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Movies / Upcoming / Starman
Starman

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Starman (1984)

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Reviews Counted:23

Fresh:18

Rotten:5

Average Rating:6.5/10

Consensus: What initially begins as sci-fi transforms into a surprisingly sweet, offbeat drama, courtesy of John Carpenter's careful direction.

Runtime: 1 hr 55 mins

Genre: Science-Fiction/Fantasy

US Box Office: $0

Synopsis: A departure for director John Carpenter, STARMAN is a gentle, simple film that won accolades from critics and applause from audiences. Jeff Bridges plays the title character, an alien that has come... A departure for director John Carpenter, STARMAN is a gentle, simple film that won accolades from critics and applause from audiences. Jeff Bridges plays the title character, an alien that has come down to Earth on a peaceful scouting mission. When he takes the form of a recently widowed woman's dead husband he unintentionally involves her in his mission. The alien only has a few days to reach a rendezvous point where he will be picked up by his mothership. Along the way he must discover what he can about human beings and our civilization. He finds out plenty very quickly, as his relationship with the young widow grows very strong as they make their way to the rendezvous point. Meanwhile, the FBI is in hot pursuit after it discovers the discarded landing vehicle, and the alien's own health is deteriorating in Earth's foreign atmosphere. The story tells of the struggle for communication, the pain of letting go, and the search for understanding. Jeff Bridges gives an unforgettable performance as the gentle alien trying his best to cope with being a human. With STARMAN, Carpenter proves he is a master storyteller, not just of horror and science fiction, but of subtle, emotional drama as well. [More]

Starring: Jeff Bridges, Karen Allen, Charles Martin Smith, Richard Jaeckel

Starring: Jeff Bridges, Karen Allen, Charles Martin Smith, Richard Jaeckel, Robert Phalen, Tony Edwards, John Walter Davis, Ted White, Dirk Blocker, M.C. Gainey, Sean Faro, George Flower, Russ Benning, Ralph Cosham, David Wells, Anthony Grumbach, James Deeth, Alex Daniels, Carol Rosenthal, Mickey Jones, Lu Leonard, Charles Hughes, Byron Walls, Betty Bunch, Victor McLemore, Steven Brennan, Pat Lee, Judith Kim, Ronald Colby, Robert Stein, Kenny Call

Director: John Carpenter, Bruce A. Evans

Director: John Carpenter
Producer: Larry J. Franco
Director: Bruce A. Evans
Screenwriter: Raynold Gideon
Composer: Jack Nitzsche

[See More Credits]

Reviews for Starman

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1 - 20 (sorted by date; Australian critics are listed first)
Bubble View | 1 2 >> >|
Arrange By:Fresh | Rotten | Comments | Name | Source | Date
 
 
Reviews
Tomatometer Critic Review Category
splat
5/10

James Plath

Bridges' portrayal of Starman can be as hard to take as the lapses in logic.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Jul., 29 2009 08:41 AM

DVDTown.com

splat

Variety Staff

There is little that is original in Starman, but at least it has chosen good models.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Jun., 06 2007 10:23 AM

Variety

tomato

An enjoyable film filled with the kind of sensitivity, love, and humor seldom seen on today's screens.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Jun., 06 2007 10:22 AM

TV Guide's Movie Guide

splat

Dave Kehr

It isn't pleasant to watch a talented filmmaker like John Carpenter willfully distort his personality to fit a commercial (read Spielbergian) profile, and only the opening suspense-horror sequences have the weight of real involvement.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Jun., 06 2007 10:22 AM

Chicago Reader

tomato
4/5

Michael Dequina

No review available.

comment Comment | Dec., 23 2006 04:59 PM

TheMovieReport.com

splat

Derek Adams

The best special effects are in the first five minutes. Thereafter, it's all rather predictable.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Jun., 24 2006 04:19 AM

Time Out

tomato
5/5

Susan Granger

No review available.

comment Comment | Oct., 21 2005 10:46 AM

www.susangranger.com

tomato
4/5

Chuck O'Leary

No review available.

comment Comment | Jul., 29 2005 02:40 AM

Fantastica Daily

tomato
3/5

Emanuel Levy

No review available.

comment Comment | Jul., 05 2005 10:46 PM

EmanuelLevy.Com

tomato
4/5

Steve Crum

Early Jeff Bridges starrer is fun sci-fi.

comment Comment | Oct., 30 2004 07:37 PM

Kansas City Kansan

tomato
3/4

Roger Ebert

Starman contains the potential to be a very silly movie, but the two actors have so much sympathy for their characters that the movie, advertised as space fiction, turns into one of 1984's more touching love stories.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Oct., 23 2004 10:31 PM

Chicago Sun-Times

tomato
3/5

Greg Maki

No review available.

comment Comment | Jan., 08 2004 09:21 PM

Star-Democrat (Easton, MD)

tomato
3/5

Brian J. Arthurs

No review available.

comment Comment | Dec., 18 2003 03:19 PM

Beach Reporter (Southern California)

tomato
4/5

Rebecca Murray

No review available.

comment Comment | Oct., 04 2003 03:10 PM

About.com

tomato
4/5

Carol Cling

No review available.

comment Comment | Aug., 22 2003 01:53 PM

Las Vegas Review-Journal

tomato
3/4

David Nusair

Carpenter is a master of framing for widescreen, and Starman is certainly a forum for him to show off his prowess behind the lens.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Aug., 01 2003 08:12 AM

Reel Film Reviews

tomato
3/5

Janet Maslin

In Mr. Bridges' hands [his role] becomes the occasion for a sweetly affecting characterization -- a fine showcase for the actor's blend of grace, precision and seemingly offhanded charm.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | May., 20 2003 05:15 PM

New York Times

splat
2/5

Rob Blackwelder

No review available.

comment Comment | Aug., 23 2002 04:26 AM

SPLICEDWire

tomato
4/5

Rob Vaux

As science fiction, it's decent enough, but it finds its real power as a weird, offbeat romance. Bridges has rarely been better.

comment Comment | Aug., 12 2002 05:33 PM

Flipside Movie Emporium

tomato

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat

Provides an opportunity for us to look afresh at ourselves and to ponder what it means to be children of the Universe.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Mar., 04 2002 05:00 AM

Spirituality and Practice

 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date; Australian critics are listed first)
Bubble View | 1 2 >> >|
all

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