Supehero Media: Flash Gordon (1980)

Stone cold camp classic. Seriously, how can you not love this film? It's a big-budget remake of classic Golden Age serials, with the added artifice and sexuality that the 1980s could allow, with several great actors, and Sam Jones, who is... fine, really. I mean, it's Flash Gordon, you're not meant to take it seriously, you know? Just have fun with it. The story starts simply enough, with the Earth being threatened by Ming and Zarkov, Dale Arden and Flash blasting off in an experimental rocket to confront the problem; finding themselves in the uncanny world of Mongo, our heroes struggle to survive and get back in time to save their home. Again, "deep" is not a word I'd use to describe Flash Gordon, it's unashamedly pulp and revels in it, with plenty of declarative dialogue, pantomime acting and a blasting Queen soundtrack. I defy even the most jaded, edgelord, grim-and-gritty fanboy not to get excited when the score blasts back in with the line "king of the impossible" as Flash steers War Rocket Ajax into a death-dive on Ming's citadel. 

I think coming out after Star Wars really hurt Flash Gordon, as no one was looking for pulp any more in their sci-fi, though the Ted films have brought back the idea of it being a cult classic. On that note, if you're put off Ted by the usual Seth MacFarlane business, at least watch the sequence where Sam Jones does cocaine on YouTube, it's a blast. I love the design work of Flash Gordon, every costume, weapon and spaceship looks amazing, even if it is clearly a part of a costume or set. Some do look silly, like the Lizard-men, but the overall effect creates a cohesive world, with well-defined groups that can be identified with a glance. It's a great example of how to build a setting and is worth a look if you're one of those wargamers who wants to build a whole setting for their games. I don't necessarily recommend everything red and gold like Ming and associates, but strong colour schemes can be great. 

And the actors! Yes, Sam Jones is a bit rubbish, but Topol, Brian Blessed, Timothy Dalton and Max Von Syndow deliver gravitas mixed with high camp that Flash Gordon demands. Sure, having a white actor play an Asian-coded villain, as well as the Inscruitble Mastermind trope itself, are a bit racist for a film even of this era, but I just can't fully shake the brilliance of Syndow's performance, and tend to forgive it more than I probably should. Brian Blessed is one of the best parts of Flash Gordon, chewing scenery and relishing the absurdity of his dialogue with proper Shakespearean projection. Flash Gordon is pretty much a must-see for me, especially as there are so few really good non Marvel or DC superhero films out there, and this is just a fun 90 minute romp that manages to be greater than the sum of its parts. Forget the camp, forget the over-the-top and the glam, Flash Gordon is a joy to watch and well worth your time.