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Starman
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| Rated: PG-13 |
1984 |
Color |
115 mins |
| Starring:
Jeff Bridges. Karen Allen, Charles Martin Smith, Richard
Jaeckel, Robert Phalen, Tony Edwards,John Walter Davis |
| Directed
by: John Carpenter |
| Written
by: Bruce A. Evans, Raynold Gideon, Dean Riesner |
| Music:
Jack Nitzsche |
| Movie
Co.: Columbia |
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Starman
by Jorge Solis, Resident John Carpenter Expert
HUGE
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John Carpenter's Starman
is about an alien from another planet who crash-lands on Earth.
The alien has three days to reach Arizona to catch up with his
mother ship. If he doesn't make it back home, he will die. Not
only is the clock ticking but he also has to deal with the
military chasing after him.
This could have
been easily been another chase film but there is something else
at the core of the story. Starman
is also a love story. Karen Allen plays Jenny Hayden,
a suffering widow. The love story takes a twisted turn as the
alien takes on the form of her dead husband, Scott. Jeff Bridges
takes on two different roles. As Scott, Jeff Bridges is a
jokester, a guitarist, and a singer. |
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You only see Jeff
Bridges as Scott through the home movie Karen Allen is watching
in the beginning. As the alien, Jeff Bridges is awkward,
confused, and his voice sounds hoarse. Notice how differently he
acts with each character and you will definitely be impressed. |
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Bruce A. Evans and
Raynold Gideon have written an astounding screenplay filled with
symbolism and metaphors. Jeff Bridges portrays the alien as
naive, gentle, and innocent. The alien learns about human nature
as he takes many stops from Wisconsin to Arizona. His first
interaction with humans is comical but then the story becomes
darker with more human interactions. With each stop, he learns
how violent, greedy, and corrupt humans are. He also sees the
best of human nature near the end as he learns about compassion
and kindness. Charles Martin Smith plays Mr. Sherman, a man who
chases after UFOs. He is the last human the alien interacts with
and in my opinion, he represents hope. |

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There are other
things in this movie that make it unique. The Starman
transformation was done by Stan Winston and Rick Baker. The
transformation begins with a glowing baby, then a teenage boy
with a distorted face, and finally, a full-grown man. The love
theme is at its peak when Starman carries Jenny in his arms and
walks away from an explosion. The music was done by Jack Nitzche.
I have my own theory with the music. I think John Carpenter
helped with the music but didn't want to take credit for it. In
my opinion, he would rather be the guy known for the music of
Halloween than the guy who made the music for Starman. |
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John Carpenter is
the director of violent movies filled with bloody gore such as Vampires
and The Thing. I say that only a horror movie director
could have done the sentimental and romantic movie, Starman.
The camera work is brilliant especially when the camera takes on
the point of view of the blue orb, the man running at Jeff
Bridges, and the helicopter. I may be spoiling the ending for
many but it is necessary to discuss his impressive direction.
The camera is kept in one place as Jeff Bridges walks away in
the snow surrounded by red light and the movie ends with a close-up
of Karen Allen's face. I believe that Starman is John
Carpenter's best work as a filmmaker. |
Starman
DVD

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Cast & Credits: IMdb |
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