesn't know its a bad movie.  

Big Trouble in Little China makes a similar attempt at mixing camp and a real action movie and works much better.


Title: The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai
Post by: NakedMoleRat7 on January 31, 2000, 10:56:58 PM
I personally love the movie along with he rest of my family.  Even though it was lacking in quite a few areas, it will definitely stay near the top of my list of favorite movies.  It's choc-full of cooky fun.


Title: The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai
Post by: Spectre on November 25, 2006, 04:10:12 PM
Quite possibly one of the most hilarious B-movies I have ever seen.  I was actually coerced into watching it (thanks a lot guys, you know who you are).  I thought it was going to be so horrid that I would go catatonic, but I was laughing almost the entire time.  The funniest part for me was when John Lithgow's character said the name "Bigboote."  Especially with that accent.  Every time he said that name I just cracked up (a couple of times I was actually crying I was laughing so hard, but then again, I am just kinda giddy all the time).  Also, the Jamaican aliens were extremely funny.  I would definitely recommend this movie, especially to a novice not ready for the worst of the worst.  Oh, and don't forget Perfect Tommy, he is pretty good too.


Title: The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai
Post by: on May 04, 2000, 01:42:33 PM
Peter Weller would have made a better batman than any of the past three wimps, comedians, and pretty boys.


Title: The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai
Post by: on May 07, 2000, 10:29:36 PM
I own the movie and I think it is one of the best movies i've ever seen and ever bought and would love to see a sequel or even a series!
Let's start a campaign to get a Buckaroo Series on TV! YEAH!!!!


Title: The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai
Post by: Georgiann on November 25, 2006, 04:09:49 PM
What an amazing cast! -- which is why I saw it, primarily for Jeff Goldblum, Christopher Lloyd and John Lithgow.  And what a...strange...far-out movie.  I think I need to see it a few more times, 'cause frankly I still don't understand it!


Title: The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai
Post by: Chazilla on August 10, 2000, 01:44:27 PM
The single most disappointing thing about this movie was that the sequel never got made, perhaps that was a joke as well.  Still this is a truly great movie, it has everything, including one of coolest end title credit sequences I have ever seen.  Soundtrack album out there?  Anyone?  Anyone?


Title: The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai
Post by: Julius on September 01, 2000, 01:52:04 PM
Thank God they didn't dig in deeper "dimensions"... the 14th, the 83th... or maybe the 106th, gee! that's a scary one!


Title: The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai
Post by: Vic on September 10, 2000, 10:35:42 PM
I agree, this movie is awesome. Sci-Fi acreens it on occasion, but not nearly often enough. The writers of this movie just had some of the wall stuff. Fave lines:

"What's your name?"

"John Smallberries."

"And yours? John Ya-Ya ... ok"

I read in an issue of Fangoria back in 96, I guess, where Peter Weller was hyping his new movie, Screamers (which shoud also be on this list) where he said he hopes one day to actually do Buckaroo Banzai vs. The World Crime eague. I doubt it, but it'd be interesting at the least.


Title: The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai
Post by: jean on September 28, 2000, 07:49:55 PM
BB is an awesome movie. So what if it's cheesy, it was the 80's!


Title: The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai
Post by: forkboy on October 17, 2000, 12:48:49 PM
Note that Yoyodyne is the name of the corporation in Thomas Pynchon's Crying of Lot 39.


Title: The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai
Post by: Mark Fisher on November 25, 2006, 04:09:49 PM
I absolutely love this movie especially the pedantic nature of John Bigboutie. It's a delight to watch for all the asides in the background. And then there's Ellen Barkin!


Title: The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai
Post by: wendym on November 25, 2006, 04:09:49 PM
I've seen this film several times and I think it's brilliant!. I think it's one of the best things that John Lithgow has done. The alien ship interiers are the best. It's such a shame they never made the sequel


Title: The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai
Post by: jaywilson on November 18, 2000, 01:16:48 PM
No matter what you think of this film, there it is.


Title: The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai
Post by: Alex on December 24, 2000, 09:42:39 PM
Actually, at www.dailyscript.com there is a link to a script of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 6th Dimension. Hope this helps.


Title: The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai
Post by: Doug Frye on November 25, 2006, 04:10:12 PM
It is a shame that "Buckaroo Bonzai vs. the World Crime League" never got made. I love this film.


Title: The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai
Post by: Evil !!!! Pure and Simple from Planet 10!!! on November 25, 2006, 04:09:49 PM
HOO BOY!! I love Buckaroo Banzai.  I remeber saving up my allowance as a wee 7year old to buy the Marvel magazine adaption.  I also got the novelization for Christmas of 1984.  This movie is great fun.  Watch it back to back with Big Trouble in Little China and you have a super night.  BTW the sequel was to be called Buckaroo Banzai Vs. THe World Crime League!!

It's not my goddam planet monkeyboy!!!!!!


Title: The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai
Post by: Aaron Agassi on November 25, 2006, 04:09:49 PM
Oh, screw any banal World Laugue of Crime rehash!  

L. Sprague de Camp's first published work: 'Isolinguals', Astounding, September 1937 later anthologized by Damon Knight in FIRST FLIGHT : MAIDEN VOYAGES IN SPACE AND TIME. Lancer, PB, in 1963, adapted into a Buckaroo Banzai Adventure, 'Buckaroo Banzai and the Isolinguals', would make a far better sequel.  


Title: The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai
Post by: Barb Stafford on November 25, 2006, 04:09:49 PM
Oh, those were the days.  Coldwar paranoia and $1.05 admission on Tuesday nights at the local movie theatre.  I saw BB 7 times on the big screen (countless on tape), and I married the man that sat through it with me 7 times.  Kids these days, they don't get it, 'cause the world's not going to blow up anymore, and noboday wears shoulderpads.  Have you ever seen so many shoulderpads in a movie?


Title: The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai
Post by: Yuug on November 25, 2006, 04:10:12 PM
I can't believe I hear all these comments about how stellar the cast was and everyone bringing up Goldblum, Lithgow, Birkin, and Weller's names... Everyone's forgetting the biggest name of them all: YACKOFF SMIRNOFF!! YEAH!! He totally made the movie. Even if he was in it for about 2 seconds.

That and the scene where Buckaroo is flying the spaceship at the end and says "Get off the knob and take the wheel!" and then the Jamacian alien lifts his head up with strange glazed looking eyes is classic. Even though the rest of the movie had me wanting to kill myself several times over. I'm sorry. I don't know what any of you see in this movie, but UGGGGGGHHHHH!!!


Title: The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai
Post by: Neville on November 25, 2006, 04:09:49 PM
I really dig this movie. probably is the one which opened the door for me to watch more B-movies. I really had a great time watching it, and I don't know what I laughed at
the most, if the great John Lithgow in a Mussolinni parody or the disarming first line of the plot: A group of scientists who are also a r&r band. That's err original.

Anyway, here's some present for all the lovers of the movie,
the original script:

http://home.online.no/~bhundlan/scripts/BuckarooBanzai.txt

Courtesy of Movie-page.com: http://www.movie-

page.com/movie_scripts.htm


Title: The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai
Post by: Andrew on November 25, 2006, 04:10:12 PM
This tidbit comes from Thomas Deja:

"Way back when the movie came out, I interviewed the writer,and he mentioned there never was a sequel intended; that tagline was put on to better simulate the idea that BB was like a Saturday Morning serial."


Title: The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai
Post by: Richard Of Portland on September 29, 2001, 12:30:10 PM
Hey, I would not call this a bad movie, definatly it is a B-rated movie. The movie was fun.


Title: The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai
Post by: on November 25, 2006, 04:10:12 PM
"Buckaroo Banzai" is one of my favourite films ever.  Everything about this film is brilliant.  Plus, the synth music is amazing.  I actually acquired the CD soundtrack back in late '98.  No, it wasn't official, but it's still wonderful (there are even a few tracks that aren't present in the final print, or in the workprint).  And speaking of the workprint... ALL of you Buckaroo Banzai fans must see it.  It's a rough cut (VERY rough), but it's absolutely worth it for the extended/previously unseen footage.  And yes, the much rumoured death scene of Buckaroo's parents IS true; it is present in this version... and his mother is played by Jaime Lee Curtis.  Oh, and to those of you who love the Team March end theme (who doesn't?): it's present in the workprint as well, but once again, this version of the song found in the workprint is extremely rudimentary.  Also, the Team March footage of the cast marching down the drained aqueduct is extended as well.  This workprint will never be publicly released (not even in the upcoming DVD release).  They may show clips from it, but they'd never release the workprint in its entirety.  You guys have no idea what you're missing!        


Title: The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai
Post by: mixer on November 25, 2006, 04:09:49 PM
Buckaroo Banzai is just a great stupid movie.  Probably the best ever made.  It knows it. It goes with it. It has fun with it.  John Lithgow and Christopher Lloyd are the two best reasons to watch.   Be brave, show it to your family and friends, if your lucky they'll get it and love it too!


Title: The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai
Post by: Kit on March 15, 2003, 01:35:16 AM
The DVD edition of this movie is dynamite. It includes all kinds of extras including the original opening to the movie, which was a great loss to the theatrical release.


Title: The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai
Post by: postmanx on November 25, 2006, 04:09:49 PM
A great film. I can't explain it. And FUN...


Title: The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai
Post by: on November 25, 2006, 04:10:12 PM
Some less-often quoted great quotes!

"I've been ionized, but I'm okay now." - B. Banzai

"If it ain't one thing, it's another." - Rawhide

"If all wishes were gratified, many dreams would be destroyed." - B. Banzai

"Nothing is ever what it seems but everything is exactly what it is." - B. Banzai

"The only reason for time is so that everything doesn't happen at once." - B. Banzai

"The future begins tomorrow" - The sign for Yoyodyne Propulsion Systems

"History is made at night. Character is what you are in the dark." - Dr. Lizardo


Title: The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai
Post by: ben gattis on November 25, 2006, 04:09:49 PM
Cut down from about three hours and therefore so dense that it at first seems chaotic nonsense, this movie actually makes sense if you concentrate & its great. So it's like reading a Steve Aylett book, you have to pay attention & find treasures & sense - things are there for a reason. Fun & strange, & nobodys heard of it. Always unfashionable. Perfect.


Title: The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai
Post by: Swamprat on November 25, 2006, 04:10:12 PM
Stick your hat in your pocket and grab your ass...this movie is a wild ride. I agree with several others above. This film takes a brain to really get it. It's a complicated comic book story with some of the coolest characters you're ever gonna see on film. The alien hardware is geniunely different...a rarety in Sci-Fi movies. The running gag of all the aliens being named John So-and-So and Such-and-Such is hilarious. My favorite line is when Peter Weller and the good guy alien are in the spaceship and Weller tells him..."Take over, it flys like a truck..." The alien responds by grabbing the controls and nodding..."What is a truck?" It sounds stupid, I know, but when you see it, you'll laugh. John Lithgo goes over the top into full berserk mode with this film. And It's perfectly bizarre and so suited to the whole feel of the movie. It's one of those that you have to actually watch and pay attention to. So many people today have grown up on the generic formula movies. Few actually pay attention to what's really going on in a truely well constructed story like this. Sip your beverage slowly and hold your bladder...watch and listen...and enjoy. I've never been able to decide if the trailer announcing a sequel was for real or just to add to the comic book texture of the film. Anyone who was heavy into series type comic books remembers the next issue teasers at the end of each story. If it was just part of the movie, it was perfect. If there really was going to be a sequel that never materialized...that's a bummer. This film rocks. I love the last remark by one of the good guy alien leaders sitting at his table somewhere in the other dimension...."Big deeeel.."


Title: The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai
Post by: Rob Connolly on November 25, 2006, 04:09:49 PM
This is truly a sublime film!  The trailer I saw for it on another video seemed so strange that I just had to take a look.  People at work then stared at me when I told them about this really cool film I'd just seen ...

If some fool gave me a gazillion pounds then this is the sort of film I'd like to make.  As for a sequel, the cost of getting the cast back together would be - well, a gazillion pounds, I suppose. No laughing at the back, there. Hey! NO laughing!
Okay, laugha while you can, monkey boy!


Title: The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai
Post by: Irena on October 20, 2002, 11:23:08 PM
Hi, I have been a long time fan of this wierd movie. The end credits with the whole cast marching in formation around a concrete canal is the strangest part togther with really eerie music.


Title: The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai
Post by: carbonware on November 25, 2006, 04:09:49 PM
One of my top 10 B movie favorites!. It's one the whole family gronas about if I pull it out, yet they love to watch it over and over. I wore out the tape and I am now looking for the DVD.


Title: The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai
Post by: Robert on November 25, 2006, 04:09:49 PM
Double-turds!  Steve & Devon beat me to the 'Brunswick, NJ' thingy.

The only reason I remember something like that is due to living in Central NJ all my life and BB being one of my all-time Fav flicks.  It still cracks me up knowing/hearing of Brunswick and Grover's Mill when I watch the film.

I've been reading that the cast knew while filming that this would be a cult-classic right from the start and most are ready and waiting to do the sequel.


Title: The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai
Post by: SargeSteel on November 25, 2006, 04:10:12 PM
Perhaps the most amazing thing about this hugely entertaining film is the way director and cast sustain a straight face through so many -- obviously intentional -- absurd cliches ("The deuce you say!")and world threatening plot twists ("If it ain't one thing, it's another.").  Hollywood typically can't resist a confiding wink or nod to the viewer: "That was meant as parody.  You can laugh now." The fact that BB does NOT do that is one source of the film's irresistible charm.  BB is so inventive, densely written and internally consistent that watching it is satisfying to a discerning, analytical viewer (which, apparently, not all of us are) in a way that many pretentious "blockbusters" are not.  There are many clever take-offs and points of reference, and of course the dialogue is priceless.  I'm surprised that no other commentaries in this site have noted that one source of inspiration for the film, in addition to Saturday morning movie serials and comic books, is Doc Savage -- the awesome hero from the pulps.  BB is a terrific updating of the Doc Savage concept, and is marvelously entertaining in just the way that George Pal's Doc Savage movie, from abound 1970, should have been but was not.  BB fans should still check it out, though.


Title: The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai
Post by: Todd Phillips on November 25, 2006, 04:10:12 PM
*in Homestar Runner voice*  Dat was da best video-game I've evo played...

Seriously, this movie is a such a fun ride.  Great music, kick-ass story and one of the best casts of all time.  What's not to like?

"Laugh while you can, monkey boy!"


Title: The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai
Post by: Mike on July 13, 2003, 03:16:56 PM
I have tried to expose everyone I know to this, but most of them are put off by the necessary half hour description to portray why its worth watching


Title: The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai
Post by: Tanglefinger on November 25, 2006, 04:10:12 PM
God, I love this movie.

Anybody who grew up on Doc Savage, like I did, has to love this movie.

This movie was responsible for one of the very few 'cool' moments of my life.

A buddy of mine and I were waiting in line for our third (or was it fourth) viewing of this film. This was in my semi-punk days and I was in my leathers. My buddy looked like the drummer in a prog-rock band, which he was. I was reading Scientific American and he was noodling away on his drum synthesizer, one of the first available as I recall.

I said to my buddy, "Hey, there's some real cool stuff going on in quantumn physics," and started talking about the article I had just read. He starts talking about stuff he's read, and back and forth.

The guy in front of us turns around and says, "You guys are plants, right?"

"Huh?" we reply.

"You've been planted by some PR company to make us think there actually are people like The Hong Kong Cavaliers."

I must say, it's very ego enhancing to be mistaken for a Hong Kong Cavalier.

But enough about me. This is a very cool, very strange and very funny movie. If you don't get this movie, go get a job in The Bush White House. They need even more boring unimaginative people working there.


Title: The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai
Post by: Will Stewart on November 25, 2006, 04:10:12 PM
One of my favorite movies of all time, the only serious SciFi spoof that worked (remember "Starship Troopers"?).  The technology is hilarious, Peter Weller pulls everything off with a straight face, and the little points drive it all home.  Such as the glass screen in the during the Black Lectroids multimedia showing that has neat phrases such as "Points of Simultuneity" (sp?).  Yes, I saw it about 6 times; one has to see it at least twice to make much sense of it, even after seeing a short list of "Things you need to know before seeing Buckaroo Bonzai".  The sound track always moves me and is worth renting it alone.  The scenes swirl from  intrigue, fascination, danger, trimuph, sadness, and hope.

What a cast!  What a plot!  It was easy to suspend belief and just enjoy it as the visionary tongue in cheek scifi movie it was, positioned right in between "Airplane" and "Matrix".  From the first viewing, I was truly ionized...


Title: The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai
Post by: Will Stewart on September 12, 2003, 01:07:35 PM
Oh, and the watermelon was in the vise of a Tinius-Olson machine, which is used by structural scientists/engineers to apply 100,000s of thousands of pounds of force on small structural material prototypes to understand how they deform and eventually fail.


Title: The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai
Post by: Wisdom000 on November 25, 2006, 04:09:49 PM
Actually the sequel did get made...... Kinda.

Big Trouble in Little china was originally titled Buckaroo Bonzai and the World Crime League.  However due to a new director and the inavailability of the original cast, instead of a wonderful sequel to a spectacular movie, we got a completely original and equally spectacular movie.  People who like either of these films should also check out Remo Williams.  Somehow these three films make up what I like to call the ultimate 80's crazy almost superhero triumvirate.  All of them are just so bizzare and out there, you can't really compare them to anything but each other.


Title: The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai
Post by: Jon on November 25, 2006, 04:09:49 PM
The Special Edition DVD is awesome... gives some little known details on the HKC's and other characters such as Hanoi Xan... poor Penny...


Title: The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai
Post by: Frank Burns on November 25, 2006, 04:10:12 PM
This is a movie where all the greats got their start. John Lithgow, Jeff Goldblum, and Christopher Lloyd (just to name a few) took the experience of this movie and became some of the greatest.  Goldblum was able to create to be americas favorite scientist in my childhood favorite "the Fly".  Lloyd had many great roles such as Doctor Brown in the Back to the Future epics, and who could forget his convincing stab at a camp counseler named  Lithgows roll in third rock from the sun or more better Dennis Van Welker in "Camp Nowhere"? Finally John Litgow, even though some might argue John's work in the thriller "the Day After"  got his foot in the door I would tend to disagree, there has never been anyone to nail the role of Lord John Whorfinknown as well as Jonny did.  He later when on to do cliffhanger and that serious allien thriller "third Rock from the sun".  Yes, if it was not for this "special" movie these three might not have gained the leading actor title they now have.  Thank you Richter for the idea but thank these three for Buckaroo's success in history.  


Title: The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai
Post by: CharPin on November 25, 2006, 04:10:12 PM
This is one of the all-time great parodies. I am the only one in my family who loves it - I've been quoting, "Laugh-a while you can, Monkey Boy!" for years, and NO ONE gets it! Sad.

Got to get the DVD - my VHS tape is just about worn out, and I can't be without this flick. Seriously fun!

I agree - "Big Trouble in Little China" and "Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins" are also high-camp fun, as is "Into the Night," with Jeff Goldblum and Michelle Pfeiffer. And has anyone seen "Deathrace 2000" with David Carradine and Sylvester Stallone?  Total kick in the pants!!  "It's a hand grenade."



Title: The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai
Post by: Kim W. on November 25, 2006, 04:10:12 PM
1983: I am thirteen.  My best friend and I are planning on a trip to the movies.  Except, we'd initially planned to see STARMAN, but it was sold out.  Also playing at the same time, we noticed, was this little movie called BUCKAROO BANZAI.  We shrugged and saw that instead.  

It was probably a far better move for us than STARMAN would have been; we were both rather weird children.

We came out of the film babbling catchphrases to each other, and for a good two months afterward confused all our friends by shouting "What's that watermelon doing there! BWAHHHH!" to each other across rooms and cracking each other up.

2003: I am overseeing a rehearsal for a play in New York. Our show is being staged in the basement of another theater space, which is running its own show.  That other show has a series of weekly celebrity "guest stars", and the dressing rooms for both theaters are next to each other down in the basement where we are.  Also, one of the exits is through our basement theater space, so I've gotten used to random big-name actors wandering out into our basement space and looking confused; I usually just walk them over to the elevator to the street.

Anyway, on THIS night, I see another person wander out from the dressing rooms looking confused, and go over to walk him out -- and I'm halfway across the room when it hits me that it is Jeff Goldblum.  He spots me at this moment and asks for help getting out, so I make myself act professional and say I'd be happy to.  I walk him to the elevator, answer his question that yes, this does take him right out on to the street, and he thanks me.

For the rest of my life, I will be kicking myself that I did not take the opportunity to ask him, "By the way, Mr. Goldblum, what WAS that watermelon doing there after all?"


Title: The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai
Post by: Tyler Foster on May 13, 2004, 12:51:23 PM
Loved this movie. Any movie that has a doctor/samurai/guitar player/comic book hero has to be great.


Title: The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai
Post by: Nashville on November 25, 2006, 04:10:12 PM
   This movie does indeed rock. If you didn't get it, I'm sorry, but...it's not FOR you.

   If I may clarify an earlier post - Big Trouble in Little China has no connection to Buckaroo Banzai aside from the fact that BB's director, W.D. Richter, wrote the final screenplay for Big Trouble. That's it, that's all. These are the words of Earl Mac Rauch, who wrote BB and did not write any sequels. The "BB vs. the World Crime League" script that has circulated the internet for years is a fraud, a work of fan fiction, and was never the basis for Big Trouble. It's a fun rumor, but a rumor it is, and nothing more.


Title: The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai
Post by: Brian on June 14, 2004, 01:45:57 PM
The Extras on the DVD are excellent.  The best part is the commentary track, which explains how the movie is really a documentary, but they were forced to make it look like a work of fiction.


Title: The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai
Post by: SRBoone on November 25, 2006, 04:10:12 PM
Ever had one of those toons you couldn't get out of your head? I had one for nearly two decades. I'd forgotten where it came from over the years, but after buying this on DVD I have exorcised my demons.  It was the theme from BB.

This and another Weller movie "Of Unknown Origin" are his best. (that one is out also--check it out.)


Title: The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai
Post by: Mog on November 25, 2006, 04:09:49 PM
Possibly the most intelligent movie ever made.  BB reigns.  Anyone who hasn't read the book should do it now -- it has extra stuff -- like a DVD.  More characters, more in-depth background.  Footnotes even!


Title: The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai
Post by: dave on February 12, 2005, 04:30:49 AM
Excellent..................someone finally recoginized one of the truly great films of our time....................JOHN SMALLBERRIES!


Title: The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai
Post by: Pedeka on November 25, 2006, 04:10:12 PM
I wore out a VHS of this movie high school. A wonderful good time of a movie, and don't forget, "Wherever you go, there you are."


Title: The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai
Post by: Jonny Lugnuts on November 25, 2006, 04:09:49 PM
Does anyone realise that the movie wasn't supposed to be any good?

I mean, I love this film too, but the movie was supposed to be a flop, a big loss, a money pit. It was a slightly shady attempt to lose money by the production company


Title: The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai
Post by: on November 25, 2006, 04:09:49 PM

I love this movie.

It's the only film I know of that takes longer to explain than it does to watch.

I need to go and watch it again tonight.


Title: The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai
Post by: IT on November 25, 2006, 04:09:49 PM
Seen this one when I was in highschool and it was one of the funniest movies that I'VE ever scene.Me and my friends was tearing up the town trying to find one of those PERFECT TOMMY jackets but never did damn.


Title: The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai
Post by: Lark Logan on November 25, 2006, 04:10:12 PM
I remeber catching this film when it first came out with one of my totally "out there artsy type" friends in Boston.  There were a handful of people in the theatre at the Prudential Center and all of us...absolutely cheered and raved during the film.  Peter Weller and Jeff Goldblum were terrific, the other charcters were fascinating, and Perfect Tommy was a walking Armani ad, bleached hair and all.

I have always loved this film and can only imagine it's failure at the box office was its extremely surreal nature.  I have to say, I was disappointed the hinted sequel was never made.  

I think the line I loved the most occured during the scene were Buckaroo first sees Penny and he says something like, "No matter where you go, there you are."  That one always stayed with me.  It was just the epitome of cool!


Title: The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai
Post by: JoJo on November 25, 2006, 04:10:12 PM
I saw this recently on T.V. late at night. It was the most eighties thing I've ever seen. Even Buckaroo Bonzai didn't seem convincing as an action hero because he looked a lot like Adam Ant. But the cheeziness somehow worked because it didn't make that deadly, all-too-common mistake of taking itself too seriously. Plus the plot involving the War of the Worlds broadcast was very clever. I could also see many similarities to "Bad Taste", which is always good.  


Title: The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai
Post by: UKNOWHOO on September 14, 2006, 11:25:51 PM
I love Badmovies. This is one of my favs. Also Hardware, Cherry 2000 and SHE.


Title: The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai
Post by: Force on November 25, 2006, 04:10:12 PM
Have to agree, this movie was awesome, funny, filled with action, and sooo frikking detail oriented that it confuses people used to hollywood pablum where you ONLY get the details that relate to the story.

The watermelon is kind of symbolic of the movie- it's filled with lots of stuff that doesn't necessarily pertain, but like your grandpa's workshop, it's fascinating as a whole.

That's why I think the watermelon was an experiment that Banzai was conducting as a memory storage unit based on the architecture of the human brain.

We can only theorize as to the actual contents of the watermelon, but I would think they would contain a scanned record of every comic book in existence.

I have to admit, I really liked Peter Weller's version of "Since I don't have you", and have searched to download it numerous times, with no success.


Title: The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai
Post by: Datan0de on November 25, 2006, 04:10:12 PM
What is this sample of perfection-in-filmmaking doing on BadMovies.org?!? I adore this movie, in ways that I can't fully describe on a family-friendly web site. I couldn't guess how many times I've seen it, whether in the theater, the two different VHS copies I've worn out, the DVD, or the rip on my iPod. (Yes, I carry it with me. "Wherever I go, there it is!")

It's not my favorite movie of all time, but it's definitely in my top 10 and probably in my top 5. Thank the powers that be that the folks who put out the DVD *get* it, and gave it the treatment it deserves.

One word of warning for new Blue Blaze Irregulars- this is a very "dense" movie. You're dropped into the middle of an adventure already in progress, and there's an awful lot going on. Don't expect to fully understand everything after just one viewing, or even three for that matter. Just hang on tight and enjoy the ride!

By the way, since nobody else here mentioned it I'll state that the comic book adaptation (if you can find it) is actually quite good, and presents the story in a more easily digestible format.


Title: The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai
Post by: Shonkin on November 25, 2006, 04:10:12 PM
My idea of a perfect movie night would be a double feature with Buckaroo Banzai and Raising Arizona. Both of them are so filled with silliness delivered with completely serious faces that the giddiness each induced in me reminds me of the other. They are nothing alike. But the effects were quite like. Buckaroo became a smash hit in the communal group I was (and still am) part of; we all went around quoting it, occasionally even the "naughty" bits (John Smallberries?!). If a triple-feature were in order, I would toss UHF in, not because it is really as good as the other two, but it does have a similar flavor... anyway, thanks for reawakening the good memories.


Title: Re: The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai
Post by: Rick Miller on February 07, 2008, 02:19:06 PM
 I saw this movie on VHS about a year after it was made,I was in high school and a pretty wierd guy(still am). The first time I saw it I peed myself. We rewound the tape a hundred times listening to why's there a there-I'll tell you later, laughing till we cried. "How you live your personal life is your business but I'm here to see a God dahm bomber", classic! And let's not forget the hunters pocking at the tree with the space ship in it with a stick. "he's crackling"-"yeh,and we're standing in water". And my all time favorite-"Akita,what is it","it's your hand Buckaroo". If you don't love this film, you have a low IQ,and just don't get it. They should play this movie at the DMV and if you don't like,you should not be allowed to recieve your drivers license!!!! Rick De La New Daddy


Title: Re: The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai
Post by: yodaswisdom on February 10, 2008, 10:21:24 PM
TRIVIA OF THE MOVIE (thank you IMDB)

When it came time to film the end titles sequence, where Buckaroo and pals are walking around a dry L.A. aqueduct in step to the music, the music wasn't ready. Composer Michael Boddicker told the film crew to use "Uptown Girl" by Billy Joel as a placeholder because it was the exact same tempo. Those scenes were filmed with "Uptown Girl" blaring from a boom box tied to the back of the camera truck.


Title: Re: The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai
Post by: Kruge on February 13, 2008, 02:41:03 PM
little factoid on the side: Star Trek#s Starfleet ships all have a plaque on their bridge with ... well, the "Motto" of the ship. On the Enterprise it of course is "To boldly go (...)". I can't remember the ship's name, but according to one of paramounts secondary books about Trek there's one ship with "Wherever you go there you are!" as it's motto. :)


Title: Re: The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai
Post by: NightRelic on May 27, 2008, 10:05:50 PM
Never been so bored in my life. I may have to try it again someday. I probably wasn't seeing it from the right perspective.


Title: The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai anniversary coming up 2009
Post by: Tommyboybbi on February 13, 2009, 08:52:16 PM
I enjoyed the movie the first time out in the theaters.  With a dedicated group of fans, Buckaroo Banzai has lived on.

It's 25 year anniversary is coming up on Aug. 15, 2009.

Fans from across the United states of creating meeting places in cities to share in the experience with fans.

Keep watch for more details.



Title: Re: The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai
Post by: Bonkers on April 01, 2009, 08:08:46 AM
I loved this movie. But I am conflicted slightly as to the rating. I think it is a good movie and a bad movie. So does it rate a really bad rating or a really good rating?
I am of 2 minds here. So my current decision is 4 stars.
I mean, Alien lectroids from planet 10 by way of the 8th dimesion?
You just can't beat that with a stick.
So I mildly protest the 3 star rating and petition that it should be raised to the lofty status of 4 stars.
What say you fellow fans? Raise your voices and be heard. This travesty shall not go unavenged!
Ok, a little heavy I admit it.   LOL
But still, let this be fixed and I shall attain true happiness.
LOL


Title: Re: The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai
Post by: Trudy on May 16, 2009, 11:56:59 AM
When I first saw this movie in the 80's I was still impressionable, and young. Dr. Banzai was then and will forever be my ideal man. This  is on my best bad movie list as number one.


Title: Re: The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai
Post by: Erik on August 11, 2009, 10:23:44 AM
Does anyone realise that the movie wasn't supposed to be any good?

I mean, I love this film too, but the movie was supposed to be a flop, a big loss, a money pit. It was a slightly shady attempt to lose money by the production company

Not exactly true.

The production crew, producers, actors, director, writers, everyone was doing their best to make a great fun film. It was the narrow-minded view of a disturbed mind among the Powers That Be who gave the film the green light, then tried to interfere with (some even say sabotage) the film throughout shooting and into marketing. By the time the film was released, this person was so convinced that the film was terrible that he allocated almost no money for advertising, and released the film in such a limited run so as to guarantee a flop. So it wasn't so much a scheme as a pathologically self-fulfilling prophecy.

A Bad Movie or not, this film changed my life. And that's really all there is say about that.


Title: Re: The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai
Post by: Tuan Jim on August 16, 2009, 06:24:54 PM
Just watched this last night (25th anniversary) at the AFI Silver theater (Totally 80's III) in DC with a full house - absolutely incredible.  Movies like this are so much more fun with the right sort of audience. 


Title: Re: The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai
Post by: Bonesy on July 09, 2010, 12:03:39 AM
I don't really consider this a 'bad movie'. It is highly entertaining, is really original, doesn't take itself too seriously, has some great actors and has some very amusing moments. I thoroughly enjoyed this movie as did my flat mates when I put it on a few months ago.

However I'm glad it was reviewed here as I remember seeing it when I was very young and have wanted to watch it since but had no idea what the movie was called or how to track it down. It wasn't until I read this review I realised this must have been it. Like a few other movies reviewed on this website I rate Buckeroo Banzai more of a cult movie rather than a bad movie.


Title: Re: The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai
Post by: Andrew on July 10, 2010, 08:32:46 PM
I don't really consider this a 'bad movie'. It is highly entertaining, is really original, doesn't take itself too seriously, has some great actors and has some very amusing moments. I thoroughly enjoyed this movie as did my flat mates when I put it on a few months ago.

This certainly is more of the cult/weird type of film that I review, because it fits with the "feel" of bad movies per my tastes.  It is also one of the older reviews on the site, being one I wrote in the first year or two, and scheduled for updating at some point in the future. 


Title: Re: The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai
Post by: Kampfgruppe Cottrell on January 19, 2011, 02:47:09 PM
My wife and I are still Blue Blazer Regulars waiting for the call from Buckaroo.

Brian


Title: Re: The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai
Post by: Joexrayguy on April 25, 2014, 08:50:57 PM
I love this movie. It IS like watching a comic book in cinema form, everything is so extreme and everybody plays it so straight, they are so into it. I love that you get dropped right into the middle of the story and you kind of have to fill things in for yourself. I heard they blew most of the budget on the opening part with the rocket truck and thats why so much of the rest of the sets and effects look cheap.  BUT I like that the Black Lectroids ship has loose conduit and junk hanging around, why does everything have to be slick and chrome all the time. Some funny lines in the bar scene and possibly THE COOLEST CLOSING CREDITS I've ever seen in a movie.


Title: Re: The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai
Post by: Parralax view on May 17, 2016, 04:35:57 PM
This is an odd one to be sure.  Somehow some of it works, some of it doesn't.  Having a band of scientists that just happen to smoke on their instruments doesn't.  However the "decoder ring" atmosphere of the thing does.  The aliens do not work for my tastes, but their ships do.  Again, an oddity that is just quirky enough to be entertaining, and Ellen Barkin was at her prime here.