Flash Gordon

Name: Flash Gordon
Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Released: December 5, 1980
Duration: 111 min
Rating: 58
Cast: Melody Anderson, Sam J. Jones

1980

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 13 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 52 Ratings

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6.9

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6.9	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 52 Ratings

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Flash Gordon

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Movie Details & Credits

Universal Pictures | Release Date: December 5, 1980 | PG

Starring: Melody Anderson, Sam J. Jones

Summary: 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 spaceEmperor 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. … Expand

Director: Mike Hodges

Genre(s): Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi, Thriller

Rating: PG

Runtime: 111 min

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Critic Reviews

David Ansen

Like the original, Flash Gordon has nothing on its mind but moving its jet-propelled plot from one fairy-tale setting to the next. It's nice to see a movie accomplish exactly what it sets out to do, with wit and spirit to boot. [08 Dec 1980, p.105]

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. Read full review

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. Read full review

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]

Staff (Not Credited)

The expensive new version of Flash Gordon is a lot more gaudy, and just as dumb, as the original series starring Buster Crabbe. Sam J. Jones in the title role has even less thespic range than Crabbe, but the badness of his performance is part of the fun of the film. Jones, a former Playgirl nude centerfold whose only previous film role was the husband of Bo Derek in 10, lumbers vacantly through the part of Flash Gordon with the naivete, fearlessness, and dopey line readings familiar from the 1930s serials. Film benefits greatly from the adroit performance of Max von Sydow as Emperor Ming. Read full review

Gary Arnold

As derivative interplanetary clunkers go, Flash Gordon is good for a few laughs -- some of them intentional. [05 Dec 1980, p.F1]

Vincent Canby

The best things in the production are the garishly absurd sets. The costumes, including the gold lame athletic supporters worn by the members of Ming's palace guard, suggest an adolescent's fever dream. The pacing is so funereal that this Flash Gordon seems far longer and far less funny that the 15-chapter serial, Flash Gordon's Trip to Mars (1938), which starred Buster Crabbe. [05 Dec 1980, p.C8]

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User Reviews

thethethe

Mar 6, 2014

The best movie ever. You don't even understand how good it is. Too good. Watch it now and buy 10000000000000000000000000 copies of it, then buy 100000 more.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Zilcell

Jan 18, 2013

best movie evaaaah!

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

DukeJon

Nov 1, 2017

Just a brilliantly fun film. Such a shame the special effects have aged rather badly, particularly the hawk-men. Amazing soundtrack by Queen. Worth watching for Brian Blessed's performance alone.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

KelvinSelimor

Jul 8, 2021

Flash Gordon. He'll save every one of us. Fast-forward to 80. The Queen band is recording an album for this film, but the film itself, unfortunately, does not pay off at the box office. But he's still not that bad. Interesting plot, cool music theme and funny characters, especially General Klytus.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

StevenM.

Sep 8, 2007

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 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.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful

foggydew94

Oct 3, 2022

Wow this is a film i suppose it is supposed to be a comedy of sorts but some of the scenes did not age well with some scenes feeling rather "rapey" that feels oddly dark in a comedy with such vivid colours and campy nature. That being said it is enjoyable with a killer sound track and BrianWow this is a film i suppose it is supposed to be a comedy of sorts but some of the scenes did not age well with some scenes feeling rather "rapey" that feels oddly dark in a comedy with such vivid colours and campy nature. That being said it is enjoyable with a killer sound track and Brian Blessed's character being a standout which isn't saying much as the acting from everyone else is comparable to porno acting.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

elguru

May 1, 2020

Trash, except max von sidow acting and the main theme song, all is bad.
The script, directing, acting, effects, costumes, edition and the whole story.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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