Product Description

In the year 2050, explosions on the surface of the sun threaten to create a solar flare that could destroy all life on Earth, and the crew of an orbiting space station must find a way to avert the disaster. Thrilling sci-fi tale from director Alan Smithee (Richard Sarafian) stars Tim Matheson, Peter Boyle, Jack Palance, and Charlton Heston. 111 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital stereo; theatrical trailer.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #125953 in DVD
• Brand: Lions Gate
• Released on: 1999-09-20
• Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DVD, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Subtitled in: English
• Dimensions: .25 pounds
• Running time: 112 minutes

Amazon.com
Not everyone will have the patience for Solar Crisis; in many ways, it lands on the not-so-good end of the B-movie spectrum. Possibly something got lost in translation between the American crew and the Japanese producers. The premise: a giant solar flare is threatening to end all life on Earth. Our only hope is an antimatter bomb launched into the sun to trigger the flare prematurely. A greedy corporate concern (headed by Peter Boyle as a somewhat doofy antichrist) sabotages the mission. Meanwhile, the mission leader is under additional pressure--his admiral father (Charlton Heston) has descended to the near-apocalyptic Earth to rescue his son (Corin Nemec) who has gone AWOL from his military academy. Jack Palance gives the best performance in the film as a half-crazy desert dweller who rescues the son from the cruel environment and the corporate goons. Story sound a little complicated? Wait till you get to the "intelligent bomb" subplot.

This movie has high hopes and some interesting moments, but can't make up its mind whether it's a Mad Max-style end-of-the-world movie, an Outland-style space thriller, or a Blade Runner-style "soul of the robot" meditation. It's none of the above. Best viewed after midnight. --Grant Balfour