The Last Starfighter

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The Last Starfighter

PG

1984

1h 40m

Sci-Fi

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

76%

Tomatometer

90 Reviews

70%

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25,000+ Ratings

After finally achieving the high score on Starfighter, his favorite arcade game, everyday teenager Alex Rogan (Lance Guest) meets the game's designer, Centauri (Robert Preston) -- who reveals that he created Starfighter as a training ground for developing and recruiting actual pilots to help fight a war in space. Whisked away from the banality of his trailer park life to a distant alien planet, Alex struggles to use his video game-playing skills to pilot a real ship, with real lives at stake.

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Critics Consensus

While The Last Starfighter is clearly derivative of other sci-fi franchises, its boundary-pushing visual effects and lovably plucky tone make for an appealing adventure.

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Jake Cole

Slant Magazine

05/05/2023

Perhaps the one area in which it’s ahead of its time is in its conceit of an arcade game being used as a military recruiting tool.

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Duane Byrge

The Hollywood Reporter

07/13/2022

Writer Jonathan Betuel, to his credit, has invested a very human element in this film, an ingredient that all too many sci-fi, hardware presentations lack.

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Paul Taylor

Financial Times

05/03/2022

An engaging enough comic fantasy for the post-'60s generation who've given up entirely on the Gutenberg Galaxy and are tracking Horatio Alger's footsteps via the video circuitry route.

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Nick Rogers

Midwest Film Journal

07/24/2024

2.5/5

Careens with an unwieldy gait from one idea to the next, representing an admirable number of plates with a regrettable lack of hands to keep them spinning apace. It's basically a wonderful musical theme and a killer concept in search of high adventure.

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Alan Jones

Starburst

07/21/2022

Manages to draw some charm from its two-dimensional characters.

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William Wolf

Gannett News Service

05/03/2022

The movie is entertaining in an unpretentious way. It also is extremely good-natured, despite the combat scenes, and some may find it a welcome relief from the summers more intense fantasy films.

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Ch

08/27/2024

What a great revisiting of my childhood this was! I remember seeing this when I was young and jumped at the chance to see it on the big screen again! Thanks for showing great movies like this!

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Ryan

08/17/2024

Great story, though campy at times but thats part of charm Wonderful characters Dated graphics, program to date would make timeless.

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kevin c

08/17/2024

I just got out of this masterpiece. I was lucky enough to see this as a kid when I was 9. Ive watched this so many times Ive lost count, but seeing it on the big screen today was awesome. Happy 40th anniversary to The Last Starfighter

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Jimmy N.

@jimbonelly Nov 1

Listen, I don’t write reviews. However, this is my first. Last star fighter… Seriously defines my generation. If you want Strong sons I’d recommend you watch this movie. If you want Loving daughters have them watch this movie.

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Noel L

Aug 24

It basically felt like a Star Wars rip off. I can also see where Gran Turismo got the idea from. The acting seemed solid but the CGI was dated.

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Aug 13

One of the best soundtracks ever, great for kids, fun characters and a good message about confidence and the power of a individual. Robert Preston is perfectly cast as Centauri a futuristic used car salesman. Characters have heart and are well established. The story line is great and even though the special effects are dated the overall movie is beautiful.

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Nick Castle

Director

Lance Guest

Alex Rogan

Robert Preston

Centauri

Dan O'Herlihy

Grig

Catherine Mary Stewart

Maggie Gordon

Barbara Bosson

Jane Rogan

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Synopsis

After finally achieving the high score on Starfighter, his favorite arcade game, everyday teenager Alex Rogan (Lance Guest) meets the game's designer, Centauri (Robert Preston) -- who reveals that he created Starfighter as a training ground for developing and recruiting actual pilots to help fight a war in space. Whisked away from the banality of his trailer park life to a distant alien planet, Alex struggles to use his video game-playing skills to pilot a real ship, with real lives at stake.

Director: Nick Castle
Producer: Gary Adelson, Edward O. DeNault
Screenwriter: Jonathan R. Betuel
Rating: PG
Genre: Sci-Fi
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 19, 2016
Runtime: 1h 40m
Sound Mix: Surround

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