So what is camp, anyway? When someone refers to a TV show, or a film as being camp, or campy, what are they talking about? According to Merriam-Webster, camp is something that is "so outrageously artificial, affected, inappropriate, or out-of-date as to be amusing". The word that's missing from that definition is 'fun'; camp is fun.
Classic Movie Trailers: Flash Gordon (1980);
There's been a few 'campy' versions of Batman, and it's ironic, to think of it. That character has one of the darkest origins in comics, and yet, there are periods in his history, most notably comic's Silver Age, that allow lighter interpretations. The best examples include the 60's TV show, and 'The Brave and The Bold'. However, like Green Hornet, The Caped Crusader must ultimately, return to more serious roots.
Enter The Flash, or in this case, Flash Gordon. During the 30's, his strip had a powerful influence, on the birth of the super-powered heroes, that would eventually steal his thunder. But you can't steal fun, and in 1980, when public consciousness of Flash was returning, thanks to an animated series, we got this Hodges/De Laurentiis production. It followed the release of "Superman" and "Star Wars", and if you love the visual effects in those movies, you'll be delighted here.
As for the comedy, it's performed with the utmost seriousness, and I think that's a trade secret. Go too far, with the winks and the nudges, and you'll have Schwarzenegger, in a Mister Freeze costume, telling you to "chill out". Get too serious, and you'll be expecting your audiences to buy outrageous things: like aliens from outer space, that look like men from Kansas. Forgive me, but that's the advantage that "Flash Gordon" has; it's high-adventure and action and fun, that's never feigns at making sense. Never.
To go along with the light-heartedness, the music by Queen is akin to the exaggerated letters, and spiky word balloons, you would find on the page. It's wonderfully complimentary, and the film would be so much less without it. In regards to the effects, you could arguably say the same. The flying lasers in this film, emphasize the comic-strip roots; so, in this environment, the feel of them is different, than in the Sci-Fi epic, "Star Wars".
"Flash Gordon" may be lesser known, but it's just as memorable, as George Lucas's film. The production quality is comparable to it. The cast, which features Timothy Dalton and Max Von Sydow, is just as strong, or stronger. If I haven't sold you yet I'm not going to, but if I have, then grab a snack, kick back, and get ready for a good time.
No comments:
Post a Comment