Forgotten Gems: Solarbabies

Thanks for checking out my review in a new feature I like to call Forgotten Gems.

I am a big fan of the 80s. I was born in the early 70s so the 80s hit me right when I was developing my own identity. PopCulture was created in the 80s and nothing has been the same since. Everything is trying to live up to the standard set in the 80s.

Most of the films that I recall in the 80s everyone has heard of. We all have. However there are a pile of movies a little left of the paved road that are dear to me. Perhaps to you as well.

Today, the movie I want to review is Solarbabies.

THE GENERAL IDEA

In a future in which most water has disappeared from the Earth, an orphanage, run by the despotic rulers of the new Earth is more like a prison. A group of kids have formed a “skateball” team and call themselves Solarbabies. The youngest member of the team (their mascot) finds an orb of special power, but is stolen by a mysterious outsider who escapes the orphanage. The Solarbabies escape from the orphanage and try to cross the wasteland looking for the orb as the stormtroopers search for them and the orb. They discover what is left of this postapocalyptic world, and an adventure that will change everything they know.

THE GOOD

The minimal effects are quite decent considering this film was made in 1986. They are not so cheesey that they take you out of the film, even by todays standards. The story is the real star here and it weaves a wonderful story of friendship and adventure at its heart. No gritty darkness or ultra real violence that seems to be the only trigger for entertainment these days, but still it manages to tell the tale of this strange fictional future.

Sarah Douglas plays the suit behind the enforcer cop and she is more menacing than the leader of the cops. Its no wonder she exudes an evil spirit as she was earlier seen as Ursa in Superman 2. Her part is brief but effective. She could recite nursery rhymes and still make it clear that their militaristic goals are evil.

Also in a supporting role of the strange outsider who first steals the orb from the Solarbabies, Heroes’ Adrian Pasadar (pictured above as in the movie) makes one of his earliest appearances in film.

Also, the orb has a name. It’s Bodhi. Before Patrick Swayze ever was.

THE BAD

The despotic leader of the Protectorate hardly makes for a menacing opposition. He reminds me of the bumbling LtHarris from Police Academy. Without the bumbling. He just doesn’t have the presence to lead a police force that is supposed to embody evil.

There is also a certain suspension of disbelief that is required just to include their trendy roller skates. The late 80s were clinging onto their quad roller skates and they wanted them to be cool in this movie too. The Solarbabies played a game like lacrosse on skates, and when they escaped they took to their skates to escape across the wasteland.. which conveniently had plenty of roads for them to run off on. The inclusion of rollerskates was completely uneccessary.

Also the group of friends is, by todays standards, a tired stereotype. The Solarbabies are lightly Scooby inspired with their handicapped sidekick, alpha male leader, hot brunette, nerdy computer guy, token black kid who breakdances and the musclebound jock.

OVERALL

A great family friendly adventure set in a post-apocalyptic future guarantees some light 80s cheese, some adventure, and a decent soundtrack as long as you don’t stay through the credits.

Typically this is where John or Doug would write a “Out of 10″ rating, but since all of these Forgotten Gems are going to be what I would rate a 8, 9 or 10, I have made my own rating system.

TV - Make a point of watching it if you see it listed on TV.
Rent - Good enough to go out of your way to see it, but not enough to buy it.
Buy - So good. You will watch it again and again. Buy it!

So on a scale of TV, Rent or Buy I give Solarbabies a Rent

Good enough for light entertainment, but not so great that you would have to explain it to people browsing your collection.