- SLIPSTREAM
- Film (1989). Entertainment Film Productions. Prod Gary Kurtz. Dir Steven M. Lisberger, starring Bill Paxton, Bob Peck, Mark Hamill, Kitty Aldridge, Eleanor David, Ben Kingsley. Screenplay Tony Kayden, based on a story by Bill Bauer. 102 mins. Colour.Unspecified ecological rape has led to great earthquakes and geological changes all over the world. A strong, constant "river" of wind, the Slipstream, blows always in one direction across ascarred landscape which confusingly alternates between scenes shot in Yorkshire and in Turkey. Eccentric remnants of civilization persist inisolated pockets; transport is, inexplicably, by microlight aircraft. A supposedly criminal ANDROID (Peck) is hunted by a psychotic cop (Hamill) and protected by a young bounty hunter (Paxton). The post- HOLOCAUST scenario is intriguing, the execution is dreadful. Kurtz, who produced STAR WARS (1977), was attempting a come-back here, along with Star Warsstar Hamill; both failed. A few powerful moments focus on Peck's intelligent performance as the Christlike healer-android. Lisberger's previous sf film, TRON (1982), was not bad, and one can only wonder why this apparently promising project suffered from murky photography, confused editing and an incoherent and pretentious script.PN
Science Fiction and Fantasy Encyclopedia. Academic. 2011.