Talk about a great trashy premise for a cool satire: Iron Sky features a bunch of Nazis who escaped from Germany in 1945 and somehow made their way to the dark side of the moon, where they have ever since been preparing for an invasion of Earth. After an American astronaut stumbles on their swastika-shaped compound in 2018, the Nazis launch their assault, leading to Independence Day-style resistance that also reveals the manipulative character of the planet's political leadership. While the special effects in Timo Vuorensola's film are both pretty decent (aside from some toppling walls obviously made of styrofoam) and sometimes cheekily amusing (like Nazi space cruisers modeled on dirigibles), the humor here is flatfooted. Having the U.S. president be a Sarah Palin lookalike would still be a stale idea even if she had zippier lines and were better played by Stephanie Paul. But the Nazis deliver no stellar thespian examples either: Udo Kier is a perfect choice for the Moon Führer (as he's called), but is given almost nothing to do but scowl, while as his ambitious heir-apparent, Götz Otto chews the scenery mercilessly, but to little comic effect. Failing in its bid for camp classic status, this is optional, at best. (F. Swietek)[Blu-ray/DVD Combo Review—Mar. 25, 2014—Entertainment One, 110 min., not rated, Blu-ray/DVD Combo: $29.98—Making its second appearance on DVD and Blu-ray, 2012's Iron Sky (Director's Cut) sports a great transfer and a DTS-HD soundtrack on the Blu-ray. Extras include a “making-of” documentary (79 min.), a photo montage (2 min.), trailers, a bonus DVD copy of the film, and a 32-page concept art booklet. Bottom line: the director's cut improves the pacing somewhat, but this is still an uneven satire.]
Iron Sky
eOne, 93 min., in English & German w/English subtitles, R, DVD: $19.98, Blu-ray: $24.98 Volume 28, Issue 1
Iron Sky
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