Enemy Mine
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Movie Reviews of Enemy Mine
Movie Review: A Timeless Example of an Era Passed
Summary: 4 Stars
1985 might as well have been an eternity ago to today's filmgoer who has become dependent upon heavily computer-generated imagery, fast cuts, and inconceivable perspectives. Enemy Mine could very easily be considered the opposite of these trends in every possible arena. Pacing is methodic, visual effects are all practical, and fairly restrictive sets force the viewer into appreciating the writing through dialog exchange.
The premise, based on the 1979 short story of the same title by Barry B. Longyear, takes place in the late 21st century, amidst an ongoing interstellar war between human beings (Bilateral Terran Alliance, or BTA as its referred) and the Dracs (a mysterious reptilian race). Human pilot Willis E. Davidge (Dennis Quaid) and Drac Jeriba "Jerry" Shigan (Louis Gossett, Jr.) engage in a spacecraft skirmish, which results in them both crash-landing on a hostile moon known as Fyrine IV.
The core of the tale works of the idea of members of opposing armed forces discovering that they have more in common than they do discrepancies. After initial residual hostilities, the two pilots eventually come to terms with the idea that cooperation is essential to survive the harsh environment. The story spans years, whereby the two lead characters learn to overcome their differences, become friends, and eventually share each other's languages and cultures.
Honestly, this is science fiction in the purest sense of the classification and despite a look, feel, and tones that never stray far from that fact, I can state with certainty that this film would likely appeal to anyone who appreciates good storytelling. The metaphor of enemies with no vendetta against each other aside from what their respective government's assign them is of course easily transferable to our world. The alien costumes and unearthly environment simply act to enhance the universally relatable prose. Additionally, themes of love transcending gender, race and even species are not only present here, but serve as the catalyst upon which the whole story is built.
Additionally, especially noteworthy is Louis Gossett, Jr.'s spectacular performance as the Drac. Say what you will about the charms of CG but Enemy Mine harkens back to a time when latex, rubber, and body paint were the means of creating something otherworldly for the screen. Not only is Gossett's performance spectacular but the simple fact that his presence opposite Dennis Quaid throughout production seems to have elevated Quaid's performance in terms of believability as well.
In all, Enemy Mine was most certainly lost to the wake left by science fiction giants Star Wars and Star Trek of the early 1980s during its original theatrical debut and while still readily available on the home market (in fact even as an affordable DVD double-pack with fellow 20th Century Fox 1980's science fiction film, Alien Nation), is sadly largely overlooked. In my opinion Enemy Mine serves a timeless reminder of an era where storytelling took precedence over flashy visuals and the appeal of science fiction was strongly interlaced with what it means to be human.
Movie Review: A film that almost never was
Summary: 4 Stars
I hate being nostalgic about movies, but I do remember a time when imagination was evident in every part of a production, when film posters were dynamic, visceral and iconic, when films looked like they were shot on film and not an HD camera with a sunset tint, when scores were done by orchestras instead of synthesizers and death metal guitars and, most important of all, when the lack of CGI technology forced the filmmakers into achieving visual effects through more practical means. The 1980s were filled with such movies and, looking back, I am glad that I grew up in that decade. Children now are exposed to altogether soulless movies.
Set in the late 21st Century, Enemy Mine has humans reaching out into the depths of space after achieving world peace. But a rival species, the alien race of the Drax, don't take to kindly to humans poking about the galaxy and an interstellar war kicks off. A human pilot (Dennis Quaid) and a lone Drac (Louis Gossett Jnr.) crash land on a remote desert planet and learn, the hard way, to stick together if they want to survive. Despite their ultimate conflict they discover that they are not all that different from each other and neither yet both are to blame for the war.
Enemy Mine suffered from severe problems during production. Apparently the original director, Richard Longcraine (Wimbledon, Richard III), shot the entire film on location in Iceland before being replaced by Wolfgang Petersen who re-shot the whole film all over again but changed the story somewhat in the process. So, in reality, there are two completely different versions of Enemy Mine. One which was released into cinemas that has become a classic in its own right and another that only exists in the vaults of Twentieth Century Fox. I would love to see this alternate cut.
The fantastic photography and production design look very, very good for a film from 1985. Some of the effect shots and matte paintings are simply gorgeous and the cutting between desert locations and desert sets is almost seamless. This isn't like an episode of the original Star Trek series in which the cast simply take a half hour drive to a bit of desert outside of LA, the desert locations with the matte painting backgrounds look utterly authentic.
If you like the look and feel of films like The Dark Crystal and Labyrinth then you'll appreciate the fantasy of Enemy Mine. I know I am going to sound like an old coot but they just don't make films like this anymore. Everything these days seems to be geared towards the average ASBO teenage boy. In ten years time I honestly think that films will be no more than a test card that offends and stimulates no one.
I will consider myself lucky that films like this were once made and that they were a part of my formative years.
The DVD is in pretty damn good 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen with Dolby 4.0 sound and some slight extras.
Movie Review: Sssssmile When You Say That
Summary: 4 Stars
Draconians and Humans are having a war over territory (what else), firmly establishing that the same sort of nonsense that has occurred in human history between various races continues in space. The only difference is that the Draconians are actually reptilian versions of us. This movie attempts not so subtly to compare our racism throughout history, most particularly recent history, with the racism that is expressed against the Draconians.
Draconian Jeriba "Jerry" Shigan (Louis Gossett, Jr.) and macho Willis Davidge (Dennis Quaid) crash land on the same planet. Anything that happens before the crash is background and is nearly extraneous to the real story, which is how Jerry and Davidge grow to see each other as "people," and actually grow to care about each other. That is what the movie is about. However, the focus of the movie is not so much where the movie goes as the journey. The movie focuses a great deal of attention on the events that can draw different people together and cause them to understand each other. With understanding can come caring.
I know the previous paragraph sounds maudlin, sort of like "Lassie" in space, but this movie, in spite of its lukewarm critical reception, is interesting to watch. For years science fiction fans (as opposed to fantasy fans) have gloried in the fact that science fiction has always been able to explore topics where the main stream has difficulty. To phrase it another way, only us geeks watch this stuff, so no one cares what is in it. Thus this movie is able to show how two races come to a common purpose and you start to wonder whether there is any real difference between the races.
The only point I was unsure of in this movie was the birth of Zammis (Bumper Robinson). The whole birth process and the biological explanation were somewhat interesting. The attachment of Davidge to Zammis was expected, because biologically we are wired to protect young, regardless of the species (well, the sort of cute cuddly ones, anyway). Of course, the birth of Zammis did help set up the expected and somehow satisfying end of the movie.
I suppose that one of the biggest criticisms of this movie is that it went for such a cliché ending after the marvelous acting when Davidge and Jerry were isolated. Louis Gossett, Jr., particularly had a difficult acting job, portraying an alien, speaking in an alien language, and expressing emotions in heavy makeup. Louis Gossett, Jr., received a Saturn Award nomination for Best Actor, one of the six awards for which this movie was nominated. Unfortunately, the movie did not win any of the nominations. However, Louis Gossett, Jr., deserved to win at least one of the awards. Watch this one and see what I mean. Just do not expect lots of death rays and fight scenes.
Movie Review: He ain't ugly... He's my brother
Summary: 4 Stars
"Enemy Mine" is an unusual kind of film. If you walk in on someone watching it, it just looks kind of corny, and in some ways it is. In some ways it is kind of a sci-fi "dances With Wolves" (but thankfully not so long) where the protagonist soldier goes "Native" when deprived of the company of his own kind.
And while I don't want to read too much into this story, it does have a lot of food for thought, from how differences can seem much bigger than they are if reasonable people take the time to (pardon the metaphor) "walk a mile in the other persons moccasins", to what it means to be human. One of my favorite Authors, Orson Scott Card, has posited in one of his stories that it is impossible to really, truly know someone without loving something about them. I know, I know there are a million examples you can counter with, but it is food for thought.
Believe it or not, I used to tell a part of this story when teaching several classes on marriage relations. A weird part in this story is that the "Draconians" were asexual and "Gerry" the Draconian gives birth, he explains to the Human the reason why humans are so lonely is that they divided into two sexes. I used this as a metaphor to explain the "they shall no more be twain, but one flesh" scripture. I'm sure some may have had an issue with it, but it makes sense to me.
So here's the deal, this isn't the best sci-fi movie you'll ever watch, but it is one I really like, and you might too.
3 ¾ *
Movie Review: A Great Film
Summary: 4 Stars
I had searched high and low for years for the next hidden great classic sci-fi film for me to watch and I finally found it right under my nose.
Enemy Mine and me go way back...way, back to the first time I saw it on cable back when I was barely a teen and changed the channel after only attempting to watch only a few minutes of it. Since then, every time I saw it on cable, I would change the channel shortly thereafter. I used to wonder why it seem to have always pop up every now and again either in name or display. After watching it tonight, I discovered why.
It is a great film.
When I first saw it, I could not appreciate what makes this film so great, a story of loyalty, friendship, and good characters. This film is not your high speed space chase with with lasers blasting all over the screen and I think this is why I never gave the film a chance initially but I am glad I did tonight. The second half of teh film really gets even more interesting and was pretty moving. Great job by Louis Gossett Jr. and Dennis Quaid.
I highly recommend this film. Forget that the special effects are dated and just enjoy the characters and story.