The Last Starfighter

Review

Common Sense Media says

Lighthearted space adventure has a fun '80s feel.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

Not yet rated

Kids say

Not yet rated

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that Alex is recruited to fight aliens, and there are explosions and moments where aliens die. But besides some slightly scary alien faces, there is not much gore. Teenagers on Earth are shown making out by the lake in very '80s hair and makeup. There is some mild profanity as well.

  • Positive messages2
    At the trailer park where Alex and Maggie live, people help one another to fix things and act like a community. Because of his amazing video game skills, Alex is recruited to go to another planet in order to help the people of Rylos defeat their enemy. He agrees, grudgingly, and works with other alien species to achieve a common goal.
  • Positive role models2
    Alex is a stern older brother who watches out for his younger sibling. Maggie takes care of her grandmother. They work toward their goals and are committed to being with each other. Alex's mom works hard, and Alex helps her around the trailer park.
  • Violence3
    Lasers, rockets, bad aliens with scary faces. This is a movie about an alien race who wants to take over the universe, and as the title suggests, there are shootouts and fight scenes. Because of the lighthearted humor, the violence is not gory. There are explosions though, and Alex's skills as a starfighter are highlighted. Younger viewers might find some of the aliens to be scary.
  • Sex3
    Teenage make-out sessions are standard, and Alex's mom watches he and Maggie share a long smooch goodnight. Kid brother Louis has a collection of Playboy magazines, which he peruses, though the audience sees no nudity. One teenage girl asks her boyfriend to "talk dirty to me." No body parts are shown, though Maggie complains when Alex's double does not share her sensual enthusiasm.
  • Language3
    Louis, the kid brother, cusses more than anybody. Profanity includes "s--t," "crapola," "hell," and "Oh my God."
  • Consumerism2
    Budweiser beer sign and beer in hand of trailer park dweller. And yes, Playboy magazine.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking2
    Alex implies that his friends "get drunk and throw up every Saturday night." Viewers do not see this, but the friends do drive around rowdily and make out at the lake. An old man smokes a pipe and a beer can is seen in an older man's hand.
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What's the story?

Alex Rogan (Lance Guest) is tied to the trailer park where his family lives. He wants to go to away to college, in order make something of his life. But when his application for a student loan is turned down, his hopes crumble. The only thing -- other than his girlfriend Maggie -- that brings him joy is playing the video game called the Last Starfighter. In fact, he is so good at the game that he breaks the machine's record, attracting admiration from all of the community. What he doesn't realize is that the video game is a recruiting device designed by a fast-talking alien named Centauri (Robert Preston.) Centauri comes to Earth to take Alex to the planet Rylos to fight on his planet's behalf. Alex is unwilling to take on the challenge, but changes his mind once he returns to Earth to find that real danger lurks outside his trailer window.

Is it any good?

 

THE LAST STARFIGHTER isn't the absolute best outer space action film ever made, but it has heart, and older kids will enjoy the weird aliens and video game themes. Parents might enjoy remembering when one video game machine was all it took to make a Saturday night memorable.

Though Star Wars fans might notice some musical and special effects similarities, these rip-offs don't detract too much from the movie's positive qualities. One of these pluses is the presence of Robert Preston, who plays Centauri, a fly-by-night recruiter of star-fighting talent. Without Preston, the movie could be a pass, but his big-tent voice and charisma gives this movie a memorable lift. Overall, a decent watch for sci-fi fans.

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What families can talk about

  • Parents can talk about older movies. Does this one feel too dated to be relevant? Do the old-fashioned styles distract from the action? Could you see this movie being remade? If so, how could it be updated, and what actors would you like to see playing the main roles?

  • Discuss the role of video games and their cultural role. There's a scene where Alex breaks the record on the video game. Everyone in the trailer park comes to watch him do this and to celebrate his victory. Is this a realistic scenario in this day and age? Why not?

  • Alex is not sure that he wants to be a starfighter. What changes his mind? Do you agree with this decision?

  • Maggie and Alex decide to be together "forever." What does forever mean to you? Can a teenager know what forever means? Why or why not?

This review was written by Joly Herman
Parent of 11 and 12 year old
December 4, 2011
AGE
7
 
The Best Starfighter
Ludicrous special effects (the meteor gun) combined with terrific ones (death blossom) make for a funny technological dichotomy This story has the feel of the entire Star Wars movie wrapped up into one film. Humble hero is discovered and steered towards his destiny of savior. Alex has a more thoughtful, take charge attitude. He has a hero's heart where Luke Skywalker more or less must be nudged throughout most of his journey. One of Alex's decisions is rejecting his role knowing full well he's far too sensible a person to be a hero deliberately. He becomes a hero when he's needed, not for glory. It's a simple story done well. Nice touches that take into account his uncertainty and unprepared condition demonstrate a script that took the time to get science fiction right. Memorable supporting characters, dialog and villains make The Last Starfighter a surefire hit with the younger crowd that may harbor dreams of being Gunstar pilots themselves.
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Helped me decide (9) | Had useful details (5) | Read my mind (6)
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Adult
April 9, 2008
AGE
8
 
Good Space Sci-Fi Action Adventure Comedy
80's Sci-Fi
Was this review useful?
Helped me decide (6) | Had useful details (4) | Read my mind (7)
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This review was written by Joly Herman
Topics:adventures, space and aliens
Studio:Universal Pictures
Director:Nick Castle
Cast:Catherine Mary Stewart, Dan O'Herlihy, Lance Guest
Genre:Science Fiction
Run time:101 minutes
Theatrical release date:January 1, 1984
DVD release date:June 8, 1999
MPAA rating:PG
This review was written by Joly Herman
 

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About our rating system
ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
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BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.
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