Tank Girl (1995) 4.8
Based on the British cult comic-strip, our tank-riding anti-heroine fights a mega-corporation, which controls the world's water supply. Director:Rachel Talalay |
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Tank Girl (1995) 4.8
Based on the British cult comic-strip, our tank-riding anti-heroine fights a mega-corporation, which controls the world's water supply. Director:Rachel Talalay |
|
| 0Share... |
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Lori Petty | ... | ||
| Ice-T | ... | ||
| Naomi Watts | ... | ||
| Don Harvey | ... |
Sgt. Small
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| Jeff Kober | ... | ||
| Reg E. Cathey | ... | ||
| Scott Coffey | ... | ||
| Malcolm McDowell | ... | ||
| Stacy Linn Ramsower | ... |
Sam
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| Ann Cusack | ... | ||
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Brian Wimmer | ... |
Richard
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| Iggy Pop | ... | ||
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Dawn Robinson | ... |
Model
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| Billy L. Sullivan | ... |
Max
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| James Hong | ... |
Che'tsai
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Tank Girl (Rebecca) and her friends are the only remaining citizens living in the wasteland that is Earth, where all the remaining water is controlled by Water and Power, the mega corporation/government that runs the territory. While incarcerated at W + P, Tank Girl and her new friend Jet Girl break out and steal... a tank and a jet. After meeting some mutant kangaroo/humans, and rescuing her little girl (adopted by her friends), the kangaroos and the girls kick Water and Powers' butt. Written by David Flaherty <flaherty@infohouse.com>
Movie adaptation of a British comic book. It's 2033--Earth had been hit by a giant comet 11 years before. It wiped out most of civilization and (somehow) caused it never to rain again. Water is in very short supply and evil Kesslee (Malcolm McDowell) is hoarding it all and controlling it. He's attacked by the Rippers--a gang of mutant man-animals (don't ask). He also attacks Rebecca (Lori Petty) and destroys most of her friends. She vows revenge. That's (sort of) the plot.
The original comic book was great. Tons of sex, nudity, violence, strong aggressive women and a stubborn refusal to take itself seriously. The movie tries to recreate that--and it succeeds! The nudity is gone and sex and the violence were toned down but the strong female characters remain. It all starts out with a great opening song and cartoon images from the comic book shoved in your face. Then Rebecca orders her boyfriend Richard (Brian Wimmer) to strip at gunpoint! Then it starts to get strange... There is a plot but the story keeps taking detours with STRANGE (but fun) dialogue, a loud aggressive alternative soundtrack, animated sequences and even a show stopping song and dance number! This all somehow fits together and the movie never stops moving. Set designs are incredible--filled to the brim with pop culture. Director Rachel Talalay deserves credit for keeping this all together.
The acting is great--McDowell goes over the top (enjoyably), Naomi Watts is fun as Jet Girl and Petty is just beyond belief as Tank Girl. Loud, aggressive, snapping off one-liners left and right and a STRONG female character who never stops fighting. Just great all the way! United Artists had no idea how to market this picture (it IS difficult) so it bombed but it acquired a cult following. This isn't for everybody (a lot of critics hated it) but I loved it. A 10.
Best exchange: Tank Girl asks the madam of a whorehouse to sing. The madam asks, "What song?" Tank Girl responds, "Let's Do It by Cole Porter, 1929." The madam: "I HATE that song".