With the buzz around the new Spaceballs sequel, I finally watched the original to see what all the hype was about. Honestly…I wasn’t expecting much. Parody movies can be hit or miss, and I figured the jokes might feel dated since it was made in the 80s. But I was totally surprised! Totally holds up, probably because Spaceballs pokes fun at legendary franchises like Star Wars, Star Trek, and Alien that are still relevant today. Plus, I didn’t realize the star power that’s in the movie. Bill Pullman, John Candy, Rick Moranis, Joan Rivers, Sir John Hurt, and my fav, Daphne Zuniga, kept things even more entertaining. I was so into it, I didn’t even think about checking my phone. I was even laughing before the characters showed up on screen, thanks to that hilarious never-ending spaceship scene.
What really struck me was how Spaceballs has become a classic itself. Even though a few references might’ve gone over my head, the movie’s charm and wit still hit the mark. It’s not just nostalgia, it’s genuinely fun and clever, and you don’t have to be an 80s kid to enjoy it. The jokes land, the cast is fantastic, and the playful spirit makes it super easy to watch, whether you’re seeing it for the first time or rewatching for the gazillionth time.
The only thing that left me scratching my head was the ending. SPOILER WARNING! Lone Starr turns out to be a prince because his necklace is actually a royal birth certificate, but what happened to his royal parents? Where did they rule, and why was Prince Valium the last prince in the galaxy? Is what happened to the monarchy an England or a France situation? I wish they’d explored that a bit more, but maybe Spaceballs 2: The New One (which is supposed to land about this time next year) will finally give us some answers. Either way, the new movie has some big shoes to fill, and I can’t wait to see what they’ve got planned. I heard they got Rick Moranis to come back for the sequel after he retired from acting, so I’m very excited to see him back on the big screen!
You can stream Spaceballs on Crave or Prime Video.
Comments