Prisoners of the Lost Universe

Prisoners of the Lost Universe (1983)

Carrie is a reporter for a TV show that features odd and fantastic stories. She is sent to interview a Dr. Hartmann about an invention that he has created. Along the way she runs a repairman (you can tell because of his tool belt) off the road. The repairman, Dan, and Carrie immediately are at each other’s throats, which of course means they will hook up later. Carrie continues on to the Hartmann’s house and is show his invention. It seems he has invented a way to open portals to other dimensions using his fantastic machine. While demonstrating his gadget an earthquake hits them and he falls into the portal and disappears. Dan then shows up and sure enough they both end up falling thru the portal as well. Dan and Carrie find each other quickly, but Dr. Hartmann is nowhere to be seen. As they look for a way home Carrie is kidnapped by the local warlord, Kleel, who has taken a fancy to her. Making allies among the strange inhabitants of the world Dan heads off to save Carrie, only to find that Dr. Hermann has been making weapons for Kleel. This is how the warlord has been keeping hold of his power. Dan feels obligated to not only save Carrie, but to stop Kleel and help his new friends get out from under his rule.

This is one of those movies that ends up being way better than it should be. The story sticks to the fantasy formula with strange creatures, a really nasty warlord, and a hero who collects a group of misfits to help him defeat the bad guy. Oh wait I almost forgot the damsel in distress. But a funny thing happens with this movie, it works. Never boring the story and those involved never take themselves too seriously. I mean how seriously can you take a movie when the blue jeans are visible underneath the mutant’s costumes? This is the sort of campy good time that Prisoners of the Lost Universe is. That is unless you are one of those people who are going to insist upon taking the movie seriously. The cast is pretty damn good and is made up of a couple TV stars and a “B” movie legend. Richard Hatch (Battlestar Galatica, The Streets of San Francisco) does a fine job as the put upon Dan. I’ve never really seen him as an action star, but for material like this his sarcastic delivery is perfect. Kay Lenz, who seems to have guest starred on almost every great 80s show, looks does a good job as Carrie. But where this movie really scores is by casting the legend John Saxon as the warlord Kleel. His performance is over the top and campy, which is exactly what the movie calls for. I’m a big fan of Saxon and think that he makes whatever project he is working on better, including this one.

The effects in Prisoners are cheaply done and silly looking. I loved it. You have “monsters” that are clearly nothing more than men is rubber suits and costumes. As I mentioned some of them have their blue jeans clearly visible! There is also a teleporting effect that is so cheesy it has to be seen. Oh and the bug men with the LED goggles are great as well. Now as silly and inept as the effects are the camera work is proficient and professional. While not innovative those behind the scenes had the skill to make a good-looking film.

Prisoners of the Lost Universe feels like a movie made by people who knew they had the budget to make a silly sci-fi movie and went for it. The film never takes itself too seriously, keeps the action moving, and has fun. I had fun with it and I think that with an audience in the right mood so will everyone else.

3 out of 4

reviewed by John Shatzer