The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension

3 Star. You are in the 1980’s the 19-80’s!

From first time director W.D. Ricchter (Big Trouble in Little China (adaptation)) and the writer Earl Mac Rauch (Wired) comes something slightly strange in what its message is. Although it’s billed as a comedy, it’s like you are not in the loop, nothing is explained and the jokes have no punchlines. To get into the loop you have to do research (see the plethora of Special Features at the bottom of page). It definitely is Sci-Fi and Adventure. 

Buckaroo Banzai is a master of all trades Neurosurgeon, Physicist, Test Pilot and Rock Star. His next project is to test his jet powered Ford F-350 pickup truck, a truck capable of breaking the sound barrier. He also has an ace up his sleeve, his “oscillation overthruster”, a small device that he fits into a gimbal in his cockpit. All fired up, he accelerates and keeps accelerating till he breaks the sound barrier, his car veers off still going at high speed heading for a mountain, but before he hit the rock-face the  “oscillation overthruster” kicks in and fires a blue light in front of the vehicle. The car disappears into the very fabric of the mountain, (start trippy 80’s computer graphics). What Buckaroo sees as he passes through solid mater is a creature within the fabric of the rock. He passes through the mountain unscathed unlike the creature he saw. Buckaroo has passed through the 8th Dimension, and it is big news across the galaxy. Dr. Emilio Lizardo (John Lithgow, Interstellar) in his room in the asylum after attempting to do a similar experiment back in 1938, must get his hands on Buckaroo’s “oscillation overthruster” at any cost and so must those aliens floating above the earth’s atmosphere. This is the 80’s in  a Blu-ray case, a wacky time to be had. 

 

With a love interest in the guise of Penny (Ellen Barkin, Brooklyn’s Finest) and many famous and familiar faces such as Jeff Goldblum (Nashville), Christopher LLoyd (Sin City 2: A dame to Kill For, The Witches of Oz), Robert Ito (Quincy, M.E.) and Clancy Brown (Sparks, John Dies at the End).

Have a great time in the early 80’s.

Special Features

· High Definition Digital transfer of the film from original elements by MGM
· 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio and 2.0 Stereo
· Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
· Audio commentary with writer-director W.D. Richter and Reno (writer Earl Mac Rauch)
· The Tao of Buckaroo: Abrand new interview with Peter Weller on his role as Buckaroo
· Lord John: A brand new interview with John Lithgow who discusses working on the film
· Buckaroo Banzai Declassified – An original featurette on the making of the film featuring W.D. Richter, stars Peter Weller, Ellen Barkin, John Lithgow and more!
· Lincoln Center Q&A featuring Peter Weller and John Lithgow moderated by filmmaker and Buckaroo fan Kevin Smith, filmed as part of the 2011 New York Film Festival
· Adventures in the 8th Dimension: A visual essay by critic and author Matt Zoller Seitz
· Alternate opening featuring Jamie Lee Curtis
· Closing sequence presented without credits
· Deleted scenes, featuring fourteen scenes from the workprint
· New Jet Car Trailer and Teaser Trailer
· Easter Egg
· Gallery
· Banzai Radio
· Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Matthew Griffin
· Booklet featuring new writing on the film by critic James Oliver, illustrated with original stills 

Available to Order Online.