Escape from Galaxy 3 (1981) User Reviews (14)

Good nonsense that sadly turns into tedious nonsense

[Red-Barracuda · 3/10 · 10 April 2014]

Star Wars certainly has a lot to answer for. Its massive success perhaps unsurprisingly led to the Italians producing their own sci-fi adventures. Except, of course, they made them very cheaply and the results look absolutely ridiculous now and I daresay they didn't appear all that impressive back in the day either. Escape from Galaxy 3 is a pretty good example of this type of thing. It's a committedly ridiculous film from start to finish. It tells the story of a couple of aliens on the run from an evil tyrant who wind up landing on Earth and learning about love and sex in the process.

This one starts out with great potential, with a first half hour ram-packed with sci-fi idiocy of the most promising kind. We have a kindly space ruler who sports a crown and his evil nemesis who wears an elaborate costume and has a glittery beard; there are a couple of male/female heroes who have laser rings and supersonic powers, the male of which sports a bubble perm; we have space battles and intergalactic chases; and all of this is scored to an insistent disco soundtrack. All of this bodes well and it still seems like it's going in a good direction when our heroes land on Earth of the future, where the population has evolved into what looks like extras from the Buck Rogers TV show. But unfortunately, all the good work is soon to be undone when events here pan out in a most tedious of fashions. For what seems like an eternity, we witness our alien beings learn about love. This entails all manner of tiresome scenes and an alarming abundance of abysmal humour. It also ensures that there is nudity in what otherwise would be a movie for children. Towards the end the evil tyrant returns and things do pick up a bit but the damage has really been done unfortunately and the over-riding feeling is of a missed opportunity at an entertaining cheese-fest.

Terrible, ridiculous, and don't miss it!

[unbrokenmetal · 3/10 · 14 July 2009]

"Star Crash 2" is one of the most hilarious trash flicks I've ever seen. Even the evil tyrant wears a colorful costume with lightnings painted on the legs (instead of black like a proper tyrant), because he knows it's all just fun. The first ten minutes with the epic space battle are looking like a party for New Year's Eve. The hero says: "We have to use plan Y" which basically means "run and hide", I guess. During their escape, they discover the planet Earth which is full of strange things ("Water? Don't touch it, it could be dangerous") and very stupid inhabitants who can't decide whether to love the visitors or hate them. After the first 10 minutes it becomes less spectacular; too much running around in the forest of Earth. But it was ridiculous enough to be of one of those flicks which are so terribly bad you can actually enjoy them.

In the early 1980s, i.e. after the huge success of "Star Wars", many producers thought the public would love anything (anything!) with space-ships in it. Otherwise you can't explain movies such as "Galaxina", "Galaxy" (aka "Galaxy Destroyer") or said "Star Crash 2". Director Ben Norman is Adalberto Albertini who also shot "Black Emanuelle" (as Albert Thomas).

Dull and stupid disco-era sexy sci-fi from Italy

[Eegah Guy · 3/10 · 27 November 2001]

Italians have been notorious for churning out lots of bad sci-fi films in the late 70s in the wake of the success of STAR WARS. Who is this film supposed to appeal to? The special effects, costumes and dialog are childish and the sex scenes are so tame they could probably get a PG-rating in this country. Two aliens on a spaceship land on primitive Earth and learn how to have sex, while they're being chased by a big black dude with silver glitter in his beard. I fell asleep for awhile in the middle but I doubt I missed much.

Later Period Italian Disco Peplum Star Wars Garbage, With Nudity

[Steve_Nyland · 5/10 · 25 April 2006]

OK so this movie isn't the greatest, but it's still far from uninteresting. The only real connection it has to Luigi Cozzi's superior STAR CRASH is the use of certain special effects shots. They appear to use some of the same models & spacecraft, which would of course be cheaper than building new ones for this film, or better yet just recycle the same footage. Nobody will notice.

Most movies are about two or three things. First there is the story or plot -- this time out two mis-matched intergalactic lovers land on a planet populated by castoffs from "Buck Rogers In The 25th Century" and discover sex. This includes an eye-opening scene where the film's heroine/lead actress goes for a naked swim in some sort of erotic oasis. I say "eye opening" not just because she is a delightful little morsel, but because the content of the scene is so at odds with the form that the movie takes: It looks to have been made for kids, but has tits. Huh.

And that is the second thing that this movie is about: Mixing low octane erotics with Star Wars inspired (or maybe FLASH GORDON would be more likely considering Don Powell's Parliament/Funkadelic Space Tyrant costume: wow!!) juvenalia. It's an exploitation film taking on the appearance of a science fiction adventure to lure in the kids, plus some bared flesh -- kept to a minimum, just a tad beyond the tease level -- to keep their parents occupied. The film is also equal opportunity in parading about a little space strumpet for the guys to ogle as well as an astronomical Adonis for the ladies to swoon over. Or vice versa: you never can tell about some people these days.

The third thing this movie appears to be about is how the European cult genre film craze -- dating back to the Gladiator movies that much of the film resembles -- had pretty much worn itself out by 1981. The Italians always were the most imitative of the Euro filmmakers and by the time STAR CRASH 2 was made they were imitating their own forms. Like FLASH GORDON and YOR, HUNTER FROM THE FUTURE this is essentially an updated Peplum saga with laser guns instead of javelins, and illustrates how by 1981 Italian B cinema was finally forced to find it's own voice after stuff like this stopped working at the box office.

The Italians went from Peplums to Gothic horror to spy thrillers to Spaghetti Westerns to war movies to Gothic horror to crime thrillers to car racing movies to Star Wars ripoffs and then back to the horror genre again for the 3rd wave of Fulci, Argento, Lamberto Bava and Joe D'amato. STAR CRASH 2 was directed by the occasionally brilliant Bitto Albertini, who participated in all of those prior genres and was on the tail-end of his career, and while this certainly isn't his best film his name is the big draw here: Bert Albertino movies are rather hard to come by, but unlike his ZAMBO or THREE SUPERMEN films there isn't much to recommend this one, aside from the kitschy 80's sci fi production design and the sex.

I happen to like kitschy 80's sci fi production design and sex so I got a kick out of this one. You certainly won't find the likes of it made today, and for fans of the Alfonso Brescia Star Wars ripoff school of film-making this movie will be a welcomed addition. Anyone else be forewarned though: There be Italians in disco robes dancing in this movie, and unless you are used to stuff like that you will probably find it to be somewhat silly, and maybe even a little on the erotic side. Welcome to Italian cult genre film-making, we hope you enjoy your flight.

5/10

"We're Getting Nearer And Nearer To A Heliocentric Point!"...

[azathothpwiggins · 19 July 2021]

ESCAPE FROM GALAXY 3 is yet another uproarious STAR WARS clone from Italy. With its disco-fueled sensibilities and ultra-fab costumes, this is why God created cinema!

It seems that intergalactic meanie, Oraclon (Don Powell) is up to no good, causing havoc and astonishingly bad "special" effects! Now, only one explosion after another can possibly stop him!

Cue the continual, generic disco music.

The wonderful thing about these epics is that they don't have to make any sense. At all. Just watching Oraclon in his flower-like, aqua / pink outfit and glitter-beard is enough to satisfy any fan of these films.

Enter Belle Star (Sherry Buchanan) in her dancing queen pantsuit, complete with a missing pant leg! As a bonus, her suit is also missing one upper side, compensated by a strategically-placed breast star!

This movie even has a Marjoe Gortner lookalike, wearing the latest in spandex ballet uniforms! Annnd, don't forget the entire civilization of men in miniskirts!

This is entertainment sent straight from the gods!

The quotable lines of dreadful dialogue are nonstop! The soft-soft core "love" scenes are painful! The endless dancing will twirl your brain in your skull!

WARNING: If you are sickened by the sight of pasty man-legs, stay away! This will only be traumatic for you!...

Laugh

[geoff_harmer · 4/10 · 24 April 2004]

I saw this film when I was quite young, my folks had no idea what they were renting for me. Seeing as it was slightly saucy, my memories of this flick are fond ones! ;-)

I remember the F/X being dodgy, and the film being dubbed I think. Infact, the only thing I can remember vividly (apart from a sex scene) was the stuff about the Aliens (I say aliens... they just looked like pretty people in loin cloths!) not knowing what water was!

Although i'm sure if I watched it now... i'd probably laugh all the way to the Eject button!

Wow, this movie is BAD!

[lfdewolfe · 1/10 · 29 August 2020]

I HATE this movie! It's bad, not fun bad but bad bad! All this movie is is people talking, that's it! People talk and talk and talk. Then when they finally get up and go somewheres it shows them walking there in full length with no dialogue. Not only that but the characters are just obnoxious, and the acting makes Troll 2 look good. It's only until the last few minutes when it kind of picks up with some lame but kinda cool set pieces. But even then all the characters do to defeat the bad guy is kiss him and then he just disappears. The plot sicks in this movie too, instead of being a cool action sci fi movie instead it goes to planet Earth and tries (and fails) to make comedic scenes. Stay far away from this movie.

Just Niot Enough Going On To Recommend.

[mikecanmaybee · 2/10 · 5 June 2020]

It's kind of a Sci-Fi that bogs down and never really recovers. Sherry Buchanan as Belle Star the Princess looks like she is ready to line up for the 800 meters in the Olympics. She is beautiful and in great shape while her leading man boyfriend Lithan played by Fausto Di Bella looks like a reserve forward on a "B" league soccer team. Fausto is not leading man material in any universe. The evil Oraclon, played with zeal by Don Powell, first blows up Bells Father the King, which has no effect on Belle strangely, and sets out to run Belle and Fausto down in his fast spaceship . He finally catches up to them on earth where they have passed the time by watching stupid dance routines and learning how to "get it on" from the brain dead earthlings. The movie continues to just keeps getting worse from there. Watching skinny Fausto play soccer would have been better then this movie, and I hate soccer.

Crazy Italian Sci-Fi

[skullfire-96621 · 3/10 · 12 May 2022]

This movie will only appeal to certain viewers, and they will love, everyone else will hate it. I love the time stamp of a bygone era. Bad Star Wars meets bad disco, with the obligatory cheezy love song.

Inquidissidrent Conic Tangents

[nogodnomasters · 2/10 · 26 April 2019]

This is a very bad Italian science fiction film. The usual criticism of noise in vacuums, gravity in space, and ignoring the vastness of space apply. In addition they toss around meaningless phrases in an attempt to sound scientific such as: Megamethric Teleprobe, Uranium vapor rockets, omega unit, intensive magnetic generators, psycho energetic force, space radar, and 15th dimension just to name a few.

The evil Oraclon (Don Powell) has designs to conquer the galaxy, a task that can easily be done by defeating one king and destroying one ship. Lithan (Fausto Di Bella) and princess Belle Star (Sherry Buchanan) manage to escape to an earth-like planet and land in a village that looks like ancient Roman hippies who like disco music line dancing. Here they learn about sex and love making from these sensual humans.

The movie has some really bad acting and lines. The plot was poorly developed. It is supposed to be erotic, but the soft core aspect of it wasn't that great either. It fails both as sci-fi and as an erotic film. It has some camp value.

Parental Guide: No f-bombs, sex and nudity (Sherry Buchanan plus an extra)

When Disco Aliens Fall In-Love

[Rainey-Dawn · 4/10 · 11 November 2016]

OK the aliens themselves didn't disco but their outfits looked as if they belonged in a sci-fi disco-tech and some of the earthlings wearing peplum outfits danced a tribal disco complete with disco music! Yes this film is laughable, awful, yet entertaining in very weird way. OH and how can you not like Lord Glitterbeard! That was too funny.

Basically, Lord Glitterbeard (or what's his name) is out to get the 2 aliens. The 2 aliens land on earth to hide from him but learn love from some peplum wearing earthlings who's leader claims that they are the last of their kind. The two aliens end up falling in-love and they don't care that they will no longer be immortal because they will know the joys of life and love plus they can catch virus, disease and such - they feel that love is worth the risk.

Terrible movie but kinda fun to watch in an odd way.

4/10

A choice tasty chunk of Italian sci-fi schlock

[Woodyanders · 8/10 · 23 April 2012]

Gorgeous Belle Starr (lovely brunette Sherry Buchanan) and her dashing boyfriend Lithan (dippy James Milton) escape from the vile clutches of dastardly despot Oraclon (robustly essayed with deliciously hammy brio by Don Powell) and seek refuge on a primitive planet called Earth. While on Earth Belle and Lithan encounter a friendly tribe of humans, who teach the couple the simple joys of wine, eating chicken, and, most importantly, making love. However, Oraclon gives chase and eventually tracks the pair down. Director Bitto Albertini, working from a divinely asinine script by John Thomas, certainly comes through with the inspired silliness: We've got ineptly staged spaceship fights, crummy (far from) special effects, laughable tin-eared dialogue (sample line: "You galactic idiots!"), a funky-throbbing disco score that really hits the get-down groovy spot, a goofy premise that's treated with uproariously misguided seriousness, gaudy costumes, leftover sets and models from the gloriously ridiculous "Starcrash," a hilariously schmaltzy song called "The Touch of Love," and even a satisfying smattering of tasty female nudity and sizzling soft-core sex. A total campy hoot and a half.

Bad guys wear beard glitter.

[BA_Harrison · 6/10 · 3 May 2013]

Escape From Galaxy 3 is also known as Starcrash II, which—if you've seen Luigi Cozzi's disco-era Italian sci-fi—should give you a pretty good idea of just what to expect from this film by director Bitto Albertini: multicoloured starscapes, funky music with laser sounds, some of the dumbest dialogue in the history of cinema, amazingly stupid outfits, a pitiful villain, dodgy special effects, unconvincing space battles, and a major space babe in a revealing outfit. Like Luigi Cozzi's film, Galaxy 3's sheer awfulness is the key to much of its appeal.

However, what gives this particular piece of Euro-garbage the slight edge over Cozzi's film is its beautiful female star Sherry Buchanan. Not that she is sexier than Starcrash's Caroline Munro (who would be very hard to beat in the sexy stakes) but simply due to the fact that unlike Ms Munro, Sherry gets her kit off and experiments with sex in what is otherwise a PG-rated space fantasy, something that proves hilarious and hot in equal measures!

Sherry plays Princess Belle Star, who escapes the destruction of her home planet by evil baddie Oraclon (Don Powell in an outfit that would embarrass Ming the Merciless) on a spacecraft piloted by curly-haired hero Lithan (Fausto Di Bella). The fleeing couple eventually find refuge on a strange blue planet (no prizes for guessing that it is Earth) where they befriend the primitive people who live there. It is here that Belle and Lithan experience the pleasures of procreation (as well as the joy of food and the visual and aural delights of formation disco dance routines) with lovely Ms Buchanan stripping off for a series of close encounters with various men.

Princess Belle in the altogether is most definitely the highlight of this unintentionally hilarious film, although writer John Thomas (*snigger*) deserves a special mention for coming up with the movie's incredible technical space jargon, which includes such priceless gems as 'hyper solar missile systems', 'mega degrees', 'equitonic tangents', and my personal favourite, the 'megamethmic teleprobe'.

Atrocious. Horrible. Stupid. Garbage.

[zaltman_bleros · 1/10 · 17 September 2023]

IMDB wants me to write 600 words to describe this atrocity? Two movies were on the disc, one almost as bad Italian sci fi movie called The War of the Robots (1978). After watching that I thought it can't be worse than this but here we are: Starcrash 2 or Escape From Galaxy 3 and it truly is one of the worst movies I have seen. It's stupid. Some guy and some gal escape the clutches of some villain and find planet earth in it's early days but it's some kind of sex planet, unknown which period they have arrived but the movie is so stupid I don't want to write more about it. There are boobs. But it doesn't make it better. 1/10 only because I can't rate it a 0.