I’m not usually a fan of low-budget science fiction films since they’re difficult to pull off successfully. The effects are what usually leave audiences in awe when they’re whisked away into a world they’ve never experienced. Under the right circumstances, there’s an exception to this, and a film can draw in people, making them appreciate what the filmmakers are trying to accomplish. Such is the case with Space Wars: Quest for the Deepstar (2022) from writer/director Garo Setian (Automation) and writer Joe Knetter (Nutcracker Massacre). It also helps having names like Michael Paré (Streets of Fire) and Olivier Gruner (Nemesis) on board to help them create their unique vision of an outer space adventure.
In this world, when someone dies, their soul, or “essence,” can be extracted and put into a new vessel to come back to life. Kip Corman (Michael Paré) and his daughter Taylor (Sarah French) travel the fringes of the universe, looking for things to scavenge to earn enough credits to bring back her mom and his wife. Along the way, they cross the evil Elnora (Sadie Katz), who will stop at nothing to see Kip meet his demise.
The father/daughter duo meet Jackie (Anahit Setian), who points them in the direction of an artifact that will fetch them more credits than they’d ever need. They head out on an adventure that could bring them riches and a chance to reunite their family. With Elnora on their tale, it won’t be easy, and making matters worse, madman Dykstra (Olivier Gruner) and his crew are searching for the same artifact. They’ll do it by any means necessary.
The main thing to take away from Space Wars: Quest for the Deepstar is that it’s meant to entertain and does just that. It’s not perfect, and there are issues, but I feel like it was made to have a good time with, and I did. They’ve put together a fun cast, solid-looking creatures, and decent effects with a story intriguing enough to hold you for ninety minutes.
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Paré and Gruner are legends in their respective careers, and it’s a treat to see them working together. Sarah French throws herself into the role and does a great job handling the action scenes. In a way, and I mean this with nothing but respect, it’s like a B-movie ensemble, a who’s who, if you will. Sadie Katz goes way over the top as one of the villains and livens up the proceedings. The CGI is rough around the edges, but it’s better than expected and part of the charm.
Space Wars: Quest for the Deepstar feels bigger than it is and opens a world that can tell more stories within the universe. You root for the heroes and can’t wait to see the bad guys get what’s coming to them. Also, whether intentional or not, the film pays homage to the campy, low-budget sci-fi done in the ’80s and ’90s. The cast has chemistry, while director Setian knows how to entertain; you can’t ask for more.
Scars and all, Space Wars does precisely what it intends to do: provide great sci-fi entertainment.
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