Flash Gordon

When I was a kid, there was no movie I watched more than Flash Gordon. Not even close. I watched it in fast forward. I even watched it in reverse a few times times as my VCR player allowed reverse play. To this day I’ve probably still seen it more than any other movie in my life.

The scene that burned itself into my brain is the one on Arboria, where Flash and Prince Barin have their showdown over the wood beast. Like a duel, but instead of walking ten paces and turning to shoot, you take turns sticking your arm into these holes in a stump, and inside one of them is a creature that stings you. Get stung, and the only way to survive is losing the arm. I watched that scene so many times that for the rest of my life, any time I had to stick my hand somewhere I couldn’t see, it came right back to me. You could call it a literal Flash back.

I rewatched it with my kids a couple years ago. Very classic eighties. Plenty of dumb sexism, plenty of dumb Americanisms — the whole football bit where Flash starts chucking Ming’s guards around the throne room like it’s the fourth quarter. Completely stupid… but par for the course for the time period. Still enjoyable if you dont think about it too much. Lol

The soundtrack, though, that was awesome. Pretty amazing they got Queen to do it. And I love the Hawkmen, those dumb winged guys Flash teams up with, led by Brian Blessed yelling DIVE. And the ending, when Flash flies War Rocket Ajax straight into Ming the Merciless and spikes him on the nose of the ship. If memory serves…i believe he bleeds green.

Not a groundbreaking movie by any means, i dont think you could even call it good.. but a fun romp. Some movies just catch you at the right age. This one caught me. I recommend everybody watch it if they are looking for an 80’s nostalgia kick. This is a review for @wiseagents contest. Here is the contest link if you would like to participate. https://peakd.com/hive-110713/@wiseagent/contest-scrobble-life-movies-with-memories-dxk

Rating: 85/100