Space Truckers

To begin, let me just clarify by saying that I consider myself a true science fiction buff: Whether it be novels, films, or long-standing franchises such as Star Trek or Star Wars. That said I believe this film's less-than-stellar rating has a lot to do with expectations going into the viewing. I suppose it's fortunate that I went in with expectations through the basement floor and as such came away quite impressed with the quaint charm Stuart Gordon was able to inject into this project.

Released in a time when science fiction properties weren't exactly the hot topic (after all, Dennis Hopper had signed on board directly after having concluded work on Costner's disastrous Waterworld), Space Truckers uses humor to break up the drudgery of life on the road (or space lane as the case may be). Truthfully, this should probably be expected considering former National Lampoon editor Ted Mann scripted the picture. With a budget of $25 million (in early 1990's dollars) the entire project was filmed at Ireland's Ardmore Studios and then shown at several 1997 film festivals (Sundance, Sitges, Vancouver).

The story takes place in the year 2196 and follows the exploits of freight pilot John Canyon (Dennis Hopper), one of few remaining independent space truckers competing against huge corporations. It begins with Canyon's (late) attempt to deliver a cargo of living pigs, which just so happen to be genetically engineered square and stackable for more efficient shipping in cargo containers, when he discovers that his profits are severely decreased when labor boss (George Wendt) is anything but happy about the latesness of his arrival.

This leads to Canyon rebelling against the system by accepting a questionable cargo that pays some five-times the normal rate. The catch? Don't ask, don't tell on exactly what's in the cargo containers in tow. Canyon then heads for Earth accompanied by young apprentice trucker Mike Pucci (Stephen Dorff) and slutty waitress Cindy (Debi Mazar), who agrees to marry Canyon if he can get her safely to the blue planet to visit with her sickly mother.

The real good stuff begins when pirates capture Canyon's antiquated truck (the Pachyderm 2000) and the cargo he's transporting once Canyon turns off the patrolled space shipping lanes in favor of the risky "Scum Zone". Their ship is high jacked by pirates led by disfigured cyborg, Macanudo (played by Charles Dance).

What it all comes down to is 97 minutes of light-hearted but unique science fiction with some witty dialog to pull laughs (over slap stick, thankfully). The show's kitschy charm could perhaps best be compared to another science fiction entry of the era, The Fifth Element. Outfits and sets are bright and colorful but the physics are, for the most part, nice and accurate. Backgrounds are tight with accurate mood portrayed throughout (especially the space truck stop "The Hub" which features terrain that loops and winds right up the walls).

Effects work invokes back to the era of practical and optical work without reliance upon computer generated imaging (although there are a few examples of it to be found here when wires and lighting work weren't quite cutting it).

I think a lot of the problem people have with this film is the automatic association the title makes with Ridley Scott's 1979 horror thriller, Alien (an association only further established when looking at the DVD cover art). Sure both stories essentially tell the tale of the gritty realities of a future-time when interstellar travel is a fact of life and somebody out there is going to be charged with the task of transporting cargo long distances. Aside from that resemblance, the stories go about their grander arc much differently. Space Truckers maintains such current-trucker ideals as country music, truck stop cafes, established shipping routes, and corporate greed forcing independent haulers to take dangerous risks to stand a chance. It should also be noted that the film had gone through many name iterations before finally being solidified as Space Truckers; one of the funnier alternatives was Star Truck, which could probably have earned a chuckle from even the most fastidious Trekkie.

So long as you realize that this is a light-hearted space adventure designed for a big bowl of popcorn and a few giggles, you will be in for a quite a treat. Dennis Hopper, in a rare opportunity to play the good guy, delivers just a wonderful performance. He's personable, likable, and downright funny in a majority of his delivery. A performance rivaled only by the enigmatic Charles Dance, who is said to have accepted the role based on his teenage daughter's enjoyment of the script.

As an added bonus the extras on this disc are surprisingly thorough and include a making of documentary, filmography of the main cast, original trailer, and a full commentary track by Stuart Gordon (which is quite interesting). Finally, it is said there is a hidden bonus feature that can only be unlocked by the viewer. If anyone out there knows how, please do share.