Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		4.0
Audio		3.0
Extras		2.5
Overall		3.5

Star Slammer Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf July 11, 2017

A B-movie director who shows a bit more interest in genre potential than most, Fred Olen Ray returns with 1986’s “Star Slammer,” which is actually titled “The Adventures of Taura: Prison Ship Star Slammer” at the start of the film. This is Ray attempting to fashion a valentine to serial filmmaking of old, positioning his heroine, Taura, as a new force of futureworld justice, putting her through survival challenges half-naked and full of pluck. While the ambition of the production is interesting, the actual execution of “Star Slammer” leaves much to be desired, depicting an intergalactic battle between warriors and villains on maybe three sets, with space opera visuals recycled from other productions. Ray does what he can to preserve his vision, maintaining interest in the multi-chapter format to the end, but the majority of the feature feels unnecessarily claustrophobic and overwritten, trying to assume the position of a sci-fi blockbuster without earning it.

Hiding out in the wild, warrior Taura (Sandy Brooke) is revealed when she endeavors to help an old wizard who’s crossing through the area with special crystals in his possession. Out to claim the prize is Bantor (Ross Hagen), an enforcer for galaxy leader The Sovereign, who doesn’t take kindly to Taura’s insolence, killing the old man in the process. Framed for the murder, Taura is brought onboard a prison ship run by Warden Exene (Marya Grant), handed a stiff sentence surrounded by other female convicts, including Mike (Suzy Stokey), who doesn’t like the new addition to the community. Roughed up by Muffin (Dawn Wildsmith), Warden Exene’s right-hand woman, Taura tries to find her place in the system, quickly learning what it takes to prove her toughness, experiencing the worst punishment the prison ship offers.

As the saying goes, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. However, “Star Slammer” likes to lift with both hands from other movies, even opening with a heroic theme that’s simply parts of “The Raiders March” from the Indiana Jones saga -- a match so specific, it’s amazing the production didn’t get sued into oblivion. Of course, Ray doesn’t have much to work with here, with most of the feature set on the prison ship, requiring a little familiarity to keep the juices flowing. The opening of “Star Slammer” experiences a few outdoor moments, focusing on Taura’s experiences in the wild, which closely resembles a California state park, working to survive with the help of Jawa-like assistants, avoiding nearby vents of acidic gas. The picture isn’t all that clear with the details, but there’s something significant about a set of crystals a Gandalf-like figure possesses, and Bantor will stop at nothing to claim his prize, trying to kill Taura in the process. It’s all mild fight choreography and hammy acting, but the opening act represents the effort’s last taste of sunlight, with the adventure moving into tight sets, challenging Ray to cook up something interesting for Taura to do.

“Star Slammer” transitions into a women-in-prison picture, following Taura into space containment after some sort of a trial (an elderly John Carradine portrays “The Justice” or “The Judge,” billed with two different character names), forced to deal with fellow convicts who enjoy intimidating her, while Muffin relishes every chance she gets to be violent with the inmates. Assorted initiation rituals are encountered, most located in the cafeteria, where the ladies are served slop and view propaganda videos identifying characters Ray doesn’t know what to do with (Aldo Ray portrays the prison’s chief of torture for one scene). While exposition is never as clear as it needs to be, “Star Slammer” does have fun with characters interactions, resembling a juvenile delinquent film from the 1950s as the new arrival is harassed by the law and prisoners, trying to remain in one piece during her stay, or at least keep her clothes on.

Oddity is common in “Star Slammer,” finding Warden Exene a fan of watching children in Lucha libre-style wrestling, Mike a passable harmonica player (Ray lingers on her solitary confinement grooving for an eternity), and Ray weirdly believing a cafeteria brawl between Taura and Mike requires a touch of hot sax on the soundtrack, which doesn’t fit the sci-fi vibe at all. The world of “Star Slammer” is also somewhat baffling, centered on the presence of The Sovereign, this supposedly all-powerful ruler who we see in brief scenes, confessing concern about the “underground” and the crystals. Of course, the movie never leaves the prison ship once the story arrives there, making attempts to widen the scope of the feature through seemingly random dialogue bewildering. Ray only has so much real estate to work with, but more time could be spent on innate profiles and community unrest. Trying to world-build with an empty sandbox proves to be a futile endeavor.

Star Slammer Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Billed as "Newly re-mastered in HD," the AVC encoded image (1.84:1 aspect ratio) presentation for "Star Slammer" largely does the best that it can with limited, extremely soft cinematography. This is no grand picture to begin with, primarily contained to simple sets and close-ups. Detail is satisfactory, finding faint facial particulars and exploring make-up achievements, making it relatively easy to spot creative limitations. Costuming (the titillation factor of the effort is sustained with thin fabrics) and sets maintain some texture. Visual effects are also open for inspection. Fighting a limited budget, Ray does deliver a colorful endeavor, with primaries pronounced through lighting and outfits, and the dull blue prison ship experience is accurately represented. Delineation is comfortable. Grain is heavy but filmic. Source is in decent condition, with some speckling detected.

Star Slammer Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Having a harder time conquering age and origin issues, the 2.0 DTS-HD sound mix isn't a listening experience that's precise. Struggling with muddiness and recording limitations, dialogue exchanges take some effort to understand, with a few words lost along the way. Clarity isn't strong, but emotional extremes are sustained. S-words are a tad crackly. Scoring is a mixed bag, mostly restrained to make room for the performances, with varying intensity. Sound effects fare the best, coming through with chirps and laser blasts, while the dull hum of space travel is present. Hiss is detected, along with periodic pops.

Star Slammer Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features director Fred Olen Ray.

• A Theatrical Trailer has not been included.

Star Slammer Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Star Slammer" has its highlights, delivering a small share of critter attacks, including one feisty monster located inside Taura's cell. Ray also attempts to get the movie's heart rate going with climatic spaceship battles, though spatial relationships and the identification of enemies aren't a priority for the picture. Acting is generally messy, but the majority of the cast understands what's expected of them, finding Brooke comfortable in tiny outfits and Wildsmith bonkers as Muffin, working overtime to project her character's menace. Ray keeps things lively with a gladiatorial showdown and some kinky business (Bantor enjoys a little flagellation to clear his head), but the production's boundaries are always present, keeping the endeavor small and repetitive, making broadness periodically painful to watch when it's clearly being used to distract from a lack of resources. The end of "Star Slammer" promises a sequel, but the continuing adventures of Taura never arrived, strictly contained to this lone offering of imprisonment, revolt, and frequent shirt changes.