'Iron Sky' Warns Us to Beware of Space Nazis

News of an interesting science fiction film titled "Iron Sky" has recently hit the net. The movie was made in Australia, Germany, and Finland. It will be distributed worldwide and the primary language in it will be English. Timo Vuorensola, who many will know from his "Star Wreck" spoof movies, directed it.

"Iron Sky" is a sci-fi comedy that takes place in an alternate world where the Nazis escaped from the Earth by traveling to the Moon in 1945. Once there, they set up a secret base. Over the last few decades they have been preparing to return to Earth to take it over. As ridiculous as it sounds, the movie looks like it takes itself very seriously as far as special and visual effects are concerned.

I couldn't shake the feeling that I was watching a fake trailer or something from a Mel Brooks movie. The Nazi base on the moon is in the shape of a swastika. The children of the moon base are shown learning where they came from. We also see a technologically advanced spacecraft shaped like a hot air balloon that starfighters fly out of. The soldiers all have their Nazi storm trooper uniforms on with air masks. I was starting to wonder when Zero Mostel and Gene Wilder were going to pop out from behind a set curtain or something.

If it weren't for the great-looking special and visual effects, I would have never given this a chance when seeing the trailers for "Iron Sky." The movie visually reminds me of "Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow." Worst-case scenario, we'll get a sci-fi film that is interesting to look at.

The cast of "Iron Sky" includes Udo Kier, who is known as the creepy foreign guy in many films, including "End of Days." Christopher Kirby ("Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith," "The Matrix Revolutions") plays James Washington. It also stars French actor Julia Dietze and German-born Götz Otto in lead roles. Otto has been seen in "Tomorrow Never Dies," "Schindler's List," and many others.

Another interesting thing about "Iron Sky" is it's crowd-funded. What that means is individuals can buy merchandise or war bonds that feature limited items off the movie's website. The money goes toward the making of the film. People can also invest in the project directly if they want. It's a concept that many independent filmmakers have used lately.

The concept of "Iron Sky" looks like it could lead to a lot of fun. It's definitely a bit off the beaten path as far as movies go. I'm looking forward to taking it in when it hits theaters in the States.

"Iron Sky" was written by Johanna Sinisalo, Jarmo Puskala ("Star Wreck: In the Pirkinning"), and Michael Kalesniko ("Private Parts"). It's being produced by Blind Spot Pictures, Energia Productions, 27 Films, and New Holland Pictures. The movie comes out April 4, 2012.

For more articles by Eric Shirey, check out:

44 Years Ago: Mr. Spock Gives Us the Hand and Utters 'Live Long and Prosper' for the First Time
After Dark Originals Takes Us to 'Area 51'
'The Bleeding' Mixes World War II, Nazis, and Vampires

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