Radioactive Dreams (1985)

After a nuclear war, Phillip Hammer and Marlowe Chandler have spent fifteen years on their own in a bunker, stuffed with junk from the 40s and old detective novels. Now, nineteen-years-old,... See full summary »

Director:

Albert Pyun (as Albert F. Pyun)

Writer:

Albert Pyun (as Albert F. Pyun)

Stars:

John Stockwell, Michael Dudikoff, Michele Little

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
John Stockwell	...	Phillip Chandler
Michael Dudikoff	...	Marlowe Hammer
Michele Little	...	Rusty Mars
Lisa Blount	...	Miles Archer
Don Murray	...	Dash Hammer
George Kennedy	...	Spade Chandler
Norbert Weisser	...	Sternwood
Christian Andrews	...	Brick Bardo
Paul Keller Galan	...	Chester (as P.K. Galán)
Demian Slade	...	Harold
Hilary Shepard	...	Biker Leader (as Hilary Shapiro)
Sue Saad	...	Punk District Singer
Kimberly McKillip	...	Sadie - Hippie Chick
Gulcin Gilbert	...	Greaser Chick (as Gulshin Gilbert)
Mark Brown	...	Greaser

Storyline

After a nuclear war, Phillip Hammer and Marlowe Chandler have spent fifteen years on their own in a bunker, stuffed with junk from the 40s and old detective novels. Now, nineteen-years-old, they leave their shelter to find a world full of mutants, freaks, and cannibals. They become famous detectives in the struggle for the two keys that could fire the last nuclear weapon.

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Plot Keywords:

sci fi spoof | ghetto blaster | post thermonuclear war | urban setting | post apocalypse | 

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Taglines:

Just your typical action-adventure-science-fiction-musical-fantasy in the post-nuclear world

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Comedy | Music | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

Mexico USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 September 1986 (USA)

Also Known As:

Le dernier missile

Filming Locations:

Hawaii, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$141,055, 21 September 1986

Gross USA:

$220,038

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$220,038

Company Credits

Production Co:

ITM Productions, Vanir Group of Companies

Technical Specs

Runtime:

98 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This movie marks the first appearance of the name "Brick Bardo" in an Albert Pyun movie. It has, so far, appeared in seven of his movies.

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Quotes

Marlowe Hammer: Look, we don't got time for this, OK? We're on the clock, sister. This is time to clear the board, win the game, chambers loaded, hammers cocked, and our fingers are itching like a cat with a serious case of fleas.

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Alternate Versions

The United States release of this film includes a written introduction that other cuts of the film do not have. It contains more information regarding the keys and bomb. This can be viewed on the Vestron Video release and the Laserdisc that followed it. The German DVD contains the only Widescreen cut of the film. As a special feature; this intro is included.

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Connections

Referenced in Remo, Rambo, Reagan and Reds: The Eighties Action Movie Explosion (2014)

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Soundtracks

When Lightning Strikes
Performed by Sue Saad
Written and Produced by James Saad, Tony Riparetti and Steve Le Gassick for Drock Productions

User Reviews

These guys are a couple of big-time dicks!

Having only been previously exposed to Albert Pyun's 90s-era direct-to-video low-budget action garbage, I picked up "Radioactive Dream" expecting a futuristic crapfest like "Nemesis" or "Omega Doom". I was surprised to discover this movie is not only original, but extremely funny and entertaining.

Michael Dudikoff (in an effectively humorous role the same year he kicked off his B-action career with "American Ninja") and John Stockwell ("Christine", "My Science Project", and now a director of motion pictures) play Marlowe Chandler and Phillip Hammer - a couple of real dicks! Having been raised on 50s pulp detective novels (hence their names) while confined to an underground bomb shelter, they emerge 15 years after a nuclear war has turned the world into a post-apocalyptic wasteland. All these guys want is dames and to become the world's biggest private dicks. The first person they meet is a revolutionary rebel by the name of Miles Archer (Lisa Blount, who I also remember from another of my favorite guilty-pleasure 80s flicks, "Nightflyers", as well as "Blind Fury" and "Prince of Darkness"). Purely by accident, our two heroes end up in possession of the two keys that can launch the last nuclear missile in existence, and when this fact is discovered after they reach the last outpost of civilization - Edge City - they find themselves on the run from every mutant gang in town.

This movie's pluses include a colorful variety of characters, many based on specific stereotypes from different eras (pulp detectives, disco mutants, greasers) as well as cannibals and giant rats; general goofiness in both the action sequences and the heroes' trying to get acquainted to the changed world; a most excellent 80s soundtrack; and George Kennedy to boot. As expected, the movie is a comedic satire for most of the first hour, but then suddenly turns serious in the last 20 minutes. But this movie does end with the coolest two-man song and dance number ever.

In short, don't let the Pyun credit fool you. "Radioactive Dreams" is a good rental for those who wish to see something completely different. (Especially suggest a double billing of this with "Six-String Samurai") 7/10