Solar Crisis (1990)

Directors:

Richard C. Sarafian
Alan Smithee

Writers (WGA):

Takeshi Kawata (novel)
Joe Gannon (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

14 July 1990 (Japan)

Genre:

Adventure | Sci-Fi | Thriller

Tagline:

In the year 2050, the battle to save the earth will be fought on the sun.

Plot:

A huge solar flare is predicted to fry the Earth. Astronauts must go to the Sun to drop a talking bomb...

Plot Keywords:

Astronaut | Sun | Earth | Bomb | Space

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Tim Matheson	...	Steve Kelso
Charlton Heston	...	Adm. 'Skeet' Kelso
Peter Boyle	...	Arnold Teague
Annabel Schofield	...	Alex Noffe
Corin Nemec	...	Mike Kelso (as Corin 'Corky' Nemec)
Tetsuya Bessho	...	Ken Minami
Jack Palance	...	Travis
Dorian Harewood	...	Borg
Paul Koslo	...	Haas
Sandy McPeak	...	Gurney
Silvana Gallardo	...	T.C.
Dan Shor	...	Harvard
Scott Allan Campbell	...	McBride
Frantz Turner	...	Lamare
Richard S. Scott	...	Meeks

Also Known As:

Crisis 2050 (USA) (working title)
Kuraishisu niju-goju nen (Japan)

Runtime:

112 min | Japan:118 min (director's cut)

Country:

Japan | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Certification:

Iceland:12 | Netherlands:12 | Canada:14 (Nova Scotia) | Canada:AA (Ontario) | Canada:G (Quebec) | Canada:PG (Manitoba) | USA:PG-13 (certificate #30410) | South Korea:12 | Germany:12 | Portugal:M/12 | UK:15

Filming Locations:

Baker, California, USA

Company:

Asahi Breweries

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Who Is Alan Smithee? (2002) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Strip Star Chase

Not A Half Bad Movie

Man oh man, where do I find these movies? For some reason, maybe fate, I seem to find all sorts of Little known movies at my video rental store here in Fremont. The Wizard Of Speed and Time, Solar Crisis, The Black Hole, etc. are just the beginning of what I've seen. And so far, I have yet to meet a person who has seen Solar Crisis.

I first saw Solar Crisis around 1993 or '94. I was checking out the Sci-Fi/Horror section and I noticed a movie jacket that stood out. It really caught my eye. So I went over and picked it up. "Solar Crisis - In The Year 2050, The Battle For Earth Will Be Fought On The Sun- From The Special Effects Wizards Who Brought You 2010 and Star Wars". Sounds good, I thought to myself, Now lets see who's in it. Charlton Heston, Tim Matheson... I only got that far before I pickd up a copy and checked it out. I popped in the VCR when I got home and started to watch.

Solar Crisis wasn't half bad. Some cheesy music, but incredible good special effects, decent acting, and a sound story. There were some tense moments and exciting ones too. The ending, which I will not give away, was slightly reminiscent of 2001. How they got two fairly large stars to act in this is beyond me.

Later, I eventually bought the movie in a special "Letterboxed edition", which was an improvment. Recommended to non-descriminating sci-fi fans.