This post is part of my movie-a-day challenge in which I will watch a film every day for 365 days. Today is Day 240! You can see all the posts for this challenge HERE. To see the original Movie-a-Day Challenge post, click HERE.
Hey friends!
So, guess what? I finally got around to watching “Spaceballs” for the first time ever. I know, I know—how did I, a self-proclaimed movie buff, manage to avoid this Mel Brooks classic until now? Sometimes, life throws curveballs, and sometimes, those curveballs are space-themed comedies. Let’s just say I was in for quite the chuckle-fest.
Alright, let’s dive in. “Spaceballs,” released back in 1987, is Mel Brooks poking fun at the sci-fi epic “Star Wars,” along with a smattering of other science fiction staples. From the get-go, it’s clear the film doesn’t take itself seriously—not even a little bit. The hilarious opening crawl spoof already had me snickering.
Our hero, Lone Starr (played by Bill Pullman), is this charming rogue of a space pilot—you know, kinda like Han Solo, but even scruffier around the edges. He zooms around space in his Winnebago spaceship with his buddy Barf (the legendary John Candy), who is half-man, half-dog (seriously, what’s not to love about a character named Barf?). Every time I saw John Candy in that furry costume with the floppy ears, I couldn’t help but crack up. It’s like if Chewbacca moonlighted as a Labrador Retriever.
Then there’s Princess Vespa, who is every bit the stereotypical damsel in distress but with a twist. Daphne Zuniga brings this great mix of bratty and feisty to her role, which kept things interesting. And her sidekick, Dot Matrix, voiced by Joan Rivers? Absolute perfection. Dot’s sassy remarks and prim attitudes added a layer of humor that only Joan Rivers could deliver.
Now, the baddies! Rick Moranis as Dark Helmet is pure comedic genius. His oversized helmet is both ridiculous and iconic. Seriously, every time he tried to do something menacing and failed spectacularly, I couldn’t stop laughing. And Mel Brooks himself? Well, he pulls double duty as President Skroob and Yogurt (the Yoda-like guru), and he’s just brilliant. I mean, who else could invent “The Schwartz” and make it sound both hilarious and kind of cool?
A scene that really got me was when Lone Starr and Barf are flying through space and accidentally jam the radars of Spaceball One with—wait for it—actual raspberry jam. Complete with a giant jar flying straight into the radar dish. This film’s commitment to absurdity is what makes it such a gem.
Can we talk about the set design and costumes? They have this wonderfully low-budget charm. The plastic spaceship buttons, the cheap costumes, the exaggerated props—it all feels like a giant, affectionate slapstick tribute to the sci-fi genre. It’s like a bunch of friends decided to make the goofiest film they could imagine and had an absolute blast doing it.
Oh, and a fun fact for you: Did you know that Mel Brooks had to promise George Lucas that no Spaceballs merchandise would ever be made? That’s right. Lucas gave his blessing for the parody as long as there were no Spaceballs action figures or lunchboxes hitting the shelves. Ironically, this very theme is hilariously mocked in the movie itself with Yogurt’s merchandising line. Ah, Mel Brooks, you cheeky genius.
So, if I had to sum up my thoughts on “Spaceballs,” I’d say it’s the perfect movie for when you need a break from reality. It’s goofy, clever, and brimming with that signature Mel Brooks wit. Plus, it’s filled with those laugh-out-loud moments that remind us why we love movies in the first place. Be warned: It’s very, very silly and over-the-top.
Until tomorrow!
Roger