I am unashamed but not proud to say The Ice Pirates is one of my favorite movies. The camp, funny, action-packed, full-throttle 1980s flavor shoulder-pad sci-fi has it all because no one edited any of their ideas.
Earlier this year, I learned that The Ice Pirates was intended to be a severe sci-fi epic, as was then the trend, based on the story of ancient Greek hero Jason and his Argonauts. However, they ran into funding problems—we're talking about a cut from $20 million to $8 million in 1980s money—and decided to cut their losses and make a comedy.
In retrospect, I could have figured that out myself.
This movie is full of, well, everything. Larger-than-life characters, action, time travel, a kidnapped princess and her vanished father, androids, aliens, pirates, and disembodied heads; it skips across themes other films would linger on, but there's no time for that in The Ice Pirates. Point out it's happening, make passing joking commentary, and move on.
Is it a good film? Maybe not, and some jokes may cause wincing, but a film packed with before-they-were-famous Anjelica Huston and Ron Perlman, after-they-were-famous John Carradine and John Matuzsack, and the one-of-a-kind Bruce Vilanch—well, that's worth watching at least once.
Then watch it again in a few days because I guarantee you'll already have forgotten a scene that you could swear was unforgettable.
Then, get all your friends to watch it with you. It's a great group movie for sci-fi fans. In fact, I recommend watching it in a pack over watching it solo. Groan, laugh, cringe, and exclaim together as a bonding activity. You will never guess what's coming next.
Review by Cathlin
The Ice Pirates
10,000 years in the future the entire water supply is controlled by the evil Templar Empire. They ship frozen blocks of the precious fluid across the far reaches of space. Only the Ice Pirates, the bravest bunch of buccaneers ever to steer a starship, can hijack the frozen treasure.