The Black Hole

I was obsessed with this movie as a kid. I can't explain why, but it just captured my attention. Must've made my parents spend hundreds of dollars re-renting it week after week. After re-watching it for the first time in 30+ years, I can't explain why. This is a ponderous movie, with TONS of expositional dialogue, techno-jargon and philosophical ponderings. Any semblance of action is relegated to the last fifteen minutes, but you have to wade through a TON of talking. And then there's the tonal dissonance of the movie. Obviously inspired by the surprise success of Star Wars, Disney wanted some of that sci-fi money. But they crafted a movie that works awkwardly for kids and adults; one of the robots, for instance, has these big googly eyes and looks like a damned balloon. Another talks like the ol' timey prospector from western reels from the 40's. But then there's Maximillian, this all-red robot that might as well be Space Robot Jason, as it doesn't speak, stalks about the ship, and ruthlessly and violently kills someone. And that dialogue will bore anybody under the age of 25 to tears, let alone children. And then there's the batshit insane ending, with a vision of hell and a heavenly cathedral hallway that is trying to ape 2001's symbolism but comes off as lazy and simplistic. If it sounds like I hate this movie, I don't. I still have a soft spot for it. But as an adult, I can see now what I didn't as a kid. It's not good. It's a mess. It's my mess, but it's a mess.