Space Marines (film)
| Space Marines | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | John Weidner |
| Written by | Rob Moreland |
| Cinematography | Garett Griffin |
| Edited by | Brian L. Chambers Daniel Lawrence |
| Music by | Randy Miller |
| Distributed by | Republic Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 95 minutes |
| Language | English |
Space Marines is a 1996 American science fiction film directed by John Weidner and written by Bob Moreland.
Plot
[edit]In the future, space has been colonized. As humanity expanded, the Marine Corps evolved into the Space Force. Colonel Fraser, a former Marine officer turned pirate, leads his pirates in hijacking a new synthetic explosive. This explosive, both light and concealable, serves as an ideal improvised explosive device. Fraser takes hostages at a local colony to draw out an Earth negotiator, who is escorted by a Marine fire team under the command of Captain "Gray Wolf" Gray. Fraser subsequently takes the negotiator and the Sergeant in charge of the security detail hostage on his ship. Following a brief space chase, Fraser issues demands for gold in exchange for the negotiator's life. Colonel Fraser is ultimately killed by a new recruit, who shoots him through his own torso, resulting in the deaths of both individuals.
Cast
[edit]- Billy Wirth as Zack Delano
- Cady Huffman as Dar Mullins
- John Pyper-Ferguson as Colonel Fraser
- Edward Albert as Captain Tom "Gray Wolf" Gray
- Meg Foster as Commander Lasser
- Blake Boyd as "Tex"
- T.J. Myers as Hologram
- Michael Bailey Smith as Gunther
- Ed Spila as Rodney "Hot Rod"
- Sherman Augustus as Rudy
- Bill Brochtrup as Hacker
- Kevin Page as "Lucky"
- James Shigeta as Ambassador Nakamura
- John Mansfield as Vice Minister Adams
- Sean Hennigan as Chuck
Production
[edit]The film is one the first Rob Moreland wrote.[1] It was shot in Dallas.[2]
Reception
[edit]The film received a mixed review in The Washington Post, writing it was very "silly but also cheerfully watchable".[3] Video Movie Guide stated: "Fans of old sci-fi serials should love this retro" production, where "Billy Wirth shines as the gleefully maniacal villain" and conceded that "Moreland's script has the sense not to take itself too seriously."[4] The film was also described as a "(c)heesy cable thriller (with) intergalactic marines",[5] in which Weidner's direction did not "always succeed in making derring-do look believable".[6]
Psychotronic Video found that "Although there are space ships and space battles, most of the slo mo deaths, explosions and gun battles take place in a James Bond type cavem/factory. Also with subplots, silicone packed hologram bar dancers and an especially weak ending."[2] "The effects aren't all bad but otherwise this is a standard direct to video fare with a dull script peppered with the usual violence, explosions and gunfire", wrote Howard Maxford in The A-Z of science fiction & fantasy films.[7] The entry for the film in Radio Times guide to science fiction contains a similar appraisal.[8]
References
[edit]- ^ Bernardi, Daniel; Hoxter, Julian (2017-09-12). Off the Page: Screenwriting in the Era of Media Convergence. Univ of California Press. ISBN 978-0-520-96104-3.
- ^ a b Psychotronic Video 24.
- ^ Shales, Tom (July 26, 1996). "'Space Marines': Zero Gravity". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved May 23, 2024.
- ^ Martin, Mick; Porter, Marsha (2003). DVD & Video Guide 2004. Ballantine Books. ISBN 978-0-345-44993-1.
- ^ Craddock, Jim (2006). Videohound's Golden Movie Retriever. Thomson Gale. ISBN 978-0-7876-8980-3.
- ^ Stanley, John (2000-08-01). Creature Features: The Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror Movie Guide. Penguin Publishing Group. ISBN 978-0-425-17517-0.
- ^ Maxford, Howard (1997). The A-Z of science fiction & fantasy films. Internet Archive. London : Batsford. ISBN 978-0-7134-8265-2.
- ^ Radio Times guide to science fiction. Internet Archive. London : BBC Worldwide. 2001. p. 301. ISBN 978-0-563-53460-0.
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