MovieChat Forums > The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension (1984) Discussion > I didn't understand what the hell was go...

I didn't understand what the hell was going on - normal?

posted 17 years ago by DrJesus
9 replies | jump to latest

Now I hold a BA in film studies and am simple and purely a cult film freak - especially 80s stuff - and I've been meaning to watch this film for the longest time.

Maybe it was because I had the volume down low to avoid waking my girlfriend for the first half and the thunderstorm during the second half that meant I didn't hear most of what was being said, but I have absolutely no clue as to what was going on.

That said, I loved it.

Is this normal? If I watch it a couple more times will it start to gel? Seeing as though it seems like they tried to make it appear to be one of a series of films, was it intentionally confusing i.e. you were supposed to have prior knowledge from the other non-existing films, like tuning into a TV show halfway through the season?

Or am I just missing the point here haha?

do not adjust your face

[–] Mr-Fusion 17 years ago

Is this normal? If I watch it a couple more times will it start to gel? Seeing as though it seems like they tried to make it appear to be one of a series of films, was it intentionally confusing i.e. you were supposed to have prior knowledge from the other non-existing films, like tuning into a TV show halfway through the season?

Yup, that's normal.

From the opening, the movie hits the ground running, and you're just supposed to hold on for the ride. Sure it has its faults, but it's definitely a cult classic reflective of its time period. And the eighties sure did pump out the cult classics.

If you're really into the movie, give the book a try. It may fill in some of your questions, but it's a good read, nonetheless.

But definitely give it another shot. They don't make 'em like this anymore.

-----
Robert. Dude. Great party but... where are all your friends of color?

[–] dijomaja 17 years ago

I started to watch this on VHS shortly after it came out and wasn't in the right frame of mind. Years later I gave it another shot and loved it, watched it again, bought the disc and then the book. I wouldn't say it "made sense" later; it's more likely that I was able to take the movie on its own terms (whatever those were). To call it "disjointed" implies that it once had "joints", places where things came together and I'm not sure that's the case. We get dropped into the middle of a much bigger story with none of the exposition we'd need to follow things. That's probably why a lot of people say that they enjoy this more on repeated viewings. It's not so much that we have more information; we've learned to relax and stop looking for it. Reading the book helps and the book is fun on its own terms.

Some of this may have been intentional. There are references to Pynchon's 'The Crying Of Lot 49' which is also a bit hard to follow. Still, I'm betting that some of this had to do with the fact that, in some ways, the Eighties were like the Sixties but with shorter hair and different color schemes.

[–] bitch-22 17 years ago

Yeah that's normal. But give it a chance, it grows on you.

It's full of so many amazing little bits, I notice something new everytime I watch it.

"Rock is dead! Long live Paper and Scissors!

[–] Crurned 17 years ago

I watched it as an adult, in the 2000's, I loved it from the beginning.

I came from the end of a bag, but no bag went over me.

[–] dangus 16 years ago

No, it means your brain is defective. Please obtain an RMA number and return your brain for recalibration. A loaner brain will be provided to maintain bodily functions.

[–] king_of_bob 16 years ago

As silly as the movie is, it's actually very dense sci-fi(in the best sense of the term). The dialog is VERY important to understanding what's going on. Especially the press conference scene.

Prof. Farnsworth: Oh. A lesson in not changing history from Mr. I'm-My-Own-Grandpa!

[–] artistathome 16 years ago

I first saw this in my late 30s after it came to video. I loved it.

They told me at video store that it had been shown every Friday night at the dollar theatre for like over a year. And all the kids were going to see it every Friday night and then to school spouting lines from the movie and driving their teachers AND parents bonkers.

So they banned it from that theatre.

My daughter and I rented and watched it twice the first time. and started yelling lines at each other day and night. Especially "Laugha while-a you can Monkey-Boy." And "President's calling, Buckaroo. President of what?"

Oh how I love that movie. And loved Peter Weller and everyone else in it. So many of them have gone on to be very famous.

I thought the president in traction was just so priceless. and Mrs. Johnson? Was that an inside joke? What was her first name for crying out loud?

I "got" it from the first scene. I think it takes a wacky brain to like it. I Like the Coen brothers too, and a lot of people don't get them either.

[–] jgroub 16 years ago

Completely normal. It's pretty incomprehensible the first time through. After watching the first time, you have an idea of what's going on, so going back the second time, it'll make more sense to you.

And thus, the cult classic.

I asked the doctor to take your picture so I can look at you from inside as well.

[–] leslie_f_ 14 years ago

Chiming in a year after the last post and over 2 years beyong the original post.

But I totally agree. The first time you see it is a sort of WTF?

But after the tenth viewing, it makes more sense.

See the "newest" DVD that is the directors cut with the missing footage. Makes much more sense.

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"Just this once, Rose..."