Re-Review of The Black Hole

DIMENSIONS RE-REVIEW OF:

The Black Hole (1979)

In the days after the tidal wave known as Star Wars, every studio wanted their own science fiction mega hit. Universal tried with Battlestar Galactica, Paramount decided to make the 'new' Star Trek series a giant motion sickness, I mean picture, and Disney went forward with The Black Hole.

There is no argument that this film is pure fluff, but fun fluff. Whether by intent or accident they where able to capture the feeling of a 1950's science fiction film, but with top notch special effects that stand up even after twenty years plus. It is also no argument that this was an attempt to remake 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea as a space film. But if you follow the directions of MST3K's opening lines "...Just repeat to yourself 'this is just a show, you should just sit back and relax'" you should have no problems with the horrible lack of science in this fiction.

There are many plus points of this film, such as the supporting cast of Ernest Bourgnine, Anthony Perkins and the late great Roddy McDowell as the ESP capable robot V.I.N.CENT. The feel that someone is inside a two mile long starship. Another plus is the robot guards on the USS Cygnus (even though they walk like a constipated Nazi Stormtrooper trying to do the goosestep) that have to have been some of the neatest nastys to come along in SF, along with the effect artists trying to create the illusion on weightlessness for out hero's on their ship, the Palomino. One of the most impressive effect was the Fantasia like tip of the hat of Hell that appears just near the end of the film as our surviving hero's travel through the black hole.

If you want mind boggling, hard science, deep message film, this is not it. But if you want a fun romp, go for it. It is not a disappointment if you view it as fun fluff. Remember, just relax, it's just a film.

The Black Hole has been digitally remastered and released (but not by Disney) on both VHS and DVD.

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