Wing Commander (US)

Ever since I was a young`un i`ve been playing the Wing Commander series of video games. I`ve more or less grown up with the story of the brave Christopher Blair in his fight against the Kilrathi meanies.

Rumours of a film had been circulating for a long time, and when it was finally revealed that Chris Roberts (God of the Wing Commander universe) and his new digital effects company, Digital Anvil, had started on the script much rejoicing was heard by fans.

The plot of the film revolves around the fact that the Kilrathi have raided a Confederation outpost and stolen a navigational computer, filled with lots of tasty information, such as the locations of the entire Confed fleet for instance, and more importantly, the co-ordinates of Earth.

Blair (Freddie Prinze Jr) and his academy chum Todd "Maniac" Marshall (Matthew Lillard) are called into action to retrieve the computer and plot to destroy the Kilrathi fleet, before the Kilrathi destroy the Earth. Their commanding officer, Jeanette "Angel" Devereaux is played to perfection by brit-pack hot property Saffron Burrows.

The story, to be honest, is fairly standard sci-fi fare. The difference here is in the execution. This film doesn`t look like a glossy hollywood production. It has a European cast (including the great Tchéky Karyo). It`s gritty and dark, which is what you`d expect when onboard an ageing space-carrier in the middle of an intergalactic war.

This film gave me the impression of being a "Star Wars" but without the publicity and hype. The story is there, the effects are there and in the end you are left with a pretty enjoyable film -- just dont expect to find the meaning of life hidden inside.

Being an old time aquaintance of the Wing Commander universe through it`s games and novels i was looking forward to see this movie.

As a Wing Commander fan i was grossly dissapointed, the story did not match the WC storyline that had already been established by the games, neither did the characters, or the scenery. The most you could say about the established Wing Commander products and the movie is that `there are some similarities`. It is about Christopher blair, and a few of the characters from the games are in it, although playing in new roles/personalities/nationalities/religious beliefs(?!).

As a sci-fi movie though it is pretty decent. If you have no knowledge of the WC universe or if you try not to make a comparrison this is a pretty enjoyable film.

If you want a Wing Commander experience, prepare to be dissapointed.. But if you just want to see another sci-fi flick, this would be a good choice.

Blair, Maniac and Taggart are 3 fleet pilots who are asked to deliver a coded message to a big fleet ship far away. They do this and join the ship in their battle to save Earth from warring aliens who are moving in to attack.

The movie boasts a good cast of Freddie Prinze Jnr, Matthew Lillard and Saffron Burrows but the direction is at times poor. I feel the effects also could have been better. We only see the aliens in a few scenes and the space scenes dont really feel that authentic. The movie is both fun and enjoyable if you ease back and give your mind a rest for about 90 mins.

Obiviously there are numerous comparisons with the movie Starship troopers but this movie doesnt have the humour, style or witty dialogue that Starship Troopers boasts. Starship Troopers is by far a better made movie but this is a half-decent movie in its own rights.

The DVD is quite old (1999) but still has a clear sharp picture with small signs of grain. There are some parts where sharpness is a little lacking but its not that common and doesnt spoil the movie in anyway. The sound is a good 5.1. Like I said before the dvd is a little dated and the sound is improving more and more as dvds come out. Additionally, there is a trailer and a couple of tv spots. Sci-Fi movies always demand lots of special features and this sadly was lacking in them.

This is one to rent or watch on tv. I dont think its worthwile buying unless its dirt-cheap.