Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai

The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension is a campy sci-fi flick taken right out of the comic books.

Buckaroo Banzai is a brain surgeon, a samurai and a rock star. He and his fellow scientists/bandmates (the Hong Kong Cavaliers) have developed a device that lets Buckaroo travel through solid matter. The device is known as an "Oscillation Overthruster".

With this overthruster, Buckaroo travels through a mountain into the 8th dimension.It is here where Buckaroo discovers that we are not alone!

While inside, Buckaroo gets a peek at some wild looking beings! The Red Lectroids, an evil group of aliens from Planet 10 who will stop at nothing to get the Overthruster. While Buckaroo, The Honk Kong Cavaliers and Penny Pretty (a look-a-like for Buckaroo's dead wife played by Ellen Barkin) attempt to stop them, a group of 8th dimensional beings join the fight againts the Red Lectroids.

The 8th dimentional creatures are a bit funny with their dread locks and Jamaican accents. They help Buckaroo and his gang to keep the evil aliens imprisoned in the 8th dimension.

Buckaroo and Penny provide the love story, as Penny, a tough talking girl of the 80s, eventually falls for Buckaroo's charm.

Meanwhile Dr. Lizardo (John Lithgow) wants the Overthruster so that he can bring his evil alien army to earth.

The plot is a bit outlandish at times, while the script seems to have been taken directly out of the comic book itself. At times it can also be confusing as to what is exactly taking place, but at the same time still entertaining.

In the end, the whacky plot comes together nicely, as we believe that Buckaroo is an honorable crimefighter and brilliant scientist. His bandmates and girlfriend are also played well by the likes of Ellen Barkin and Jeff Goldblum. John Lithgow of course steals most of his scenes with his mad scientist performance as the evil Dr. Lizardo!

This film is true 80s sci-fi camp at it's best!