During the ’80s, Mel Brooks directed “History of the World Part I.” Produced (his name uncredited) serious movies outside his comfort zone including “The Elephant Man” & “The Fly.” One parody film in particular pokes fun at “Star Wars.” Before “Spaceballs” was green-lit, Mel made a deal with George Lucas not a single piece of merchandise should be sold.
Released in 1987, (same year RoboCop came out) it received mixed review from critics and was a modest hit at the box office. Overtime, Spaceballs garnered a cult following as one of the best parody films of all time.
Recently, Mel Brooks announced he’s working on “Spaceballs 2” with Josh Gad writing the script. Bill Pullman & Rick Moranis will reprise their roles. This’ll be the latter’s first movie in 20 years since he retired to raise his kids. Keke Palmer & Bill’s son, Lewis signed on. One more thing, Liam Neeson will star in a follow-up to “The Naked Gun” playing the son of Leslie Nielsen’s character. It’ll be released on August 1, 2025.
Before Spaceballs 2 comes out in 2027, I wanna share my thoughts on my favorite Star Wars parody. It’s a darn shame John Candy & Joan Rivers are no longer around. It’s not gonna be the same without ’em. May they Rest in Peace.
Strong & Weak Qualities
Strong: Bill Pullman, John Candy, Rick Moranis, Joan Rivers, Daphne Zuniga & George Wyner all did a solid job for their respective performances.
Mel Brooks did a terrific job directing. He also wrote the script and played President Skroob & Yogurt.
Humor has multiple funny as heck moments such as visual gags, fourth wall breaks, puns, wordplay and memorable dialogue listed.
- Everybody got that?
- Pizza the Hutt!
- Why did somebody tell me my ass was big!?
- He’s an asshole, sir.
- Asshole, Major Asshole.
- How many assholes have got on this ship anyhow?
- I knew it, I’m surrounded by assholes!
- Keep firing assholes!
- We’re not just doing this for money, we’re doing it for a shitload of money!
- Radar about to be jammed!
- I’ve lost the bleeps, I’ve lost the sweeps and I lost the creeps.
- There’s only man who would dare me to give me the raspberry, Lone Star!
- Funny, she doesn’t look Druish.
- What’s the matter Colonel Sanders, chicken?
- Ludicrous speed go!
- My brains are going into my feet!
- They’ve gone to plaid!
- You are ugly when you’re angry.
- Go past this part.
- In fact, never play this again.
- When does this happen in the movie?
- Nice dissolve.
- It looks like the Temple of Doom.
- Merchandising merchandising where the real money from the movie is made.
- May the Schwartz be with you.
- Comb the desert!
- We ain’t found shit!
- Yogurt, I hate Yogurt!
- Fooled you!
- Knock, knock on my door next time!
- I didn’t see you playing with your dolls!
- Who knows, God willing we’ll all meet again in Spaceballs 2: The Search for More Money.
- That’s the stupidest combination I ever heard in my life! (my favorite line)
- That’s the kind of idiot would have on his luggage!
- I’ve got the same combination on my luggage!
- You’ve captured their stunt doubles!
- Hey, that was pretty good for Rambo!
- It’s not just a spaceship, it’s a Transformer!
- Suck, suck suck!
- She’s gone from suck to blow!
- Do something!
- I am your father’s brother’s nephew’s cousin’s former roommate.
- And I see your Schwartz is as big as mine.
- Because good is dumb.
- Too bad this isn’t Wide World of Sports!
- Come back you fat bearded bitch!
- Even in the future nothing works!
- Oh shit, there goes the planet!
Cinematography was shot normally.
Visual Effects at the time are really good. More believable than “Superman IV: The Quest for Peace.”
Opening Scene spoofing the opening crawl from Star Wars, indicates this movie’s gonna make you laugh so hard.
Dom DeLuise (Mel’s late friend/collaborator) has a brief voiceover role as Pizza the Hutt.
John Hurt makes a cameo spoofing his infamous death scene from “Alien.”
Michael Winslow (sound effects guy from Police Academy) makes a cameo as a radar technician making sound effects out loud.
A then unknown Tim Russ (Tuvok from Star Trek: Voyager) appears as one of the soldiers literally combing the desert.
Lone Star’s chemistry with Barf, Princess Vespa & Dot Matrix made me care about them. More than the one-dimensional characters like Rey, Finn & Poe Dameron from Star Wars’ terrible Sequel Trilogy.
The Pointer Sisters’ “Hot Together is played when Skroob’s in bed. Thanks to a trailer for “GTA 6,” the song later gained recognition
Star Wars is obviously the main parody. Other movies are either parodied are referenced.
- Jaws
- Star Trek
- Police Academy
- Lawrence of Arabia
- Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
- The Wizard of Oz
- Rambo
- Transformers
- 2001: A Space Odyssey
- Alien
- Singing Frog from Looney Tunes
- Planet of the Apes
Weak: I couldn’t find nothing wrong. I’m giving Mel and his crew an Extra Point for making a flawless parody as possible.
The Final Verdict: A, FOR APEX!
Spaceballs remains as my all-time favorite Star Wars parody. Family Guy’s “Laugh It Up Fuzzball” is the runner-up. I consider Spaceballs as Mel Brooks’ best work. Which Star Wars parody is your favorite? Please leave a comment.
Nickthemoviecritic.com 