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Tank Girl

Play trailer Poster for Tank Girl R 1995 1h 44m Sci-Fi Adventure Action Play Trailer Watchlist
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46% Tomatometer 46 Reviews 62% Popcornmeter 25,000+ Ratings
After a comet disrupts the rain cycle of Earth, the planet has become a desolate, barren desert by the year 2033. With resources scarce, Kesslee (Malcolm McDowell) -- head of the powerful and evil Water & Power Corporation, the de facto government -- has taken control of the water supply. Unwilling to cower under Kesslee's tyrannical rule, a pair of outlaws known as Tank Girl (Lori Petty) and Jet Girl (Naomi Watts) rise up, joining the mysterious rebel Rippers to destroy the corrupt system.
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Tank Girl

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Critics Consensus

While unconventional, Tank Girl isn't particularly clever or engaging, and none of the script's copious one-liners have any real zing.

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Critics Reviews

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Bruce Diones The New Yorker Lori Petty does her tough-talking best to breathe some life into the comic-book action, but it's not enough. May 3, 2013 Full Review Owen Gleiberman Entertainment Weekly An aspiring cult film that would rather be cute than dangerous. Rated: C- Jul 6, 2010 Full Review Leonard Klady Variety The movie version of the graphic comic book is a classic case of kitchen-sink filmmaking, in which the principals have thrown everything into the stew, hoping enough will stick to the audience. Mar 26, 2009 Full Review Marya E. Gates Cool People Have Feelings, Too. (Substack) In bringing to life the comic book of the same name by Alan Martin & Jamie Hewlett, Talalay incorporates bombastic action, cartoon violence, a bold color palette, and even traditional hand drawn animation into a unique world all its own. Feb 13, 2024 Full Review D.M. Palmer Vague Visages Tank Girl posit that when a civilization collapses, many of its customs will be upheld through authoritarian means, shorn of any patina of justice or equity that may have been affirmed through the sanctioning of the democratic event. Nov 8, 2023 Full Review Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews I found it entertaining in a pleasingly odd way. Rated: B Oct 8, 2023 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Ryan P Tank Girl was first screened in 1995 and directed by Rachel Talalay. It happens to be one of the first movies to have a comic book adaptation and also a personal favorite of my father’s movies while he was growing up. You may expect me to be somewhat biased because of my father’s childhood, but I am not with this film. In fact, this is probably one of the films with the worst plots I had ever seen. The film is set in a dystopian future of the Earth in the year of 2033, when the comet that clashed wipes out most of civilization. If that was true, then why does the main antagonist faction of the series, Water and Power, have a futuristic/imperial theme? It’s a slight detail problem that makes it difficult to get immersed with the film when everyone else is dressed along with the theme they were heading for. For most, stickler details can be pushed aside but the plot can’t. It was solid toward the beginning but immediately began to drop off after tank girl was captured. The biggest problem with the film is then identified, which is the fact that neither Tank Girl or the main antagonist, Kessleee, the CEO of Water and Power, have an end game goal. Kesslee just has a weird ego obsession to break Tank Girl and nothing more, that’s literally his whole arc in this film. While for Tank Girl, she escapes and doesn’t plan for revenge or any sort, no she just drifts out for a while until she sees one of the children from the original rebel base she was staying at get captured and now has to save her. But, the only reason why Water and Power captured her was guess what? To break Tank Girl. It’s just so annoying with everyone's obsession at that point, because she’s not that great of a character to begin with. I understand why others would like her character, but I can’t get around to it. Her personality is just a one-trick pony and doesn’t have any more depth than being a traditional female protagonist from the 90s. You can’t get to know the other characters very well because Tank Girl takes up all the screen time. While certain ones get introduced last minute, like the kangaroo people to assist in the climax of this film. Ice-T plays one of them and even his role is butchered by how stubborn his role is from the plot. Other moments that I hate are, female values being constantly degraded as if it were a running gag for the movie. If it was comedic then it would be acceptable to an extent but it’s not in this film, it’s just plain weird. But fans can at least take comfort that she lives up to her name and uses a tank…… toward the second half of the movie. I would not recommend Tank Girl to anyone. Sure the positives of this film like the hand drawn animation scenes are the film’s strongest suite, but it’s not a good enough reason to spend the next 2 hours of your life just to see those scenes. Furthermore, the obsession with pushing female boundaries as depicted by some characters in the film, may make some viewers uncomfortable. I’m a male and even I feel uncomfortable by all this. However, if you’re feeling nostalgic for movies that feel like they’re from the 90s, then maybe this one is for you. Otherwise, stay away from watching the entirety of the film because you deserve better. Rated 1 out of 5 stars 11/16/25 Full Review Frans B I liked the typical 90's vibe. Wacky, whimsical and crazy movie. Lots of fast paced action with nice animated references to the comic book series. Nicely directed by Talalay and good cinematography. Very innovative for that time, I'd say. Whole cast is capable and convincing. Goofy and adventurous. Don't mind the script, it is just good old fashioned comic book action brought to life, successfully Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 07/14/25 Full Review Micslinger T Well of course it's not the best movie ever, give it an honest shot. There used to be a time we could all just sit around and enjoy a random, goofy and fun movie. If you don't have a stick in your bum you're going to have some fun! Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/27/25 Full Review Jason W Kooky little post apocalyptic cult classic with some fun action. A healthy blend of comic book stills, animation and live action. Definitely conveys a pure 90s vibe, especially with the soundtrack. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/16/25 Full Review alan g This movie confirms that Lori Petty is a no talent freak. She is more a comic book character than human actor. Bad movie cheesy acting. Read the comic instead. Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 03/05/25 Full Review Elizabeth G I was 13 when this movie came out. I saw it in the theater and loved it right away. I watched a lot of MTV growing up, so the faster paced editing was appealing. The movie feels like one long music video. The soundtrack is killer as well! I love how imaginative, creative, and a little left of center the movie is. It's a must see with an open mind. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/22/24 Full Review Read all reviews
Tank Girl

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Movie Info

Synopsis After a comet disrupts the rain cycle of Earth, the planet has become a desolate, barren desert by the year 2033. With resources scarce, Kesslee (Malcolm McDowell) -- head of the powerful and evil Water & Power Corporation, the de facto government -- has taken control of the water supply. Unwilling to cower under Kesslee's tyrannical rule, a pair of outlaws known as Tank Girl (Lori Petty) and Jet Girl (Naomi Watts) rise up, joining the mysterious rebel Rippers to destroy the corrupt system.
Director
Rachel Talalay
Producer
John Watson, Richard B. Lewis, Pen Densham
Screenwriter
Jamie Hewlett, Tedi Sarafian
Distributor
United Artists, MGM/UA Home Entertainment Inc.
Production Co
United Artists, Image Comics, Trilogy Entertainment Group
Rating
R
Genre
Sci-Fi, Adventure, Action
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Mar 31, 1995, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Oct 1, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$3.8M
Runtime
1h 44m
Sound Mix
Stereo
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