I didn't have too much expectations for this film or didn't believe any hype there originally was. After all it's a low budget film. For the first hour the tone of the movie seems to be some kind of 80's teen movie. At least I feel that's what they were aiming for. So quite different than the original show. Sometimes the movie just gets too silly before going all over the top during the second half. In tone the movie goes from this quite grounded comedy to screwball and slapstick comedy. Something that worked often in small bits in the show but doesn't work here at all.
The biggest problem however is that they were aiming too high with this film. It could have maybe worked if the budget was at least 20 times of what it really was. If they would have settled for a more grounded comedy with that General being the only bad guy and the only really silly element in the movie. Then I feel this could have worked much better. They shouldn't have tried to add death gods, aliens and massive set pieces which here are animated with toys and bad effects. It just becomes stupid and annoying. The whole last 30 minutes feels like everyone just gave up on the film and put out something to cash on the fans. Also a movie like this isn't supposed to last two hours but 90 minutes at maximum to avoid boredom and keep it tight.
There are few slightly funny parts in the movie and nods to the fans. Mostly during the first hour but they are at best worth a chuckle. Mostly the acting is what you would expect from a low budget film, going from mediocre to sometimes bad. The supporting actors Jeremy Suarez and Sarah Glendening do a decent job with few others. James is himself and does his few trademark faces. The score is by Bear McCreary of Battlestar Galactica fame. Especially the theme of the movie is great. Now we know where at least some of the budget went.
It could and should have been more funny and the second hour shouldn't have been such a mess. Now it's sadly kind of a diarrhea dump of a film.
The biggest problem however is that they were aiming too high with this film. It could have maybe worked if the budget was at least 20 times of what it really was. If they would have settled for a more grounded comedy with that General being the only bad guy and the only really silly element in the movie. Then I feel this could have worked much better. They shouldn't have tried to add death gods, aliens and massive set pieces which here are animated with toys and bad effects. It just becomes stupid and annoying. The whole last 30 minutes feels like everyone just gave up on the film and put out something to cash on the fans. Also a movie like this isn't supposed to last two hours but 90 minutes at maximum to avoid boredom and keep it tight.
There are few slightly funny parts in the movie and nods to the fans. Mostly during the first hour but they are at best worth a chuckle. Mostly the acting is what you would expect from a low budget film, going from mediocre to sometimes bad. The supporting actors Jeremy Suarez and Sarah Glendening do a decent job with few others. James is himself and does his few trademark faces. The score is by Bear McCreary of Battlestar Galactica fame. Especially the theme of the movie is great. Now we know where at least some of the budget went.
It could and should have been more funny and the second hour shouldn't have been such a mess. Now it's sadly kind of a diarrhea dump of a film.