It’s always interesting to go back and watch movies made by
actors who have moved on to better times. The small role in a long forgotten
flick or the starring role in a movie that few ever discovered, each one gives
us a glimpse at a star in the making. With the success of THE BLACKLIST there
are a number of James Spader movies being rediscovered. How nice it is to see a
movie that had so many problems but that turned out to be pretty good come out
finally on blu-ray thanks to Shout Factory.
SUPERNOVA arrived in theaters amid a number of science
fiction outer space films that were recent blockbusters. Ever since ALIEN
captured audience’s imaginations years before the outer space genre had seen a
re-emergence as a viable cash generating movie experience. Some were good, some
bad, some high end budget and other low end. This particular film started low,
got bigger, had problems getting made and ended up tossed out with little to no
fanfare. It’s only through fandom and the home market that it got any
attention.
Up front know that the movie was originally begun by
writer/director Walter Hill, famous for his films like 48 HOURS, THE WARRIORS
and STREETS OF FIRE, but he left after a number of issues with the studio
responsible for this film. Having shot most of the film it was left in the
hands of Jack Sholder, another solid director who took the footage shot and
turned it into a final releasable film. Of course this was after Francis Ford
Coppola put his hands on it for a short time as well. With so many people
trying to make the film their own it ended up suffering more than being helped.
As is the case when studio suits attempt to put their two cents in while
silencing the creators behind any movie, something definitely gets lost in
translation. Much of this can be discovered in the very nice behind the scenes
extra Shout Factory has included on this release.
But back to the movie. The spaceship Nightingale, a medical
emergency ship, receives a mysterious signal from deep space requesting help.
The distance to reach the location of the signal requires a jump through space
where the crew must be enclosed or risk their bodies being manipulated into
something frightening. Which is what happens to the 6 man team’s captain played
by Robert Forster in what amounts to more of a cameo than a complete role.
Now in charge new pilot Nick Vanzant (Spader) assumes
control of the ship and trying to gauge the amount of damage done. Needing 17
hours to recharge the cells necessary for a return trip and only 17 yours and
11 minutes worth of fuel left after a meteor damages a fuel tank, they’ll be
cutting it close. The ship requesting their presence flies toward them without
radio contact and makes a rough landing. On board is Larson (Peter Facinelli),
the son of the miner from the nearby moon that was mined in the past who sent
the distress call. That man was also an ex-lover of the ship’s doctor Kaela
Evers (Angela Bassett).
Along with him Larson has brought an object found in the
deep recesses of the moon, something he feels could gain each of them an
incredible amount of money. But as this object slowly exposes itself to various
members of the crew it becomes obvious that it may not be worth the risk needed
to take it back home. Spader plans on disposing of it before leaving for home
and then sets out to see if there is any fuel left on the moon they can use to
survive.
But the effects of the object first on Larson who has been
exposed to it the longest and then on crew member Penalosa (Lou Diamond
Phillips) makes things take a turn for the worse. As more and more is revealed
the crew of this ship might find themselves surviving less than the needed 17
hours it takes to recharge. With Spader in jeopardy on the moon’s surface (as
well as below) and the members of the crew onboard threatened by a very deadly
Larson, just exactly what is going on is slowly revealed.
The movie looks fantastic considering all things involved.
Not only are low costs sets utilized to their fullest capabilities the cinematography
is well done with a floating effect used to convey the sense of outer space
from shot to shot. The special effects are well done and not overused making
them a part of the story without making them THE story here.
The acting seen on screen is above that regularly associated
with science fiction films of the time. I’ve seen great actors turn in bad
performances in top notch films but here they all make their parts believable
and real, something not easy to achieve given the subject matter. My guess is
this a combination of great acting, great directing and great editing combined
to make what sounded like a mess to begin with into a decent movie.
You might not remember this movie or ever having seen it,
even on one of those unheralded showing on HBO or Showtime one night. But if
you like science fiction or any of the actors in the film then you’ll want to
give it a watch. Even those who don’t like sci-fi might find something to enjoy
here. For myself I can see pulling this one down from the shelf every so often
to give it another watch.
Click here to order.
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