When Masterminds Collide: John Carpenter Joins Forces with Alien's Brilliant Writer for Epic Sci-Fi Satire
Discover the mesmerizing sci-fi world of John Carpenter's Dark Star as two masterminds, Carpenter and Alien writer, join forces Unravel the captivating storyline, explore the talented writer behind it, and unveil the thrilling conclusion of this extraordinary space adventure
John Carpenter's directional debut came in the form of the 1974 sci-fi film Dark Star, showcasing his talent beyond the horror genre for which he is renowned. Shortly after, Carpenter achieved fame and acclaim with the iconic Halloween. Throughout the 1980s, he continued to captivate audiences and critics with his skillful direction in movies such as The Fog and The Thing, effortlessly jumping between the horror and sci-fi genres while delivering shocking and terrifying narratives. Dark Star is highly recommended, especially considering its exceptional script from the same writer as the beloved film Alien. Watching Dark Star allows one to witness the early stages of John Carpenter's remarkable career.
What Is Dark Star About?
Dark Star, one of John Carpenter's finest ventures into the sci-fi genre, stands out among his great horror movies. The film revolves around the crew members of a ship named Dark Star, whose mission is to eliminate "unstable planets" that pose potential threats. Set in the middle of the 22nd century, the movie features Dan O'Bannon portraying the role of Sergeant Pinback, while Lieutenant Doolittle is played by Brian Narelle. Notably, Nick Castle makes a brief appearance as Alien, adding to his fame as Michael Myers from the Halloween franchise. Additionally, Cal Kuniholm plays the character Boiler.
The film showcases a cast of humorous and distinct characters, with Doolittle, now in charge of Dark Star, particularly standing out. Previously residing in Malibu, California, and dedicating his life to surfing, his transition to this environment is rather peculiar. This serves as just one example of Dark Star's satirical elements. Despite the presence of impressive sci-fi monsters, the focus of the film lies on the individuals aboard the space shuttle. As they embark on their journey towards the Veil Nebula, they encounter various challenges, including unforeseen electromagnetic energy disruptions. Struggling with their lack of expertise, it is precisely this element that makes Dark Star such an enjoyable experience.
Dark Star is renowned for its remarkably low budget of $60,000, astounding to ponder how a film could be created with such meager funds. Surprisingly, larger budgets often fail to enhance horror movies, as is the case with films of any genre. Dark Star, however, serves as a testament that captivating, amusing, and unforgettable movies can be crafted without the need for exorbitant financial resources. The film's simplicity is truly invigorating, as any extravagant visual effects would only divert attention from the delightfully engaging characters.
Who Wrote Dark Star?
Dark Star, co-written by John Carpenter and Dan O'Bannon, is a 1970s sci-fi film that, despite its corniness, leaves a lasting impression. O'Bannon, renowned for his work on the iconic 1979 film Alien, also penned other beloved classics such as Total Recall and Screamers. It is worth mentioning that O'Bannon not only wrote but also portrayed the character Sergeant Pinback in Dark Star.
Dark Star has an intriguing origin. O'Bannon and Carpenter conceived the idea and worked on the movie while studying film at the University of Southern California. According to the British Film Institute, Dark Star made its debut at the 1974 Edinburgh Festival. In an interview, Carpenter expressed his distaste for show-offs and pretentiousness. He further elaborated on his motivation for making this type of film.
John Carpenter shared, "I've had a love for science fiction since my childhood. Some parts of the film were meant as an homage to the old science fiction movies... The beach ball alien resembled the rubber monsters from the 50s. We lacked the funds to compete with 2001, but its religious undertones offended me to such an extent that I decided not to go down that path. Instead, I wanted to create a realistic movie; exploring mundane aspects like how one does laundry on a spaceship."
How Does Dark Star End?
The films The Fog and Dark Star, directed by John Carpenter, both possess an equally eerie atmosphere. In the conclusion of Dark Star, an unfortunate incident occurs where Pinback unintentionally ejects Talby (Andreijah "Dre" Pahich) into space, resulting in the destruction of the Dark Star space shuttle due to a bomb detonation.
As for the four main characters, namely Doolittle, Talby, Boiler, and Pinback, they find themselves amidst the vastness of space. In a rather amusing twist, Doolittle rides the debris in a surfing manner, providing a comical finale to his character development. Eventually, he metamorphoses into a falling star and peacefully departs from this existence. Meanwhile, Talby is taken away by the captivating allure of the Phoenix Asteroids, an occurrence he fully embraces as his long-standing fascination with them.
Dark Star is a remarkable science fiction film that takes place in the 22nd century, known particularly for its captivating characters. The ending of Dark Star is both unforgettable and comical, as it cleverly parodies the typical conclusion found in stories of this genre. It brilliantly showcases the crew members' lack of knowledge about outer space, highlighting the inevitable nature of their downfall. Observing the four characters fumble their way through their space mission is truly enjoyable, and the ending seamlessly complements the overall tone and essence of the movie.
