Right now many SF professionals are speaking out and there is growing agreement that the film is a bold new cinematic work that joins other classic films of the genre like Bladerunner and 2001: A Space Odyssey, which gained popularity among the lovers of the genre and went on to become screen classics. They seek to capture the imagination of the viewing audience and are often referred to as films “ahead of their time,” “avant garde,” etc., because by taking new approaches to the film making process and developing innovative ways to convey never before seen images and story ideas, they set trends.

Those who know science fiction immediately recognized and appreciated the unique vision and originality of the Battlefield Earth movie. Following is a sampling of the reviews and comments from SF experts and professionals which we have received at battlefieldearth.com.

Larry Niven – New York Times bestselling SF author.

Bob Eggleton – multiple Hugo Award winning SF illustrator.

Dr. John Flynn – author of books and articles on SF and SF films.

Brad Linaweaver – SF author and Nebula Award nominee.

Stephen Whaley – teacher of science fiction at California State Polytechnic University at Pomona.

Eric Sherman – filmmaker, author of Making the Film; SF movie fan.

Barry Hunter – editor of Baryon magazine.

Check back for further updates.

REVIEWS & COMMENTS

I went to the Battlefield Earth movie expecting to have fun and I did!
  - Larry Niven – New York Times  bestselling SF author.

A Science Fiction Visual Outing
Based on the 1982 novel by L. Ron Hubbard, Battlefield Earth, the movie is quite simply, a fun romp. It takes place one thousand years from now, which is how long ago the Psychlos, a race of giants from a distant world have come and annexed our Earth for its natural resources. The humans of the year 3000 don’t even know who the Psychlos are and refer to them as "the gods" when they catch a glimpse of their evil looking flying ships. In fact, so much time has gone by that humans are veritable cave dwellers who view the ruins of their ancient cities as forbidden places to go. In one rather funny scene Jonnie Goodboy Tyler (Barry Pepper) and two other humans are prowling through a rotting shopping mall; when someone sees some store mannequins, he shouts "see what the gods did to others who came here?"

John Travolta gives a scenery-chewing performance as Terl, one of the more business-is-business Psychlos who has eleven fingers and great hair, and who ultimately is so good at his job on Earth, that an elder Psychlo decides he can stay there for "not five…but fifty cycles!" of service, to which a cabin-fevered, outraged Terl sets in motion his own ambitions of getting some gold for himself and leveraging his way off of Earth.

The visual designs by Patrick Tatopolous are outstanding. He has imagined an entire Psychlo culture. It’s dank, gritty and mean. The visual effects are also nice, a blend of live action into digital matte work and a stunning view of the planet Psychlo, all purple and swathed in purple haze and gas strands. The little alien Clinko (another race overrun by the Psychlos) was a story waiting to be told, who was part of the learning machine process that Jonnie is subjected to, as he finally finds out the truth of these "gods", and the truth about his own world, Earth.

What I liked was the fact the Psychlos, the "elder" gods, had their own personalities and faults to match the humans which made for an interesting interaction. Where have we seen these before? No, not Planet of the Apes as some critics have suggested; neither are they "wanna-be-Klingons" as others have said. They are total pastiches on current Earth corporate executives, all ultimately looking out for their own backsides and in the process, serving to their own destruction with their double dealing.

If Battlefield Earth seems like half a story, well, it is. It’s only the first half of the book. And sure, Travolta plays things a bit over the top, but then, Terl was suppose to be theatrical, and Hubbard was indeed one of the elders in pulp fiction (no pun intended) so how else would it work? And okay, cave dwellers figure out Harrier Jump Jets and how to fly them in seven days. Crop pilots were given a couple of hours to learn the finer points of F-15s in Independence Day. It’s a movie! Things like that happen! Definitely a science fictional visual outing that is worth a good look.

  - Bob Eggleton – multiple Hugo Award winning SF illustrator.

BATTLEFIELD EARTH IS A MUST SEE
Battlefield Earth, based on the best-selling novel by L. Ron Hubbard, is a rousing, action-packed, sci-fi adventure which evokes the best of Star Wars, Braveheart, and Independence Day. Roger Christian's direction is first-rate; the production design is incredibly detailed, and makes you believe that this is the war-torn world of 3000 A.D. The eye-popping special effects are an integral part of the film, and not just some showcase. The storyline is thoughtful, inspired, and ironically amusing, and the acting is top-notch. This film is the reason why science fiction movies are always best-received out of the summer's blockbusters, and just a heck-of-a-lot of fun.

Fun is the key word here – for this film is a great deal of fun.

I laughed and cheered and cried and clapped, and enjoyed every moment and every aspect of the production from beginning to end. It is one of the best science fiction films to come along in the last few years. Part of the reason for that is the fact that it is a literate film, based upon a literate novel. Most good SF films can trace their origins to good books – like Contact, Logan's Run, Planet of the Apes, and 2001. Battlefield Earth is not merely a retread of pop-culture icons. (I'm so tired of seeing Alien retreads or Blade Runner retreads or Star Wars retreads!!). The production also shows a love for the genre of science fiction, and not the cynicism that was shown with Armageddon. It is clear from the movie that the people who made Battlefield Earth wanted to make a fun movie that was thoughtful and inspiring for fans of the science fiction genre.

The artistry behind Battlefield Earth is most apparent as well, from the very first scenes through the last reel of the film. I have already mentioned the film's wonderful production design, but beyond the matte paintings and large-scale sets, there's a true artistry to how the motion picture was composed. The director of photography and lighting technicians create a wonderful metaphor using simple light and darkness in the composition of scenes.

For example, when we first meet Jonnie, the primitive protagonist, his scenes are filmed with the warmth of sunlight glinting off rugged mountains and green pastures. Later, when he allies himself with other primitives, the scenes are again in bright light, showing in a metaphorical sense how important and essential it is to band together against the hostile aliens. Even the gold in Fort Knox glows with a very warm light. Those scenes are contrasted against darker ones which show the Psychlo homeworld and the dome-city that they have made out of old Denver. The scenes are very dark, filmed with cold blue and dark green textures...you can almost feel the claustrophobia, death, and destruction in those sequences.

The Psychlos are dark, dastardly aliens who have enslaved humanity and are strip-mining the planet, and what better way to portray this agenda than with the play of shadow and light. Similarly, the dissolves between scenes are handled with an artistry that I haven't seen in motion pictures in years; in fact, I can't recall the use of such dissolves unless I go all the way back to the original 1977 Star Wars, and the editors on that film won an Academy Award for their work. In Battlefield Earth, the dissolves move each scene forward like pages turning in a novel...and this artistic texture reinforces its literary heritage.

Finally, but not lastly, the music is rousing and triumphant, and stitches each sequence of the film together with an artistry of its own. Today, most films opt for a collage of popular hits; few present music of such a high caliber which recalls the best of John Williams or Hans Zimmer or John Barry. After the first viewing, most movie-goers tend to remember great special efforts or large action-adventure sequences in a film, and miss the subtle artistry behind a motion picture; however, repeated viewings often show a great deal more.

Battlefield Earth is the kind of motion picture achievement that holds up to multiple viewings.

John Travolta gives one of his best performances in recent years as the wicked alien Terl with the all-to-human vices. Several years ago, the great action-adventure hero Arnold Schwarzenegger took a chance by playing a villainous robot in James Cameron's The Terminator, and became an even bigger star by playing against his heroic archetype. Travolta wisely chose the same path, and plays against his golden-boy image (forget Tony Manero here) to play one of the screen's great villains, with equal parts of Shakespeare's Iago and George Lucas's Darth Vader. I had always respected Travolta's body of work as an actor, but could not count myself as a true fan until now; his turn as the chief baddie in Battlefield Earth is wonderfully wicked and delicious. Forrest Whitaker also turns in a fine performance as his lieutenant, and I just loved Kelly Preston's cameo as the long-tongued alien. Barry Pepper is just superb as the primitive human Jonnie who leads the other primitives in a battle against the Psychlos. He is not just another action-adventure hero in the Bruce Willis and Sly Stallone mold, but an actor who shows that he is thinking and feeling his way through impossible and improbable situations. You actually think that he is thinking behind his cool exterior, and that's what makes him most believable for movie-goers. He was sensational as the sharpshooter in Saving Private Ryan, and shows that he's going to be a big star with his lead role here.

I have a minor quibble with the movie and from what I have read of other critics this criticism is a familiar one. In the film, the primitive humans learn to fly Harrier Jump Jets in less than a week's time. I called a friend of mine in the Air Force, and he told me that was likely impossible; the primitive humans might be able to get the planes airborne, and might even be able to fire the plane's sophisticated weapons, but its highly unlikely they would be able to maneuver and land "worth a damn."

Okay, so this is something that we are supposed to take on faith–a cinematic verisimilitude. After all, the humans in Independence Day learn how to fly sophisticated aircraft is less than a day, and that misstep didn't keep the movie from becoming a huge blockbuster. So, why not simply accept one more suspension of disbelief?

For months, I have been listening to critics deride this film simply because of Hubbard and Travolta and their connection to Scientology, and after seeing the film, I must conclude that they are all wrong. Deriding this film because of its connections to Scientology is like deriding a Barry Levinson film because of his ethnic background and his ethnic storylines and characters. The film Battlefield Earth should be taken on its merits or criticized for its shortcomings alone, quite separate and apart from this issue.

On the whole, I would rate this film very highly–a must see!

 – Dr. John L. Flynn – Professor at Towson University, Towson, Maryland who teaches classes on SF literature and an author of books and articles on SF and SF films.

SCIENCE FICTION ON AN EPIC SCALE
Anyone who ever read John Campbell's Astounding or Analog magazines, or admired a painting by Frank Kelly Freas will recognize what has been accomplished in the film version of Battlefield Earth. This is real science fiction on an epic scale. The heroes have to use their brains. The villains take too much for granted.

Look, H.G. Wells was a Socialist. But you don't have to be a Socialist to enjoy The War of the Worlds! C.S. Lewis was a Christian. But you don't have to be a Christian to enjoy the Narnia books!

The point should be obvious. L. Ron Hubbard was a great science fiction writer. Battlefield Earth is one of his best stories. Roger Christian has made a fine film and if there are any hidden messages, it is that kids should read books.

John Travolta plays the most sarcastic villain in the history of motion pictures. That alone would justify seeing the film but there is much more. Barry Pepper, Kim Coates, Christian Tessier and the rest of the freedom fighters make you believe that the human race will never be defeated. On the other side, Forest Whitaker provides a superb foil for Travolta's character. Between the two of them we experience the satanic side of bureaucracy.

When I saw this film at its Hollywood premiere, I paid close attention to the kids in the audience. They don't have any agendas. They just want to have a good time. They could tell the good guys from the bad guys. They loved the action and explosions and here's the most important part: they didn't run to the concession stand during the dialog scenes.

I'd like to see someone try and convince them that they didn't really enjoy the movie.

  - Brad Linaweaver – SF author and Nebula Award nominee

BATTLEFIELD EARTH: THE MOVIE—IT’S A ROUSING GOOD TIME
If you're a science fiction or an action/adventure fan, be sure to see Battlefield Earth, the film version of L. Ron Hubbard's classic science fiction novel–it's a rousing good time. The year is 3000, and the Psychlos have conquered Earth to mine its natural resources.

Even though John Travolta felt he was too old to play the young hero, Jonnie Tyler, he outdoes the evil Darth Vader as Terl, the sadistic Psychlo security chief. Hunting and caging the few man-animals left, is Travolta's daily pleasure. His make-up and his humorous sarcastic manner will make your skin crawl. Barry Pepper is Jonnie Tyler, the scrawny human, who refuses to be Terl's obedient slave, and rallies the remaining humans in a desperate attempt to regain their freedom. Forest Whitaker is Travolta's devious assistant Ker. The Psychlo's seem to enjoy cheating and abusing each other almost as much as they enjoy killing the humans.

The action is non-stop. Of course, Tyler and a small group must find the Psychlo's weaknesses, and a way to exploit them in order to win the day. No doubt Battlefield Earth will not please the professional critics, but what science fiction film has? If you look up the original reviews of major sci-fi movies, such as Clark's 2001: A Space Odyssey, you'll find the same thoughtless comments. And, many denounced The Matrix and The Mummy, as well.

Have no fear, Battlefield Earth is fun. It portrays the best of the human spirit, and our need to be free. I guarantee you'll leave the theater with a smile on your face. Whether you consider yourself a Psychlo or a rat-brain human, go see it. You'll be glad you did.

  - Stephen Whaley – teacher of science fiction at California State Polytechnic University at Pomona.

DESTINED TO BE A CLASSIC OF THE GENRE
As a film industry professional and a life-long fan of sci-fi films, I anxiously awaited the release of the movie Battlefield Earth, based on the novel by L. Ron Hubbard (one of the best "futuristic" books ever). I knew it would be a huge task to adapt this work to film, because it’s a huge far-reaching piece of writing.

The makers of the film have followed a certain path through the story which gave me: immense visual excitement (the explosion of the evil planet is remarkable), tremendous acting (check out John Travolta’s take on a true villain – filled with charm and seductive appeal while at the same time being totally threatening; see Barry Pepper’s depiction of an action-oriented hero; see Forest Whitaker’s portrayal of an underling who finally rises up in protest over his boss’ mistreatment); thematic importance (an individual actually can take matters into his own hands and make them right).

Battlefield Earth also has a wonderful balance of humor, adventure, action and jeopardy which kept me rapt and at the edge of my seat the whole time.

A most refreshing look at the future! Destined to be a classic of the genre.

  - Eric Sherman – filmmaker, author of Making the Film and SF movie fan.

BATTLEFIELD EARTH: THE MOVIE A SAGA OF THE YEAR 3000
It is the year 3000, and man has become an endangered species, living in bands wherever there is food available to help them survive. The cities are destroyed and the leaders teach the folk that the "gods have left them". In actuality, the Psychlos have defeated mankind and are using what survivors they find to help them strip the world of ores and minerals for the company.

Terl, played by John Travolta, is the Psychlo’s head of security and is not allowed to return home, due to an earlier indiscretion, and seeks to teach the "ratbrain humans" to dig up a vein of gold in order to buy his way home. He picks Jonnie Goodboy Tyler, played by Barry Pepper, to learn the Psychlo language and other things in order to gain his goal.

The scenery is barren and the outlook of mankind is bleak. But the will of one man seeking freedom is enough to set the fight for freedom into motion. One may think of The Postman or Independence Day while watching this film, but you have to remember that this was originally written in 1982 so it makes you wonder where they got their ideas.

A well done picture that moves quickly with a good bit of action, treachery and some humorous moments that should make this a crowd pleaser. It’s a picture that might make you think for a while, and that’s always a good thing.

  - Barry Hunter – Editor of Baryon magazine.