BY JOHN BILLINGER
In the year 2000, a film came out that was supposed to change science fiction movies forever. It had all the makings of a generation-defining blockbuster, starring some of Hollywood’s top talent. Instead, it flopped at the box office and is now known as one of the worst films ever made. That film was…oh wait, you already know what movie it is because you’ve already read the title of the article. Oh well, it’s Battlefield Earth!!!!!!
Yes. The movie is based on the 1982 book by Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard, directed by Academy Award Winning set decorator Roger Christian, and co-produced by and starring the man himself…John Travolta. Critics and audiences were not kind to this film when it was released. They tore apart every aspect of it. Battlefield Earth made $30 million on a $73 million budget, it won big at the Golden Raspberry Awards, and its production company Franchise Pictures was taken to court for scamming investors by inflating the budget. Even today, its reputation precedes it, and it’s still discussed as one of the worst films ever made, alongside Plan 9 From Outer Space, The Garbage Pail Kids, and Birdemic.
However, I’m gonna play devil’s advocate. I think its reputation is far over-exaggerated, sort of like Howard The Duck. I think that this film is an overlooked gem waiting to be discussed in full, and that’s what we’re going to do today. I’m going to give this film a fair and honest review that will tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help me God.
The plot is as follows:
It is the year 3000. 1,000 years before…in the year 2000, an evil alien race known as the Psychlos invaded earth and destroyed human civilization in the span of nine minutes (what a way to spend the year I was born). Anyway, the remaining humans live like cavemen with no hope for the future, except for our hero, Jonnie Goodboy Tyler (played by Barry Pepper). Jonnie decides to leave his village to venture off into the unknown world. Unfortunately, he is soon captured by the evil Psyclos and sent to their prison camp to mine for gold (the most valuable mineral in the entire universe). The camp is run by the film’s bad guys, Terl (played with extreme subtlety by John Travolta) and Ker (played by Forest Whitaker). Jonnie soon rises in the ranks in the prison and begins to plan a revolution against the Psychlos; all the while, Terl watches from afar.
This plot is just incredible. It takes the hero’s journey that films like Star Wars, Harry Potter, and Jaws 3 have done, but elevates it to a level that far surpasses anything that has come before it. People always say Star Wars is the best example of the hero’s journey. No, it doesn’t even hold a candle at a first communion ceremony. I reckon that one day when this movie is rediscovered, the name of the Hero’s Journey concept will be renamed Hubbard’s Rule, after L. Ron Hubbard. And sure, some will say that the film is littered with enough plot holes to make for an unsafe road, but I say it doesn’t matter. I mean, who goes to a movie to think about whether or not their film makes sense or not. You’re there to watch the movie, and don’t question what’s going on or if it makes sense.
The cinematography is also a work of art. Something you might notice when watching this movie is that almost every shot is at an angle. This is what is known as a dutch angle. Typically, a dutch angle is used for an uneasy feeling, like something bad is about to happen. The reason this film used dutch angles for about 95% of the film, was to achieve a comic-book look and feel to the movie. It’s a genius idea. It totally 100% works.
More people should take their shot composition cues from episodes of the 1960s Batman television series. Why this didn’t catch on, I don’t know, but perhaps it’s best that it didn’t, because it gives Battlefield Earth a unique look. When you see a frame from it, and you immediately know what film it’s from. It’s simply delicious.
The design for the Phsylcos is like a fine canvas. It makes all the designs you see in other kiddie science fiction films like Star Trek, Star Wars, and Turkish Star Wars look like a fifth grader designed them for a contest. I don’t think there’s anything more to say about them. You look at them and see a masterpiece, just like this movie.
And then there’s the star that steals the show, John Travolta as the villain Terl. His performance was unfairly mocked. He won a Razzie after all, but I say, he was perfect. Just perfect. Some say that Travolta is an over-actor, and sure, he has been that in the past in lesser films like Pulp Fiction.
But, in this film, he plays the role completely straight and subtly. I dare say, he might even rival Marlon Brando as Vito Corleone in The Godfather. I know that’s considered the top-of-the-line, but you watch him in this film, and you are just awestruck at how good he is. Even his lines of dialogue rival Brando’s lines. I’ll show you a comparison. First, here’s a quote from Brando as Vito:
VITO: A man who doesn’t spend time with his family can never be a real man.
And now here is a quote from Travolta as Terl:
TERL: Well, I can assure you that I was not groomed since birth to have some cushy job that even a moron like you could perform. While you were still learning how to SPELL YOUR NAME, I was being trained to conquer GALAXIES! To do anything less is a disgrace to my entire family line.
*claps*
It’s amazing. I think Battlefield Earth might have been his best role since Staying Alive. It just screams art. The only actor in the past 100 years that comes close is Truman Capote in Murder by Death, and the only modern actor who comes close to Travolta’s level is Tommy Wiseau in his art masterpiece The Room. Those two should really do a crossover.
Overall, I give Battlefield Earth 10 dutch angles out of 10 for its evolutionary and inspiring story, excellent cinematography, out-of-this-world alien designs, and for what will go down in history as the greatest performance on film. Mark my words, Battlefield Earth will go down in history as the best movie ever made, and the Academy of Motion Pictures will create an oscar statue for John Travolta that says, “We’re sorry, John.” It’ll happen.
Side Note: April Fools! This entire article was a joke. This movie is garbage from start to finish, and Travolta is lucky that he actually found work afterward. Avoid this like the plague.