The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension! (1984)
- Starring:
- Peter Weller, John Lithgow, (more)
- Director(s):
- W.D. Richter
- Theatrical MPAA Rating:
- PG
- Format(s):
- DVD
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Synopsis of The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension!
Despite mixed reviews and a disastrous initial release that dumped the film into theaters for a week in the midst of the 1984 Summer Olympics, The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the Eight Dimension went on to become one of the major cult films of the 1980s, developing a rabid following after its release on videotape. Drifting between satire and improbable sci-fi adventure, the film stars Peter Weller as Buckaroo Banzai, the son of an American mother and Japanese father who is a combination physicist, neurosurgeon, martial arts master, secret agent, and rock star who travels with his band of assistants/backing musicians, The Hong Kong Cavaliers. As the story opens, Buckaroo is driving his car through a mountain to test his new invention, the Oscillation Overthruster. However, a race of boorish aliens called the Red Lectroids have been waiting for such an item to become a reality, as they need it to return to the distant planet they call home. One of Buckaroo's arch-enemies, Dr. Emilio Lizardo (John Lithgow), who has been possessed by the Red Lectroids, attempted to created a similar device decades before; now escaped from an insane asylum, he is back at work with the Lectroids on a plan to control the world. Throw in Rastafarian aliens, unscheduled travel between dimensions, and the odd inexplicable watermelon, and you get a film that defies conventional synopsis. With its fast pace, quotable dialogue ("No matter where you go, there you are"), and barrage of gags (subtle and otherwise), you won't be bored even when you're not sure what's going on. The supporting cast includes Jeff Goldblum as New Jersey, a Cavalier with a snappy cowboy outfit, and Ellen Barkin as Penny Priddy, the twin sister of Buckaroo's late wife. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Theatrical Feature Running Time:
- 102 mins
Complete Cast of The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension!
- Peter Weller - Buckaroo Banzai
- Ellen Barkin - Penny Priddy
- Christopher Lloyd - John Bigboote
- Rosalind Cash - John Emdall
- Pepe Serna - Reno Nevada
- Matt Clark - Secretary of Defense
- John Ashton - Highway Patrolman
- Michael Santoro - Billy Travers
- Jane Marla Robbins - 2nd Reporter
- John Lithgow - Lord John Whorfin
- Damon Hines - Scooter Lindley
- Dan Hedaya - John Gomez
- Francine Lembi - TV Anchorwoman
- Kent Perkins - Mission Control
- Gary Bisig - Second Radar Blaze
- Vincent Schiavelli - John O'Connor
- Yakov Smirnoff - National Security Advisor
- Jonathan Banks - Lizardo Hospital Guard
- Jesse Lawrence Ferguson - Black Lectroid
- Mariclare Costello - Sen. Cunningham
- John Lithgow - Dr. Emilio Lizardo
- Jeff Goldblum - New Jersey
- Lewis Smith - Perfect Tommy
- Robert Ito - Prof.Hikita
- Ronald Lacey - President Widmark
- Clancy Brown - Rawhide
- Laura Harrington - Mrs. Johnson
- James Saito - Dr. Masado Banzai
- Ken Magee - Duck Hunter Burt
- James Keane - Duck Hunter Bubba
- Bill Henderson - Casper Lindley
- Carl Lumbly - John Parker
- Kevin Rodney Sullivan - John Gant
- Reed Morgan - Exhibitor
- Billy Vera - Pinky Carruthers
- William Traylor - Gen. Catburd
- Robert Gray - First Radar Blaze
- John Walter Davis - Star Surgeon
- Leonard Gaines - Artie Duncan
- Raye Birk - 1st Reporter
- Director(s):
- W.D. Richter
- Writer(s):
- Earl Mac Rauch
- Producer(s):
- Neil Canton, W.D. Richter
- Theatrical MPAA Rating:
- PG(Mild Violence, Adult Situations, Adult Language, Questionable for Children)
- Categories:
- Sci-Fi & Fantasy
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