Watch The Last Starfighter

The Last Starfighter is a 1984 science fiction film that tells the story of Alex Rogan, a young man who dreams of escaping the monotony of his trailer park existence by becoming a successful video game player. One day, he breaks the high score on a game called "Starfighter" - and to his surprise, it turns out to be a test created by an alien race searching for skilled pilots to fight in a war against an evil force known as the Ko-Dan Empire.

Alex is quickly recruited by Centauri, a humanoid alien who created the game and now serves as a recruiter for the Star League. Despite his initial reluctance, Alex soon finds himself transported to a distant planet and given the opportunity to train as a starfighter pilot alongside other human and alien recruits. But as the battle against the Ko-Dan Empire heats up, Alex must confront his fears and doubts about his own abilities if he hopes to save the galaxy from destruction.

The film stars Lance Guest as Alex, a young man who's struggling to find direction in life and believes that his video game prowess might be his ticket to something better. As he's whisked away to outer space and given the chance to become a real-life hero, Guest brings a sense of earnestness and relatability to the role that makes Alex a likable and sympathetic protagonist. He's joined by Robert Preston as Centauri, a charismatic and enigmatic alien who serves as both mentor and somewhat of a con-man. Preston brings a delightful energy to the role, infusing every scene he's in with wit, charm, and a sly sense of humor.

The supporting cast is also strong, with Kay E. Kuter as Enduran, a wizened alien who trains Alex and his fellow recruits, and Dan O'Herlihy as Grig, an alien navigator who becomes Alex's closest friend and ally. O'Herlihy brings a warmth and compassion to the role that makes him a standout among the film's colorful array of alien characters. The movie's villainous forces are led by Xur, a ruthless and power-hungry Ko-Dan officer played with sinister gusto by Norman Snow.

One of the standout elements of The Last Starfighter is its impressive special effects, which were cutting-edge for their time and still hold up surprisingly well today. Director Nick Castle and his team created a vast and thrilling sci-fi landscape, from the dizzying expanse of deep space to the intricately designed fighter ships and battle sequences that feel truly epic in scale. The film's electronic score, composed by Craig Safan, adds to the sense of adventure and excitement.

At its heart, The Last Starfighter is a classic underdog story, with Alex going from a nobody to a hero as he discovers his hidden talents and rises to the occasion when the fate of the galaxy hangs in the balance. It's a fun and exciting adventure that's sure to satisfy fans of classic sci-fi and action movies, as well as those looking for a bit of nostalgic charm.

The Last Starfighter is a 1984 adventure movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 41 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.7 and a MetaScore of 67.