Hubbry Logo
search
logo

Solarbabies

logo
Community Hub0 Subscribers
Write something...
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
See all
Solarbabies

Solarbabies (also known as Solarwarriors and Solarfighters) is a 1986 American science fiction film, made by Brooksfilms and released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. It was the second and final film directed by Alan Johnson, who is better known for his work as a choreographer.

Solarbabies was released theatrically on November 26, 1986. The film was widely panned by critics as a nonsensical, derivative sci-fi mess, criticized for its silly dialogue, poor acting, blatant rip-offs from Blade Runner and Mad Max, and a nonsensical plot involving roller-skating kids, a magical glowing orb, and a lame villain, though some found it enjoyable as "80s cheese" due to its unintentional humor and nostalgic value. It bombed theatrically but became a cult favorite on video/cable, with some reviewers noting its production values (like music and design) and the careers it launched for stars like Jami Gertz and Jason Patric.

In a bleak post-apocalyptic future, most of Earth's water has been placed under containment by the Eco Protectorate, a paramilitary organization, who governs the planet's new order. Orphan children, mostly teenagers, live in orphanages created by the Protectorate, designed to indoctrinate new recruits into their service. The orphans play a rough sport which is a hybrid of lacrosse and roller-hockey. Playing is the only thing that unites them other than the futile attempts of the Protectorate to control them. These orphans are Jason, the group's leader, Terra, Tug, Rabbit, Metron and a young deaf boy named Daniel.

While hiding in a cave, Daniel finds a mysterious orb with special powers. The orb is an alien intelligence called Bodhi, who miraculously restores Daniel's hearing and has other powers, such as creating rain indoors. Another orphan, Darstar, takes the orb, hoping that he will be able to use it. He leaves the orphanage on roller skates and Daniel soon follows. The rest of the group chase after Daniel. The E-police learn of Bodhi while chasing the teens and catch Darstar with the sphere. The teens are eventually rescued by a band of older outlaws called the Eco Warriors. They have retired from fighting and are led by Terra's long-lost father, Greentree.

The teens leave the Eco Warriors and using their roller skating skills, break into the Protectorate's high security Water Storage Building. The teens discover the E-Police are trying to destroy Bodhi and they manage to recover the alien, but as soon as they do the sphere dematerializes and destroys the facility, releasing the water back to where it belongs as they rush out. As they all gather on a nearby hillside, Bodhi sparks the first thunderstorm the teens have ever seen and returns to space, but not without leaving a bit of himself behind in each of them.

Ultimately, in the closing credits, the orphans are seen swimming together in the newly-restored ocean, Darstar being fully accepted into the group and Jason and Terra sharing a kiss.

Executive producer Mel Brooks explained how Solarbabies was made in an episode of the podcast How Did This Get Made? Co-writer Douglas Anthony Metrov was also interviewed for a How Did This Get Made? article for /Film.

Metrov was inspired by the "guerrilla filmmaking" methods of his friend Abel Ferrara to create a low-budget film of his own. He subsequently wrote a 32-page treatment for a science fiction film about a group of children he dubbed the "Little Rascals of the future." The treatment caught the attention of veteran screenwriter Walon Green and Mark Johnson, an employee for Brooks. To pitch the film to potential investors, Metrov filmed a 12-minute slideshow with random kids playing the parts.

See all
User Avatar
No comments yet.