Spaceballs

A minor cult classic, Mel Brooks' 1987 Spaceballs has been reissued in this "collector's edition" to coincide with the theatrical release of Star Wars, Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. A spoof of the original Star Wars, the film features space hero Lone Starr (Bill Pullman) and his sidekick Barf (John Candy), who must rescue an errant princess (Daphne Zuniga), while Dark Helmet (Rick Moranis) and the President of the galaxy (Mel Brooks) scheme to steal the air from the princess' home planet. Of course, the plot only serves as a vehicle for Brooks to wedge in a disproportionate number of jokes, some of them with lengthy and obvious setups (the raspberry jam gag, for example). In fact, you can almost hear the delight in Brooks' voice as he barks the order--three times--to "comb the desert!" Although it doesn't really stack up well next to the comic director's earlier, more deliriously wacky films--The Producers, Young Frankenstein, and Blazing Saddles--Spaceballs has its delicious moments and boasts legions of fans. Presented with an excellent widescreen anamorphic transfer, DVD extras on this double-disc set include audio commentary by Brooks, the option to watch the film at "ludicrous speed," a "making-of" featurette, a conversation with Brooks and his co-writer Thomas Meehan, a tribute to the late John Candy, a trivia game, and Easter eggs. Recommended. (J.M. Anderson)[Blu-ray Review—July 21, 2009—MGM, 2 discs, 96 min., PG, $29.99—Making its first appearance on Blu-ray, 1987's Spaceballs features a great transfer and a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack. Combining both the Blu-ray and DVD versions of the film, Blu-ray extras include audio commentary by director/costar Mel Brooks, a half-hour “making-of” featurette, “In Conversation: Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan” with Brooks and writer Meehan (21 min.), the 10-minute tribute featurette “John Candy: Comic Spirit,” a seven-minute storyboard-to-film comparison, “Film Flubs” clips of mistakes made in the film (2 min.), brief spoof “Mawgese” and “Dinkese” audio track options, an option to watch the film at “Ludicrous Speed,” three still galleries (“Behind the Movie,” costumes, and art), and trailers. Extras on the DVD version include the audio commentary by Brooks, a vintage nine-minute behind-the-scenes featurette, and trailers. Bottom line: the farce is now happily with us on Blu-ray.][Blu-ray Review—Aug. 14, 2012—MGM, 96 min., PG, $19.99—Making its second appearance on Blu-ray, 1987's Spaceballs (The 25th Anniversary Edition) sports a great transfer with DTS-HD 5.1 sound. Blu-ray extras on this release include an option to watch the film at “Ludicrous Speed,” audio commentary by director Mel Brooks, brief spoof “Mawgese” and “Dinkese” audio track options, a production documentary (30 min.), a conversation with Brooks and co-writer Thomas Meehan (21 min.), a “Force Yourself! Spaceballs and the Skroobing of Sci-Fi” retrospective featurette (17 min.), a “John Candy: Comic Spirit” tribute (10 min.), a storyboard-to-film comparison (7 min.), galleries (production, costume, and art), brief “Film Flubs,” and trailers. Bottom line: easily recommended—if you don't already own the initial Blu-ray release.]