For years, Oliver Kalkofe and Peter Rütten have been celebrating the worst films of all time in their cult format “SchleFaZ”. Last week aired the 150th episode, in which “Tammy And The T-Rex” was devoted to a truly worthy anniversary film – at least according to the author of this article. But he can also make an unconditional recommendation for episode 151, which will be broadcast tonight. At least for movie fans who love cinema, especially when it mutates into a cabinet of curiosities:
On April 21, 2023 (from 10:10 p.m.) “SchleFaZ” is about the science fiction unique “Mega poweron the collar – of course at Tele 5.
Now we can imagine that you have never heard of “Megaforce”. After all, the movie is already 40 years old – and you really can’t blame everyone involved if they’ve tried everything since then to sweep this mess under the rug. Fortunately, there are Oliver Kalkofe and Peter Rütten, who don’t even think about running away from the past – and let their audience participate in the processing of cinematic traumas:
“Megaforce”: Mega blockbuster between “ET”, “Rambo” & Co.
“Megaforce” tells the story of a special forces unit led by General Ace Hunter (“Rocky Horror Picture Show” star Barry Bostwick), who always come to the rescue when people or even entire nations are in danger. When the sinister Guerrera (Henry Silva) one day threatens the democratic freedom of the desert people of Sardun, Ace Hunter and co. not a second. Once again it’s time for the Megaforce to save the world with explosive power and sheer weaponry!
At first glance, that sounds like a classic everyday heroic adventure. Or from a studio point of view: for a film that appeals to the widest possible audience and that promises the greatest possible profit. Convinced of a great success, the makers paid a whopping $20 million, making Megaforce one of the most expensive films of 1982. It will work! But no one knew how wrong it was.
But how much money was $20 million really in the early ’80s? Does that actually make the film a major production, a blockbuster? Well, for illustration: The film was more expensive than a number of cult classics from the same year, such as:
- “ET – The Extra-Terrestrial” ($10.5 million)
- “Poltergeist” ($10.7 million)
- “Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan” ($12 million)
- “The Thing From Another World” ($15 million)
- “Rambo” ($15 million)
- “Tron” ($17 million)
In the end, however, only a paltry $5.7 million jumped out at the worldwide box office. More than 40 years later, no one cares – as well as only 4,000 votes cast in the prove. But who was responsible for the historic flop? The four (!) screenwriters who formed the story of a fifth? Director Hal Needham, who was originally a stuntman and might have remained one? Or simply the fact that “Megaforce” offers a lot of everything – without getting anywhere? Does not matter. Most importantly, it pops! And how it pops…
A must for “Team America” fans
If you’re wondering where the millions went, the cast centered around protagonist Barry Bostwick, ‘Warriors’ cult star Michael Beck and ‘Knight Rider’ legend Edward Mulhare is only part of the answer. It doesn’t matter if it’s just not well thought out, completely meaningless or almost aggressively stupid – in “Megaforce” chaos, war and spectacle reign not only in content, but also in staging. And a spectacle costs a lot of money today, just like it did back then.
An explosion here, an engine whizzing through the air there and tanks as far as the eye can see – and then, of course, there’s the futuristic fleet of vehicles that reportedly swallowed a full million. Not to forget: the revolutionary use of Introvision technology. All this consumes huge amounts of money, which the creators used as carefully as Ace Hunter and his companions handled their weapons. The result: an expansive material battle that is almost unique. Almost…
Trey Parker And Matt Stone are self-proclaimed “Megaforce” enthusiasts and orient themselves with their legendary puppet show buster “Team America“Heavily involved in the explosive catastrophe. The film served as a blueprint for the unrestrained, frenzied satire and was not only the inspiration for the eponymous special forces unit and their delicate missions, in which they gradually turn the earth into kindling. Some scenes, in which the saviors of the world emerge for good despite the loss, were even (more or less) copied 1:1.
And for anyone wondering how this circle is now closed: It’s ironic that one of the biggest manufacturers in the toy industry was involved in what is probably the most famous puppet movie in Hollywood history. Because Mattel was responsible for all of the movie’s costumes — including, of course, Ace Hunter’s outfit, which definitely ended up in one or the other aerobics video in the 80s, and even George Clooney’s nipple memory suit from “Batman & Robin” just about leaves you there looking old. Or at least less worthless. In any case, “Megaforce” leaves no doubt whether its hero is a right-handed or left-handed person. And… isn’t that something?
But don’t worry, the scenery doesn’t have to hide from the costumes. For example, if a missile attack is launched completely randomly at the beginning, the bombed buildings are reminiscent of the Japanese monster cinema of the 1950s and 1960s – or “Team America”. But that doesn’t matter, it doesn’t have to look real. And it doesn’t even make sense.
Because even though it’s even said throughout the course of the movie “There’s a reason for everything we do”, at the end the audience is left wondering why everything had to be reduced to rubble for world peace, which is what the Megaforce is leading the way from the gun. On the other hand, we have never been to Sardun. Maybe that’s how they run their business there…