Flash Gordon and the cult that isn't

Flash Gordon, 1980

This movie is madly entertaining, maybe not for the reasons it was intended but I sat through this two hour movie absolutely riveted. The opening sequence with Queen’s music grabs the viewer as Emperor Ming plans Earth’s destruction (motive---because he can, oooh, evil!)
Flash Gordon, the football player and accidental hero who would have been better played by Dolph Lundgren from his ‘Rocky IV’ or ‘Universal Soldier’ days ends up in Ming’s part of the universe with a woman and a mad scientist. Flash Gordon (QB for the NY Giants) leads a revolt against the evil Ming. The entire premise is that Gordon is the every man, the hero that all men possess; unfortunately he’s more boring than Spiderman (sorry Spidey fans).

This is a silly movie and not to be taken seriously (he doesn’t attack the guards with fists, he plays football against them), which is good because there are serious continuity issues (11 days and the Earth will be destroyed yet it seems like only 2 or 3 have passed.) The special effects are reflective of the 1930’s movie serials and not of the technology available at the time (don’t miss an original 1936 Flash Gordon serial in the ‘extras’ section.)

The costumes, set pieces, and the entire movie as a whole are visually stunning. The colors are loud and at times trippy, almost reminiscent of a psychedelic movie (more than once a ‘Yellow Submarine’ visual comparison was apt). This, coupled with Queen’s music and at times nifty camera work, sometimes made ‘Flash Gordon’ feel like a rock opera. All of the acting was flat which contributes to the feel of the B-movie this movie intentionally or unintentionally achieves. If the actors could act, then it would have been obvious that this wasn’t a serious sci-fi movie but it takes awhile to realize that the campiness is intentional (I think??). Why this movie isn’t a cult favorite and played at midnight shows is beyond me.