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Megaforce

Play trailer Poster for Megaforce PG 1981 1h 39m Sci-Fi Play Trailer Watchlist
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6% Tomatometer 16 Reviews 44% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
A high-tech soldier (Barry Bostwick) with a flying motorcycle leads troops to the rescue of a ruler (Persis Khambatta) and her people.

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Megaforce

Critics Reviews

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Bruce McCabe Boston Globe 04/27/2018
Hal Needham's Megaforce is warmed-over action adventure with all the steam taken out of it. Go to Full Review
Janet Maslin New York Times 06/17/2013
There is too much opportunity to notice the weak spots in Mr. Needham's direction. In the case of Megaforce, these include silly dialogue, poor matching shots, oafish staging, and one scene filmed between two silhouettes against a magenta background. Go to Full Review
Kevin Carr Fat Guys at the Movies 03/23/2024
2.5/4
Cocaine, Spandex, and 80s jingoism collide in this insane look at homeland security. Go to Full Review
Peter Stack San Francisco Examiner 11/11/2021
1/4
Hal Needham of Smokey and the Bandit fame directed this lame, contrived action feature. Go to Full Review
Daniel Barnes Dare Daniel 04/28/2020
2.5/5
A 65-minute movie that is 99 minutes long, Megaforce feels like the unaired pilot for an unwatchable TV show. The opening credits tout the use of Introvision and Zoptic, both presumably street words for cocaine. Go to Full Review
People Staff People Magazine 07/16/2014
An elite fighting crew, Megaforce has a motto: "Deeds Not Words." No wonder; if your dialogue was as ludicrous as theirs is, you wouldn't want to stand around and talk either. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Michael A. @PhantomReviewer87 Dec 4 Now this is a film I will defend with every ounce of my soul. It is a movie that hits all my favorite kinds of genres. Whether it's camp, silly over the top comedy, or 80s action, it hits the mark every time. To me, Megaforce is basically the prototype GiJoe film. Or a more campier American Tokusatu film (Japanese word for special effects films like Godzilla, Ultraman, Power Rangers, Camera, ect.) Only with a more self-aware humor. It stars Barry Bostwick (Brad from The Rocky Horror Picture Show) as the hero, Ace Hunter who is asked to lead his elite fighting team, the Megaforce against a militant tyrant named Duke Herrara (played by Henry Silva) who has been destroying and demolishing nearby countries for his own benefit. It kinda reminds me of an action version of This is Spinal Tap. A film about a fictional band done as a joke, that was so awesome they eventually transcended into being a real band afterwards. Thats what I think of with Megaforce. A film done with a tongue in cheek awareness that eventually transformed itself into an awesome array of Reagan-era hoorah. It apparently did it so well that it inspired the makers of South Park, Trey Parker and Matt Stone to make Team America World Police. Who knew? Oh and also never forget this... "The Good Guys Always Win...Even in the 80s." See more Beau B Nov 28 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ — Megaforce: The Greatest Cinematic Achievement in Human History There are great movies, there are legendary movies, and then there is Megaforce—a film that does not merely entertain, but ascends boldly into the realm of myth. To call Megaforce the "best movie ever" is almost an understatement; it is nothing less than the peak of human artistic expression, a shimmering monument to courage, spandex, patriotism, neon lighting, and the power of motorcycles that can fly simply because they believe they can. From the opening seconds, Megaforce announces itself as a masterpiece of audacity. The music swells with triumphant synth so powerful it could refuel fighter jets. The camera pans across a desert landscape not as a setting but as a canvas awaiting the glorious brushstrokes of Barry Bostwick’s golden headband. And then—like a deity descending from the clouds—Ace Hunter appears. Hair feathered like a phoenix on prom night, jumpsuit tighter than the plot of any other 1980s action movie, he immediately radiates the kind of confidence you only get from knowing you’re the star of the greatest film ever created. And let’s talk about the wardrobe: in the world of Megaforce, fashion is not just a choice—it’s a weapon. The beige tactical bodysuit, the shimmering silver scarves, the futuristic vehicles that look like GI Joe toys someone wished into existence—they all combine into a flawless aesthetic harmony. Every character’s look is perfectly curated, as if the designers asked, "How can we make combat uniforms more fabulous?" And then simply answered: "Yes." The plot—if one dares to reduce this cinematic odyssey to such a mundane word—is a symphony of geopolitical intrigue and pure, unfiltered valor. A small nation needs help. A villain named Duke Guerera is causing trouble. Only one international peacekeeping organization, led by elite heroes with matching jumpsuits, can save the day. Hollywood has spent decades trying to replicate this formula, but no one has ever done it better. Because how could they? Megaforce perfected it. The action sequences deserve their own wing in the Louvre. Tanks blast across the desert like they’re auditioning for a ballet. Motorcycles leap over explosions in perfect arcs that would make a physicist weep with joy. Cars slide, spin, soar, and occasionally do maneuvers so stylish that NASA could study them just to learn what confidence looks like. And then there’s the crown jewel: the legendary flying motorcycle finale. As Ace Hunter launches upward on his chrome pegasus, illuminated by the sparkling glow of practical effects so pure they could cure cynicism, cinema itself transcends into a higher dimension. The moment is so breathtaking, scholars may one day debate whether Megaforce invented flight. When he salutes midair, it’s not just a salute—it’s a promise to future generations that movies can always be more. The dialogue? Shakespeare wishes. Every line is delivered with the perfect blend of sincerity, charisma, and unintentional-but-totally-intentional cosmic brilliance. "Deeds, not words" is not just a motto—it’s a lifestyle philosophy potent enough to replace entire self-help industries. And when Ace Hunter tells us, "I just want you to know that I really enjoyed the time we spent together… even though you’re a vegetarian," entire thesis papers could be written on the romantic and nutritional subtext. The chemistry among characters is palpable. The camaraderie feels so genuine that one might assume these actors lived together in a tactical-bodysuit commune for decades. The villain, Guerera, is so charming you almost root for him, but not quite—because nothing can overshadow the shining, unstoppable beacon of heroism that is the Megaforce team. Every frame is a love letter to optimism. Every explosion is an exclamation point on joy. Every slow-motion shot of Barry Bostwick turning dramatically toward the camera is a gentle reminder that the universe is fundamentally good. In the end, Megaforce isn’t just a movie. It’s an experience. A philosophy. A lifestyle. A spiritual journey wrapped in Lycra. It is the cinematic equivalent of a bald eagle riding a laser-guided missile into a sunset made of pure freedom. To watch Megaforce is to believe again in the impossible. To finish Megaforce is to understand the true meaning of cinema. Final verdict: ✨ Megaforce is the greatest movie ever made. Not "one of the best." Not "a cult classic." It is the absolute zenith of human achievement. Movies before it simply existed. Movies after it have only tried to catch up. ✨ See more Mr. N Apr 19 A early childhood favourite and for good reason. Powerful imagery, amazing synth soundtrack and stylish action. What every 80s boy liked. As an adult one can see that this is a very politically correct film touching on 'rainbow politics', gender equality, no firearms or death and global politics. For example the rainbow coloured targets and smoke screen could just be great visuals but the uniforms, the macho dialogue and the lustful expressions in the real time dune buggy attack? Deliberate I think. Persis Khambatta joining a tier one delta, sorry mega unit? Deliberate gender politics I think. As for Henri Silva's line 'You've never understood that they are-- they are just numbers! Numbers! You're an idealist. In the '70s we could be idealists. But today, it's too expensive.' Very astute and well delivered global political statement. Scoring across a self invented tick box of what makes a great film, this ticks highly... yet it's not for everyone. Perhaps it was too close to being spoof-like to be taken either seriously or light heartedly, Hal Needham's comedy 'bandit' background not quite lending itself to this genre. As a fan we love it and want others to love it too, it is a unique one off, like a mutt of a dog loved only by those who know better. See more 11/08/2021 So bad its great..... See more 06/22/2021 I love this movie not just for the 80s love but also for the fun storytelling. It's straightforward and unapologetic in its the good guys always win story. I feel that if the blue screen bits had been removed or cut down (about 5 min of the movie) it would have faired better. the practical effects and stunt work are perfect. See more 06/03/2020 With a bearded Barry Bostwick miscast as an action hero and Michael Beck trading his XANADU roller-skates for dirt bikes with rocket launchers, Hal certainly does not need (any more) ham, though he could use something resembling a plot. See more Read all reviews
Megaforce

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Movie Info

Synopsis A high-tech soldier (Barry Bostwick) with a flying motorcycle leads troops to the rescue of a ruler (Persis Khambatta) and her people.
Director
Hal Needham
Producer
Albert S. Ruddy
Screenwriter
James Whittaker, Albert S. Ruddy, Hal Needham, Andre Morgan
Production Co
Northshore Investments Ltd., Golden Harvest Company
Rating
PG
Genre
Sci-Fi
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 20, 2016
Runtime
1h 39m
Sound Mix
Surround
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