Have you ever had a moment where something that’s been locked in your head for decades suddenly pops up? I did. This afternoon. I happened to be reading an article on some Sci-Fi blog, and they had a photo accompanying it. Nothing too extravagant, just a red-headed girl shooting a lazer gun.
And then, I was hit with a flood of images from a movie — and experience — long forgotten.
It was the spring of 1983. I am six years old. A little film called “Return of the Jedi” was coming to theatres, and so, like a good father — my dad and I went to go see it at our local theatre in Claremont, NH. Of course, when we arrived there, the film was sold out. Apparently, other people wanted to see this “Jedi” movie as well.
Go figure.
So, not wanting to waste a trip, my dad bought some tickets to another movie. It was in 3-D. And, was probably doing pretty good business, thanks to the spillover from the “Jedi” shutouts. It was called “Spacehunter: Adventures in the Forbidden Zone”. Now, I haven’t seen this movie since then (as far as I know). But I vividly remember certain images. A lady android getting killed. Molly Ringwald soaking wet. A terrifying guy (who was apparently Michael Ironside) with crazy robot hands. Some silver-painted amazon-esque ladies. Lasers and asteroids and other things flying at my face, thanks to the fancy 3-D (it was my first time).
It was a fun time, but even at that age, I knew it was not a good movie.
Still, I enjoyed it. I thought the 3-D was fantastic, trying to figure out how the glasses worked by taking them on and off. We went back the next night and saw “Return of the Jedi” the next day. My dad and I sat off to the left of the small theatre. It was amazing.
When we got home, my dad repeatedly lifted me up and threw me down on their bed, like Vader did to the Emperor. I laughed hysterically each and every time.
It was a good weekend.
