Flash Gordon

EMAIL PRINTUniversal Pictures

7.5 User Score:

Generally favorable reviews

Based on 6 critic reviews
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Based on 4 votes
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Movie Info

Genre(s): Action | Adventure | Comedy | Fantasy | Sci-fi

Written by: Alex Raymond (characters)
Michael Allin (adaptation)
Lorenzo Semple Jr.

Directed by: Mike Hodges

Release Date:
Theatrical: December 5, 1980
DVD: August 7, 2007

Running Time: 111 minutes, Color

Origin: USA / UK

Summary

RATING: PG for mild violence and adult situations

Starring Sam J. Jones, Melody Anderson, Timothy Dalton, Ornella Muti, Brian Blessed, Topol, Peter Wyngarde, and Max von Sydow

Emperor Ming of planet Mongo is bored, and the only thing that seems to appease his ennui is to slowly destroy that celestial trifle known as Earth-- bombarding his new plaything with hailstorms and earthquakes. While Earth’s inhabitants scramble to understand what is happening to their planet, Dr. Hans Zarkov figures out the space coordinates of the origin of attack and commandeers a rocket. But before take-off, he inadvertently kidnaps beautiful New York reporter, Dale Arden, and famed football player, Flash Gordon. Will these mere Earthlings be able to stop the wrath of Emperor Ming? Maybe not, but Flash Gordon is no mere Earthling; he’s a New York Jet.

Also On Metacritic

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Also On The Web: IMDb Official Studio Site

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

Empire Adam Smith

This campy extravaganza has it all - heroes, villains, beautiful women and high stakes. Laughably bad and fantastically good all at once, this is a guilty pleasure that everyone can enjoy.

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Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert

"Flash Gordon" is played for laughs, and wisely so. It is no more sophisticated than the comic strip it's based on, and that takes the curse off of material that was old before it was born. Is all of this ridiculous? Of course. Is it fun? Yeah, sort of, it is.

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Chicago Reader Dave Kehr

Better than it might have been, given the limitations of this kind of brand-name filmmaking. Hodges doesn't shirk his duties, and though the film lapses too often into easy facetiousness, much of it feels surprisingly substantial. The action moves smoothly and logically, finding a rhythm that engages your attention despite the patent lack of inspiration and genuine commitment.

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The Globe and Mail (Toronto) Jay Scott

The frantic pleasures of this film add up to what used to be considered good fun; good Saturday morning fun; good Saturday morning fun to eat pancakes and pour maple syrup by; good fun that, once the day begins, is good fun soon forgotten. It's a pity Flash Gordon can't be screened at the breakfast table. [6 Dec 1980, p.E7]

TV Guide Staff (Not Credited)

The only good thing about this would-be camp version of the classic 1936 serial is the impressive production design by Danilo Donati.

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Boston Globe Michael Blowen

If you enjoy laughing at a movie, rather than with it, then you might get a few chuckles. [18 Dec 1980, p.1]

What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this movie is 7.5 (out of 10) based on 4 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Steven M. gave it a7:
OK, first -- this is the best bad movie ever made. You can make drinking games of the unintential (or are they?) gay scenes, and the scenes where our hero (Jones) just acts ... well, doesn't act. You know those films that are so bad they are brilliant? Like "Batman" from the 60s? This is the top one in my book. Watch, laugh, have fun, and thank the god you worship that you didn't fund its production.

Tim P. gave it a6:
It is what it is. No sense in taking it too seriously. It was, I must say, awesome as a kid.