The Jupiter Menace (1982)

Fantastic!

Dreadfully Boring

Admirable film.

There are moments in this movie where the great movie it could've been peek out... They're fleeting, here, but they're worth savoring, and they happen often enough to make it worth your while.

This truly awful documentary was funded by the Baptist Church, and if you can get a copy I suggest you watch it. Why? It is so funny, I was on the floor, in tears with laughter. Not exactly what you would expect, but most future events in this movie are supposed occur from 1985 to 2000. I really want to make a trip to see if those people ever built their fleet of zeppelins to survive the apocalypse. Also right toward the end of this turkey you see what are supposed to be scientists running a "computer simulation" of what might happen. If you look close at the end credits those scientists are played by actors. Most people with any sense, can see the laboratory is nothing more than a sci-fi set with blinking lights. I pop this on every time I want a good laugh or two.

this was quite a movie. I was glued to my television from start to finish. I don't think my eyes left the set. I have always been a George Kennedy fan and this film confirmed that love. The director was at the top of his game, and the script was flawless, it never slows. It is a rollercoaster of conspiracy and intrigue that even those that do not belive that there will one day be an apocalypse will walk away wondering. "Are we alone?", "Is there alien intteligence?", " is the bible right in its predictions?" all these questions and more will be answered once you've seen this film. I recommend this film to everyone and urge you to go rent it today, you won't be disappointed!

One hopes that George Kennedy was either well paid or was unaware of the full intent of those behind "The Jupiter Menace." In his defense, Kennedy appears only a few times throughout this "documentary" and doesn't embarrass himself to any great extent. Among the crop of Bigfoot, Bermuda Triangle, and UFO "documentaries" made in the 1970s and into the '80s, "Jupiter Menace" is a real gem. The film reveals its dire message that an alignment of planets in the, then near future, 1982 will start a period of turmoil on Earth that will reach its peak in 2000 causing a basic end of the world as we know it. The film is a prime example of this silly scare genre and includes goofy re-enactments and interviews with "experts" that are taking facts from Bible prophecy and/or psychic visions. Certainly more amusing today, now that we've passed all the dates foretold in the movies as being doomsday, this movie will entertain those curious. Particularly fun is the near-guarantee given by nearly everyone interviewed in the film that May 5th, 2000 is the certain end of the happy existence we've enjoyed on planet Earth. Also fun and equally frightening are the interviews with survivalists in the Ozarks and Illinois that are preparing to survive the deadly days ahead of us all in the 1980s. One must wonder, where are those folks now??? Sadly, they're likely still packed away in a bunker somewhere! :)

Happily, the music score to this documentary is still in print, and recommended for those into electronic music. Other than that, however, there is nothing to recommend this film. The "interviews" are obviously scripted, and too much "evidence" is based on the Bible and psychics. The predictions in the film never came true, but this review is not based on that. Even though the music is a scream, it seems inappropriately pasted into the documentary. Probably not a good use of one's time, except for perhaps the many examples of bad 80s hair.