Our review:Description:'The very oddest good movie in many a full moon,' Buckaroo Banzai combines 'humor, imagination, a little oriental mysticism and a passel of sharp performances [into] very chic sci-fi' (Time)! Oscar(r) nominees* Peter Weller and John Lithgow team with Emmy(r) winners Ellen Barkin and Christopher Lloyd for a fiendishly clever, action-packed adventure in an outlandishworld you'll want to visit again and again! Brilliant brain surgeon Banzai (Weller) just made scientific history. Shifting his Oscillation Overthruster into warp speed, he's the first man ever to travel to the Eighth Dimension and come back sane! But when his sworn enemy, the demented Dr. Lizardo (Lithgow), devises a plot to steal the Overthruster and bring an evil army of aliens back todestroy Earth, Buckaroo goes cranium to cranium with the madman in an extra-dimensional battle thatcould result in total annihilation of the universe! *1993: Short Film/Live Action, Partners (Weller); 1983: Supporting Actor, Terms Of Endearment (Lithgow)
Amazon.com essential video:The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai: Across the 8th Dimension is one of the most agreeably insane movies ever made. Peter Weller stars as Buckaroo, an acclaimed neurosurgeon, particle physicist, and, of course, rock star. He travels with the Hong Kong Cavaliers, a band of hard-rocking scientists who are also really good dressers. Buckaroo's interdimensional experiments with his Operation Overthruster throw him (and the Earth) straight into the middle of an alien war, and before you know it, he's got just a few hours to save the world. Confused? Hang on, we're only 10 minutes into the movie.
Buckaroo Banzai hurls you right into the middle of its comic-book universe and keeps going at a breakneck pace. It's chock-full of overlapping jokes (even as we're trying to make sense of Dr. Lizardo's hospital room, a voice calmly announces that 'lithium is no longer available on credit' over the PA system), hilarious throwaway dialogue ('You're like Jerry Lewis: you give me hope to carry on.'), and weirdness just for the sheer joy of it ('Why is there a watermelon there?' 'I'll tell you later.'). You'll want to watch it at least twice--there's just no way to catch everything the first time around. Ellen Barkin has a terrific time doing a dead-on film noir moll parody as Penny Priddy, and John Lithgow turns in a brilliant manic performance as Dr. Lizardo/John Whorfin. There is no reason not to own this movie unless you are cold and dead inside. Laugh while you can, Monkey Boys.
--Ali Davis
Amazon.com:Peter Weller plays that Renaissance Man, Buckaroo Banzai, a neurosurgeon, car racer, rock singer, and alien chaser in this overdone sci-fi adventure from 1984. After crashing his nuclear-fueled race car and causing a disturbance in the eighth dimension, Banzai releases some extremely unappealing aliens into our atmosphere. First-time director W.D. Richter (
Late for Dinner) pulls out all the stops, resulting in a manic dash that is often incoherent. The intent may have been to re-create old-time serials with a pulp-fiction bent, but the screenplay, full of macho dialogue and cool poses, tries too hard. We could have done with a less complicated story and more character development. Still, consider this flawed fun, because it may be silly, but it is also clever. Originally released as
The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the Eighth Dimension.
-- Rochelle O'Gorman
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Buyer Testimonials
Average Buyer's Review:
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Fun, But Don't Expect Anyone Else to Get It
It's made in the 80's. It includes 80's music, 80's sci-fi visual effects, Rastafarian aliens... need I say more? The plot is simple. The character's are standard. In fact, it's mundane qualities are so mundane that they make the movie enjoyable. This movie relishes in it's ridiculousness all the while throwing in witty comments and jokes. And there's a watermelon. Don't expect groundbreaking performances or a plot that will make you think - this movie is about fun. So, "laugh-a while you can-a monkey-boy."
Buyer's review: -
A cult classic in the truest sense
I have loved this film since I first saw it in high school. Peter Weller does an amazing job as the main character Buckaroo Banzai. This extended DVD version has some great extras that really make it worth the purchase.
This movie has all you could want from a cult classic - from the campy special effects to the great dialogue "It's bivouac man, they sleep here" This movie is simply a lot of fun. As such - you definitely cannot take it too seriously or you will be disappointed. John Lithgow puts in a superb performance as well.
Highly recommended.
Buyer's review: 
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A bedtime story for an alternate universe.
Once upon a time ... there was a neurosurgeon who was also a rock & roller, and his wife died, or did she just leave? Not sure that really matters because he can drive through solid rock, except that it's really not solid, it's actually another dimension, or maybe not.
Confused? Not surprising. You may be just as confused the first time you watch Buckaroo Bonzai. You may need to watch it a few times to catch it all. You see, it's a bit like a cross between a screwball comedy from the 40's and a Woody Allen film. Half the time you can't keep up and the other half you don't understand what's going on. But, and this is a big but or bute' (inside joke), it is well worth watching, as many times as it takes to get it, all of it. Every bizarre detail.
I first saw it in the mid 80's on cable. My daughter, who was about 5 got it very quickly and thought it was a hoot. She went around playing Buckaroo games for days and I finally had to hide the hammer and explain to her that it was make believe and that there really were no aliens in the rocks in the yard. She still loves to watch it twenty years later and I have to admit to a certain fondness for Buckaroo and the Hong Kong Cavaliers which is why I recently bought two DVDs - one for each of us.
It's fun to watch, with or without popcorn. I'm not sure which part I like the best - John Lithgow as a maniacal dictator or Jeff Goldblum in fuzzy chaps. It's a quandary. It's a fast paced thrill ride into an imaginary world inhabited by ordinary people doing extraordinary things with surreality. You'll love it! Just give it a spin on your DVD player and become enthralled.
Buyer's review: 
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Not so hip after all
Sadly this is a movie that has not stood the test of time. The jokes are dated, the performances are unconvincing, and what one seemed outrageous now seems tame. It's destined to be forgotten along with "Strange Invaders" and "Earth Girls Are Easy."
Buyer's review: 
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Wow
I was bored and thought I'd look for a good movie I haven't seen. Wow look at all the great reviews I'll give it a shot. The worse movie I've ever seen! Seriously it drove my friends out of the house during movie marathon night. Finished it just to say I did. Only thing good about it is giving it to the most hated person in the office during the company party. Yup I'll buy for those I don't like in hopes they also waste their life's watching it.