When Earth falls under attack from the evil tyrant Ming the Merciless (Max von Sydow) only one man can save humanity. New York Jets quarterback Flash Gordon ( Sam J. Jones) and travel agent Dale Arden (Melody Anderson) are transported to the planet Mongo by the eccentric scientist Dr. Zarkov (Topol) and join forces with Prince Barin (Timothy Dalton), Prince Vultan (Brian Blessed) and Princess Aura (Ornella Muti) to save not just our world but all the kingdoms under Ming’s rule.

Featuring music from Queen and some truly amazing costume design, make up and effects Flash Gordon has entered the pantheon of “so bad it is good” cult classics. So much so that it is almost beyond criticism, although that will not stop me from highlighting my most cringed at and most fun moments. I will start by saying that my preferred 1980’s action movie featuring negative stereotypes of evil Asian people forcibly trying to marry women is probably Big Trouble in Little China so be warned that I do not share quite the same love for Flash Gordon. It was interesting to see the film feature a warning card stating that it featured outdated attitudes of its time that some might be offended by, a nice touch even if you could argue that Ming is an alien.

Those moments of cringe worthiness in the main probably focus in on the portrayal of women in the film. Dale Arden is a damsel in distress who falls hopelessly in love with Flash almost immediately. Princess Aura on the other hand is a sex obsessed sociopath who also falls in love with Flash almost immediately. They obviously end up having a pillow fight where beautiful hand maidens watch on in glee. It is insanely ridiculous, something you can either be offended by or laugh at. Although it was nice to see that the former gets one scene of kick ass heroism and the latter becomes more human as the film goes on.

Elsewhere the most fun moments all revolve around Flash, Zarkov, Barin and Zultan all portrayed by a group of actors completely committed to the awful script and insanity of the action. Without this commitment I do not think the film would be the cult classic it is today. The fight between Flash and Barin whilst Zultan remote controls the platform they stand on was the stand out bonkers moment for me. So much peril and camp in one scene!

Perhaps not necessarily one to race to the cinema to see (the print and sound were lacking in the screening I went to) but one worth revisiting on dvd/streaming. And remember, “Gordon’s Alive!!!”