Arrow Video, out now

 

When a widowed astronomer inadvertently causes a gravitational disruption in deep space, a race of hyper-advanced alien lifeforms sends one of their own to investigate, 

Richard Benjamin’s 1988 sci-fi comedy is a generic slice of ‘fish out of water’ humour with some awkward 80s moments that are out of place for modern audiences.

Astronomer Steve Mills (Dan Aykroyd, Ghostbusters) falls head over heels for the stunning Celeste (Kim Basinger, Batman), based purely on her looks. Unknown to him, she’s an alien, with a phallic friend hidden in her handbag. Mills thinks that her bizarre behaviour and trait of taking everything literally to be charming, but his daughter Jessie (Alyson Hannigan, Buffy the Vampire Slayer) spots her eating batteries!

This plays out exactly as you’d imagine, and it’s cringeworthy watching the men losing their minds to the extra-terrestrial sexpot. Brother Jon Lovitz is even worse, forcing himself on Basinger at one point and ultimately being rewarded by jumping onto a UFO with six models who look like Princess Stephanie of Monaco. Some fun visual effects and a chirpy score by Alan Silvestri are the only highlights in this embarrassing anachronism.

The new 2K restoration from the original camera negative had an audio commentary by critic Bryan Reesman, there’s a an interview with director Richard Benjamin, the original trailer and an image gallery.

Verdict: Predictable wish fulfilment fantasy for middle-aged men, they don’t make ’em like this any more (thank goodness). 3/10

Nick Joy