“Spaceballs” (1987) is funny from start to finish, connecting on a high percentage of jokes and generally having an appealing sense of humor to carry you through the merely OK gags. But what might be most impressive is that it matches the spirit and pacing – and comes respectably close in special effects — of the original “Star Wars” trilogy (1977-83), so much so that as a kid I enjoyed it as an adventure film as much as a comedy.
‘Spaceballs’ The Review
The intelligence of this classic parody from Mel Brooks – who directs, co-writes and plays both Yogurt and President Scroob – is such that it parodies things that came after. Sure, most of the parodied scenes and moments come from the original “Star Wars” trilogy, with Lone Starr (Bill Pullman) and Princess Vespa (Daphne Zuniga) doing the Han Solo-Princess Leia thing. Efficiently, for scenes opposite Yogurt and Dark Helmet (Rick Moranis), Lone Starr fills the Luke Skywalker hero’s journey role.
But the planet Druidia doesn’t match directly with any planet from the original “Star Wars” trilogy. The pomp and fashions of the royal government match more closely with Naboo in “The Phantom Menace,” which came out 12 years after “Spaceballs.” The Trade Federation’s exploitation of the planet likewise lines up with the Spaceballs’ aim of stealing all of Druidia’s air.
“Spaceballs” (1987)
Director: Mel Brooks
Writers: Mel Brooks, Thomas Meehan, Ronny Graham
Stars: Bill Pullman, Daphne Zuniga, John Candy
That latter plot mechanic also calls to mind “Dune’s” spice wars, but while there was a 1984 “Dune” movie, it was so widely disliked that it’s unlikely Brooks and company were parodying it. “Star Wars” is by far Brooks’ main target, although the film includes gags about the beaming process in “Star Trek,” the apes’ annoyance with humans in “Planet of the Apes,” and the case of indigestion gone horribly wrong in “Alien,” with John Hurt gamely reprising his role as the chestburster victim.
The slightest “Indiana Jones” nod comes when Barf (John Candy) notes that Yogurt’s underground lair is like “the Temple of Doom.”
Simple but sharp gags
Brooks and co-writers Thomas Meehan and Ronny Graham wisely keep the stakes local – rather than galaxy-wide as in the original “Star Wars” trilogy – so jokes comfortably slot in. We’re never awkwardly asked to worry about the fate of the whole galaxy.
The designers keep things simple and funny by using Earth equivalents to the imaginative “Star Wars” vehicles, like a space Winnebago standing in for the Millennium Falcon, Barf the mawg (half man, half dog) standing in for Chewbacca, and Pizza the Hutt standing in for Jabba the Hutt. In another of those accidental predictive parodies, the Emperor Palpatine parallel is named President Scroob; we’d eventually learn Palpatine’s first name is the almost equally goofy Sheev.
Sometimes the simplest gags are best, as evidenced by some of the most quoted lines being “I’m surrounded by A**h***s!” and “We ain’t found s**t!” As illustrated by a clip from the bonus features where Brooks and Moranis do multiple takes of “You could be making faces at me from behind that mask,” comic timing is key.
Meta-commentary about commercialization
That having been said, “Spaceballs” includes a brilliant meta-commentary about the ratcheting up of the movie industry’s commercial-mindedness. The home-video release of “Spaceballs” exists within the movie, before the movie has been completed, from the characters’ POV. (This leads to an Abbott and Costello-style riff about the nature of time — rather deep stuff for a silly parody.)
Later, Yogurt tells Lone Starr about the importance of merchandizing, and the camera pans across various “Spaceballs” tie-ins – six years before “Jurassic Park” would ogle “Jurassic Park” products. Yes, “Jurassic Park” is commenting on the troubling issue of putting merchandising ahead of the core product’s quality in the planning stages. But still, it’s another example of the parody coming before what it parodies.
In 1987, when “Spaceballs” zinged “Star Wars’ ” commercial appeal with Yogurt telling Lone Starr they’ll likely meet again in the sequel if there’s money to be made, it was a little unfair, because George Lucas’ quality control was quite high. In the first decade of the franchise, in fact, fans’ hunger for “Star Wars” merchandise wasn’t satiated by what was produced. To cite one example, Lucas didn’t let anyone make an animated series with the main characters; he only allowed the droids and Ewoks to be used.
Reality catches up to the joke
Ironically, in the real world, “Spaceballs” did almost no actual merchandizing upon its release. A soundtrack didn’t come out until 2006. Now, in the post-irony age, you can of course get Spaceballs The T-Shirt and Spaceballs The Pillow, and action figures. In 1987, we could only be jealous as we watched Dark Helmet play with his toys.
I suppose it’s better now, as we have the option to buy all that stuff (although, granted, the prices reflect the fact that this merch is not mass produced). But what are the odds that “Spaceballs 2” can come anywhere near the intelligence and humor of the original, after Brooks’ sometimes shaky quality control delivered the likes of “Spaceballs: The Animated Series” (2008-09) and “History of the World: Part II” (2023)?
Look for this as the first indicator: If the title is “Spaceballs Chapter XII: The Search for More Money,” there’s a chance the filmmakers know where the humor can be found.