5 Star

Parody Brilliance

Yes, Yes, Yes, Finally Sci-Fi fans can rejoice, as Arrow Video Publicity release the best parody film ever on 4K UHD with a shed load of extras (see below). Spaceballs is writer/director Mel Brooks (The Land of Sometimes. Blazing Saddles) Sci-fi magnum opus. Spaceballs parodies the original Star Wars series plus all the popular sci-Fi films of the late 1970-80s, and is just full of Easter Eggs for the sharp-eyed viewer. Just sit back hold your sides as this quirky ensemble have you laughing out loud.

In a galaxy “very, very, very, very far away”

The evil Spaceballs leader President Skroob (Mel Brooks) and his subjects have squandered their planets’ atmosphere, and they have to sort this problem. They have a plan, steal the atmosphere from the nearby planet of Druidia, but there is a problem, Druidia has an “Air-Shield” that is protected by a password to the door in the atmosphere.

This plan is unbeknownst to the inhabitants of Druidia, as their attention is on the nuptials of princess Vespa (Daphne Zuniga, Melrose Place (TV Series), One Tree Hill) (TV Series), and her arranged marriage to prince Valium (Jim J. Bullock, Ron and Laura Take Back America, Too Close for Comfort (TV Series)). Vespa and her robot maid Dot Matrix. (Joan Rivers, Serial Mom, Iron Man 3) make a break for it, and head into space, where they encounter Spaceball One, commanded by Colonel Sandurz (George Wyner, Fletch, A Serious Man) and Skroob’s enforcer, Dark Helmet (Rick Moranis, Little Shop of Horrors, Ghostbusters), who wields the mystical power of the Schwartz. They see an opportunity to kidnap the princess and force her father King Rolandto (Dick Van Patten, Westworld, Soylent Green) give them the password to their atmosphere.

Meanwhile, out in space, mercenary Lone Starr (Bill Pullman, Independence Day, Independence Day: Resurgence) and his half-man-half dog sidekick Barf (John Candy, Uncle Buck, Planes, Trains & Automobiles) travel around in their Winnebago RV spaceship Eagle 5, trying to find their next score. Luckily for them that King Rolandto gets in touch and offers them a hefty reward for his daughters return, this is very handy as they owe crime boss Pizza the Hutt (Dom DeLuise, The Cannonball Run, The Secret of NIMH) a lot of money.

After a successful rescue, they unfortunately crash-land on a desert planet, where they succumb to the heat, but are rescued by the tiny Dink-Dinks. They take them to a hidden temple where they meet Yogurt (Mel Brooks) who is skilled in the way of the Schwartz, and we find that Star has an innate ability to use the Schwartz, which can prepare him to go up against the other Schwartz wielder Dark Helmet.

Spaceballs is ninety-six minutes of pure Sci-fi joy, and with rumours of a sequel this is the perfect time to own this slice of Sci-Fi history on 4K UHD. Pure joy.

Spaceballs Limited Edition 4K UHD [Blu-ray] [Region Free] is available now.

4K ULTRA HD BLU-RAY LIMITED EDITION CONTENTS

4K (2160p) UHD Blu-ray presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible)
Original lossless 2.0 stereo audio
Original 70mm 6-track mix in DTS-HD MA 4.1 surround
Optional remixed 5.1 DTS-HD MA surround audio
Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
Audio commentary by writer/producer/director/actor Mel Brooks
Spaceballs: The Documentary, an in-depth look at the making of the film
Farce Yourself! Spaceballs and the Skroobing of Sci-fi, a featurette in which Mel Brooks looks back on the making of the film
In Conversation: Mel Brooks & Thomas Meehan, a conversation between the two writers about the film’s genesis
John Candy: Comic Spirit, a retrospective look at the life and career of the late comedian
Archival behind-the-scenes featurette
Storyboard-to-film comparison
Film Flubs, a humorous look at the film’s goofs and continuity errors
Watch Spaceballs in Ludicrous Speed
Mawgese and Dinkese alien soundtrack extracts
Exhibitor trailer, with introduction by Mel Brooks
Theatrical and teaser trailer
Spaceballs: The Behind-the-Movie Photos
Spaceballs: The Costume Gallery
Spaceballs: The Art Gallery
Image gallery
Reversible sleeve featuring two choices of original artwork
Double-sided foldout poster
Four postcard-sized artcards