Flash Gordon
Universal Pictures | Release Date: December 5, 1980
6.9
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 52 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
33
Mixed:
13
Negative:
6
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User Reviews

User scoreBy dateMost helpful
7
StevenM.Sep 8, 2007
OK, first -- this is the best bad movie ever made. You can make drinking games of the unintential (or are they?) gay scenes, and the scenes where our hero (Jones) just acts ... well, doesn't act. You know those films that are so bad OK, first -- this is the best bad movie ever made. You can make drinking games of the unintential (or are they?) gay scenes, and the scenes where our hero (Jones) just acts ... well, doesn't act. You know those films that are so bad they are brilliant? Like "Batman" from the 60s? This is the top one in my book. Watch, laugh, have fun, and thank the god you worship that you didn't fund its production.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful
3
FilipeNetoApr 14, 2018
Flash Gordon is a paradoxical film: its highly popular, despite being a movie without any quality. The script borders on the absurd, based on the trip of a American football star to planet Mongo, where he have to fight the perfidious EmperorFlash Gordon is a paradoxical film: its highly popular, despite being a movie without any quality. The script borders on the absurd, based on the trip of a American football star to planet Mongo, where he have to fight the perfidious Emperor Ming. There, he can count on the help of the tyrant's daughter, her lover and a local chief, Vultan. Basically, forget all that's logical, this film is pure entertainment and fantasy.

The cast is headed by Sam J. Jones, who gives life to the muscular hero, Flash. His antagonist, Emperor Ming the Merciless, is embodied by Max von Sydow. Melody Anderson lends his body to Dale Arden, Haim Topol plays the mad scientist Dr. Zarkov, Ornella Muti gives life to Aura, the sexy daughter of the emperor and Timothy Dalton (yes, the future Mr. Bond No. 4 in person) gave life the Barin, her lover. Most of the cast did very unhappy and really bad performances. The dialogues are ridiculous to the point of making us laugh. Max von Sydow, undoubtedly the best actor of the cast, is the exception. He made a very good, regular and appropriate performance, given the circumstances and the ridiculous character who fell to interpret, which is only a caricature of a Chinese emperor.

Finally, one word for the special effects, absolutely pathetic. Not for a moment seem realistic. I think maybe the intention was never to give them realism. The scenarios are so great that seem absurd and so does the costumes. "Men with wings" are the most ridiculous things I've ever seen on film to date. The best of this film is undoubtedly the original soundtrack, played by Queen, still relying on the legendary Freddy Mercury.

So, anyone can think: how can this Z movie has so many followers? I think that, for these people, quality does not matter. What matters is the film is fun and works, basically, like a comedy. And this allow it a space in the history of cinema.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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10
ZilcellJan 18, 2013
best movie evaaaah!
2 of 3 users found this helpful21
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6
TimP.Sep 5, 2007
It is what it is. No sense in taking it too seriously. It was, I must say, awesome as a kid.
0 of 1 users found this helpful
6
pgmarkDec 16, 2010
LOL funny movie. Very different at the time though and worth a watch. The music from Queen is spectacular lol I'm amazed they did the score for this... I want the back story on that. Watch it once for kicks.
0 of 2 users found this helpful02
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9
LevelsAndGearDec 27, 2011
"Flash Gordon" One Line Review! A-!

Despite the "willing to die for you as soon as we meet" love story and a slightly slow start, Flash Gordon is deliciously bad with its effects and dialogue - But it captures a Comic feel with great"Flash Gordon" One Line Review! A-!

Despite the "willing to die for you as soon as we meet" love story and a slightly slow start, Flash Gordon is deliciously bad with its effects and dialogue - But it captures a Comic feel with great imagination, colors, and over the top everything - Still fun to watch - Not to mention the rocking Queen soundtrack! A-! (P. S. Voltan is my hero.)… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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8
DukeJonNov 1, 2017
Just a brilliantly fun film. Such a shame the special effects have aged rather badly, particularly the hawk-men. Amazing soundtrack by Queen. Worth watching for Brian Blessed's performance alone.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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0
elguruMay 1, 2020
Trash, except max von sidow acting and the main theme song, all is bad.
The script, directing, acting, effects, costumes, edition and the whole story.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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10
thethetheMar 6, 2014
The best movie ever. You don't even understand how good it is. Too good. Watch it now and buy 10000000000000000000000000 copies of it, then buy 100000 more.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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8
Voodoo123Sep 25, 2020
Out of sync dubbing, ambitious overuse of blue screen and ott art style only add character to Flash Gordon.

This movies bold message of love and the human spirit of community and peace it really won me over immediately (especially with theOut of sync dubbing, ambitious overuse of blue screen and ott art style only add character to Flash Gordon.

This movies bold message of love and the human spirit of community and peace it really won me over immediately (especially with the queen soundtrack pulsing throughout!).

At it's heart seeing the titular character doing his best to bring this message to the inhabitants on the other side of an inter dimensional attack helmed by it's merciless overlord is touching and dials everything up. Watching this on uhd 4k it looks like it was shot last week with it's fantastic costumes and set designs. You'd have to be having a bad day not to enjoy watching this!… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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8
Kai82May 11, 2020
This is finest B-movie nostalgia, so bad that it is good and has an awesome soundtrack from Queen. Like I said you should expect an enjoyable and hilarious performance not a Shakespearean movie. I would even say anyone who criticizes this didThis is finest B-movie nostalgia, so bad that it is good and has an awesome soundtrack from Queen. Like I said you should expect an enjoyable and hilarious performance not a Shakespearean movie. I would even say anyone who criticizes this did not know what to expect. You would also not watch a Godzilla movie for its dialogues or Monty Python for realistic historical representation. For the movie itself I feel I have already said everything there is to say. The story is good B-movie material, the actors do the best they could within the scripts and the special effects have aged well for its time. I know some people will use the Jurassic Park argument here. Jurassic Park still holds up and if you judge anything against it for holding up it loses. This was not my point. The soundtrack however from Queen is what makes this movie so famous. I have yet to find anyone who dislikes it. The Flash Gordon song is so powerful that it becomes a (positive) haunting melody. My conclusion is also the initial sentence “Finest B-movie nostalgia, so bad that it is good and has an awesome soundtrack from Queen”. My only warning is that the so bad that category does not apply to everyone. Bonus film knowledge: Bud Spencer was in line to play the role of Vultan. This would be awesome alone for the idea of Bud Spencer, Terence Hill and Flash Gordon vs Ming;-)… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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7
kyle20ellisMar 24, 2022
Yes, the plot is silly, yes the dialogue is cheesy and yes, some of the special effects are badly done, but nonetheless it is great fun. Like Rocky Horror Picture Show, Congo and Jingle All the Way, Flash Gordon is a sort of guilty pleasureYes, the plot is silly, yes the dialogue is cheesy and yes, some of the special effects are badly done, but nonetheless it is great fun. Like Rocky Horror Picture Show, Congo and Jingle All the Way, Flash Gordon is a sort of guilty pleasure of mine. The costumes are quite extravagant and the sets are exotic. Then you have an irresistibly killer soundtrack from Queen, who also brought us the classics We Will Rock You and Bohemian Rhapsody. The direction is pretty good and the acting is surprisingly great. Sam J Jones is bad with his cheesiness but he was fun besides, thank goodness he wasn't bland like Justin Whalin from Dungeons and Dungeons, and Melody Anderson is charming and alluring as Dale. Brian Blessed is very hammy as Vultran but he is great fun regardless and Topol, who was so superb in Fiddler on the Roof, is memorable as Dr Hans Zarkov. And while Ornella Muti is a wonderfully witty and sexy Princess Aura, it is Max Von Sydow who walks away with the picture, pantomime of course but sinister as well and I appreciated that. Overall, not perfect and camp personified, but very enjoyable. 7/10 Bethany Cox… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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8
Muskrat147Jul 14, 2016
Though incredibly goofy, Flash Gordon is a wonderfully immersive tale that makes the most out of its source material, and features a memorable score (by Queen), beautiful set pieces, and unique characters.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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8
TSRivalDec 11, 2017
Flash Gordon has sort of become a household tradition in my family. I first saw Flash Gordon several years ago when my dad showed it to me. The acting is completely over the top, the dialogue is cheesy, the practical effects are hilariouslyFlash Gordon has sort of become a household tradition in my family. I first saw Flash Gordon several years ago when my dad showed it to me. The acting is completely over the top, the dialogue is cheesy, the practical effects are hilariously awful (considering Star Wars came out in 77, and The Thing came out in 82), and it's one of the best sci-fi movies ever made. The sets and costumes are colorful and weird, the villains are very corny, and the soundtrack is absolutely incredible (no sarcasm. Queen did the soundtrack). This movie is the pinnacle of the "so bad it's good" genre.

It is especially hilarious seeing Flash Gordon influence Taika Waititi's Thor Ragnarok. The costumes, sets, visuals, soundtrack, and humor of Thor are extremely reminiscent of Flash Gordon, and the director himself said that he had originally had a couple scenes that were meant to be direct references to Flash Gordon, but they were unfortunately cut from the film.

In conclusion, Flash Gordon is not for everyone. If you are looking for a cool sci-fi or space opera akin to Wrath of Khan or Star Wars, then this isn't for you. If you want to have some laughs and enjoy a fun, cheeseball movie, then Flash Gordon is perfect for you.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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8
KelvinSelimorJul 8, 2021
Flash Gordon. He'll save every one of us. Fast-forward to 80. The Queen band is recording an album for this film, but the film itself, unfortunately, does not pay off at the box office. But he's still not that bad. Interesting plot, coolFlash Gordon. He'll save every one of us. Fast-forward to 80. The Queen band is recording an album for this film, but the film itself, unfortunately, does not pay off at the box office. But he's still not that bad. Interesting plot, cool music theme and funny characters, especially General Klytus.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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10
marmarjohnsonSep 22, 2019
Like sweet and sour or hot and cold, this movie contrasts good and bad in a delicious movie watching experience. Queen soundtrack blaring, a budget that when at least 50% it costumes, and the majority of that to headgear, it's a uniqueLike sweet and sour or hot and cold, this movie contrasts good and bad in a delicious movie watching experience. Queen soundtrack blaring, a budget that when at least 50% it costumes, and the majority of that to headgear, it's a unique formula for movie immortality. We watched this movie over and over growing up because it was awesome. It's still awesome. Grab a beer and enjoy.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
foggydew94Oct 3, 2022
Wow this is a film i suppose it is supposed to be a comedy of sorts but some of the scenes did not age well with some scenes feeling rather "rapey" that feels oddly dark in a comedy with such vivid colours and campy nature. That being said itWow this is a film i suppose it is supposed to be a comedy of sorts but some of the scenes did not age well with some scenes feeling rather "rapey" that feels oddly dark in a comedy with such vivid colours and campy nature. That being said it is enjoyable with a killer sound track and Brian Blessed's character being a standout which isn't saying much as the acting from everyone else is comparable to porno acting.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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