Written by Nathan Mackey

When asked by my editor to describe this film in two words, I could not help but reply, “Not good.” The George Lucas film THX 1138 stands as an excellent reason for fans to never know his early work. Excluding the big names like Francis Ford Coppola, Robert Duvall, and, of course, Georgey Porgy (Lucas) himself, there is little reason to waste the time, electricity, DVD construction costs, or the energy it takes to bag this film and carry to your car. In short, the only reason to watch this film is so you know not to watch it in the future. Perhaps it is that THX 1138 is an R rated 88 minute rollercoaster of awkward sex scenes, and over drugged, uninteresting life in the twenty first century that makes me wish Lucas had begun his career with American Graffiti. Of course, I've never actually seen American Graffiti, but I have never seen it in the five dollar bin either.

I don't mean to say that there are no saving graces to this early film by a man who would go on to make some of my fun faves. There are several points that, while they didn't exactly make the film worth watching, acted as stepping stones to help me reach dry land on the far side of the ending credits. Firstly, some of the acting was great. I realize that “drugged out of your mind” is an easy role to portray, but Duvall's gradual return to a thinking, opinionated human being was thoroughly convincing, and Donald Pleasance's sobriety induced ravings helped me relate to the eccentricities of sane men in a world of doped up sheep. Secondly, the film presents a frightening view of what the future could be. I've seen what happens when society looses a few collective IQ points, thank you Reality TV, and I appreciate the warning. Thirdly, I loved the set design. I felt as though I was witnessing the early stages of the progression that eventually led to the Death Star. Finally, the highlight of this film had to be the Jesus in a box. In place of real moral leadership, this society had what looked like Jesus trapped in a telephone booth. His only job's were consolation and drug prescription. “You are a true believer. Blessings of the state. Blessings of the masses. Thou art a subject of the divine created in the image of man by the masses for the masses. Here's your Zoloft.”

Sadly, these high points were over shadowed by a series of bizarre events and situations that relentlessly flashed across my old Commodore 64 viewing screen. With a few noted exceptions, everything about this movie made me uncomfortable. The credits, which ran at the beginning, presumably because George understood that there would be nobody left to see them run at the end, felt like a violation against us, the film viewers. The Buck Rogers intro that followed raised my hopes at first. It seemed like a fun way to show that the world would rather use technology in harmony with man than create a numb, computer mandated society with humanity enslaved, but it left me feeling more depressed than ever when I was plunged into the bleak story that followed. The depressing atmosphere was enhanced by the long silences between dialog and awkward masturbatory scenes with THX 1138 and the “Autosuck 4000.” Interestingly, though THX 1138 is put on trial for drug evasion and gross sexual perversion, the Autosuck was not an issue. The torture counsel was more interested in his unhealthy interest in his mate, and his “unorthodox” (average randy male) habits in the bedroom.

All of his revolutionary tendencies aside, I'm quite sure he never would have been caught if the investigation had been left to the frighteningly fragile robot police that usually manage the populace. They are extremely difficult to build without melting workers to the floor, yet when attacked by average, un-drugged humans they are easily beaten senseless, so it is no surprise that THX 1138 can evade them without a problem, and is only caught when, during the “climax”, the human overlords find him in his apartment.

Overall, I'd say that if this movie were a steak, I would have sent it back and asked for a less bland steak. As with all of my reviews this is only one man's opinion, and I would love to hear yours. Watch it for yourself. Tell me you think.

NCM 2322 out.

Send your ideas to Nathan@electricdragoncafe.com