Battle for the Lost Planet (1986)

Very interesting film. Was caught on the premise when seeing the trailer but unsure as to what the outcome would be for the showing. As it turns out, it was a very good film.

I wanted to like it more than I actually did... But much of the humor totally escaped me and I walked out only mildly impressed.

This story has more twists and turns than a second-rate soap opera.

This is a gorgeous movie made by a gorgeous spirit.

Super low budget and a bit tongue-in-cheek, this action adventure does hold some interest. A scoundrel space pilot, Harry Trent (Matt Mitler), manages to steal a space shuttle with malfunctioning controls while watching alien battleships with a dead-on course for planet Earth. There is nothing he can really do because of the wreck he has swiped. It takes about five years before Trent can return to earth and he discovers the planet is heavily devastated by thermo-nuclear warfare and under control of the invading aliens. Trent, now a glorified hero, somehow finds enough survivors to fight for Earth's freedom. Some silly situations and lackluster special effects help salvage this movie also known as BATTLE for the LOST PLANET and also GALAXY DESTROYER. Brett Piper writes and directs. Other cast members : Joe Gentissi, Denise Coward, Bill MacGaughlin, Helen Michele Martin, Kimberly Warren and Robin Lovett.

BATTLE FOR THE LOST PLANET is a micro-budget science fiction indie that reminded me a little of Steve Barkett's masterpiece, THE AFTERMATH, except lacking the same kind of gravitas. A space pilot arrives back to Earth just in time to see it being invaded by aliens, so he heads off for five years (!) to repair his ship. When he comes back to Earth he finds it under the sway of a merciless alien race, so he gears up to fight back. This is a very cheap film with a shot-in-the-woods vibe. There's a lot of cheesy action and many special effects, most of which aren't so special at all. Still, the amateur cast play it out with a tongue-in-cheek approach which almost works, and there's a real sense of goofiness to the production that makes it hard to dislike too much. A better sequel, MUTANT WAR, followed.

Harry Trent (Matt Mitler) steals a spaceship. While he is in outer space, he witnesses the conquering of the earth by a giant fleet of aliens who have a certain resemblance with warthogs and also grunt a lot. Because his ship is damaged, Trent needs 5 years before he can land on earth. Almost everything was destroyed by the invaders, but Trent is greeted by the survivors as a hero, because it is said he owns the weapon to fight the aliens. He has no idea what they are talking about, though? Science fiction trash with ridiculous special effects. You wouldn't believe my description if you haven't actually watched it... It's Trent's sarcasm and the obvious self-irony of its makers that makes the movie easy to sit through. Be prepared for something silly, and if you are in the right mood, "Galaxy Destroyer" might become a small gem in your trash collection.