Wonderfully Horrible Netflix Instant Films: “Spaceballs”

Mel Brooks is one of the greatest comedy directors of all time. The Producers, Blazing Saddles, and High Anxiety are all masterpieces. Young Frankenstein is, in my opinion, one of the greatest film comedies of all time. But by the time he hit the late 80's his schtick was getting a little...um...thin. Though not as good as hi s movies from the 70's, his parody films like Robin Hood: Men in Tights is still amazingly goofy. But my favorite one of his "bad" movies is Spaceballs. This spoof on Star Wars and sci-fi movies in general is full of so many great lines. Who can forget, "How many as--oles are on this ship? I'm surrounded by as--oles!".

Spaceballs tells the tale of an evil empire-like planet called Spaceball that wants to steal the clean air of the planet Druid. President Scroob (Mel Brooks) sends the evil Dark Helmut, (played BRILLIANTLY by Rick Moranis), to rob the planet of its atmosphere. It is then up to a Han Solo look-a-like called Lone Star (Bill Pullman) and his Chewbacca-like sidekick Barf (John Candy) to stop them along with "Druish" princess Vespa. There are many wacky adventures that are generally just set-ups for goofy gags. Some of the best are the Yoda-like figure called Yogurt (Mel Brooks) who trains Lone Star in the way of the Schwartz, the Jewish version of the Force. Lone Star defeats Dark Helmut and marries the girl. All is well.

Yes, it's not as good as Blazing Saddles or Young Frankenstein. It's still completely hilarious and brilliant. One of the best send-ups of the phenomenon of these blockbust sci-fi flicks is Yogurts explanation of the various tie-in products to Spaceballs: the movie. Spaceballs: the flame thrower, anyone? The cast is also unbelievable. Besides the people I mentioned it also guest stars Dom DeLouis, John Hurt, Joan Rivers, and George Wyner. Just try not to laugh when Dark Helmut kills a sound guy with the Schwartz. Just try.