Arena (1989)

A human becomes an unlikely rising star in the biggest fighting tournament in the galaxy that's dominated by alien species.

Director:

Peter Manoogian

Writers:

Danny Bilson, Paul De Meo

Stars:

Paul Satterfield, Hamilton Camp, Claudia Christian

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Paul Satterfield	...	Steve Armstrong
Hamilton Camp	...	Shorty
Claudia Christian	...	Quinn
Marc Alaimo	...	Rogor
Shari Shattuck	...	Jade
Armin Shimerman	...	Weezil
Brett Porter	...	Wayne
Charles Tabansi	...	Troy
Michael Deak	...	Horn
Jack Carter	...	Announcer
William Butler	...	Skull
Grady Clarkson	...	Commissioner Dent
David L. Thompson	...	Doctor (as Dave Thompson)
Ken Clark	...	Marcus
Diana Rose	...	Space Lady in Nightclub

Storyline

Steve Armstrong is a human short-order cook in a fast food restaurant on a "starstation" where the most popular arena fighting tournament in the whole galaxy is held. Members of various alien species fight one on one, often dirty, to become the ruling champions of the galaxy. The restaurant's sole waiter and Steve's boss is Shorty, a short four-armed scheming humanoid alien. When Steve saves Shorty from a particularly unpleasant and violent alien guest, they're both fired by the restaurant's automated A.I. for brawling. Shorty shows gratitude and they become friends. However, without jobs, they'll both be kicked off the space station. Thankfully, Quinn, a human female no-nonsense fighting promoter, who's in quick need of new fighters, hears about Steve's fight with the alien guest and offers him sponsorship. Human fighters have traditionally been defeated easily by naturally tougher alien fighters in previous tournaments and Steve would be a real underdog. Shorty manages to convince ...

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Plot Keywords:

boxing champion | bruise | human | cheating at a game | event organizer | 

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Taglines:

Tonight. Championship Grudge Match. Man Vs. Monster.

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Sci-Fi | Sport

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Certificate:

PG-13

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film takes place in 4038.

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Goofs

During all the fights in the arena, many of the spectators in the crowd are just painted cutouts with clothes draped over them.

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Quotes

Space Comic: Oh, I could stay all night, folks, but I gotta go. A hand for the boys in the band, and remember, I hate your guts!

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Connections

Featured in Half in the Bag: Thor: Ragnarok (2017)

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Soundtracks

I Love the Barbarian
Music and Lyrics by Paolo Rustichelli
Performed by Shari Shattuck

User Reviews

Not Fantastic But Watchable

I haven't watched this film for a few years now but I remember it well as it was a real no brainer fun watch that I viewed several times on a battered old VHS copy. The plot is paper thin and not much above the usual T.V. sci-fi episode in fact I'm sure the an episode of Babylon 5 has a similar plot (TKO in series 1 or 2 I think a coincidence as Claudia Christian appears in both). The effects are basic the budget was probably minimal but this doesn't matter it's the vision of the future that sells this film you need to let go and use your imagination and when you do it kinda works. If you just let the poor effects go and some hammy acting in places you'll get some solid entertainment but you really do have to be in that B-Movie kind of mood to enjoy it.

The fights have to work around some ambitious (for the budget) alien anatomy and thats this films creates strength it tries to stay away from all aliens being basically humanoid shaped and throws the occasional curve-ball in there.

Solid not spectacular with a better budget a few extra sub plots this could have been very good as is a solid B-Movie effort no more, no less 5/10.

Details

Country:

Italy

Language:

English

Release Date:

18 September 1991 (USA)

Also Known As:

Arena

Filming Locations:

Empire Studios, Rome, Lazio, Italy

Company Credits

Production Co:

Empire Pictures, Altar Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min (video)

Sound Mix:

Ultra Stereo

Color:

Color (Telecolor)