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When I was a young lad, I remember the first CDROM games hitting the shelves in the local game store. They were rammed full of huge amounts of data and gave birth to the first 'interactive' video games that let you involve yourself in real movie footage whilst still maintaining that important game playing element. One of these games stood head and shoulders above it's rivals when it came to size, cast and immersion, this game was 'Wing Commander 3'. Mark Hamill, Malcolm McDowell, John Rhys-Davies, even ex-porn star Ginger Lynn Allen raised her flaps for this space combat epic and despite the story line being a lot less flexible than one would have first imagined, it was still one hell of an entertaining way to waste a few hours.
5 years and a couple of video game sequels latter, a big screen conversion was scripted, cast and produced before anyone could ask why? The movie is a true homage to the popular 1994 game premise to the point that it tries to almost mimic its atmosphere and spirit, forgetting that it should be a piece of stand alone entertainment for those that either hated the game or have never played it. Instead it churns out a plot that is tediously shallow and all too predictable making the viewer wonder if they are about to be prompt to change the CDROM for the next disc so the game can continue.
Plot aside, the cast is a strange mix of great actors who play small roles and weaker actors playing main roles. Included in the latter are 'Scooby Doo' buddies Freddie Prinze Jr. and Matthew Lillard, the lovely but slightly cardboard Saffron Burrows and a host of other made for TV actors. The inclusion of some highly regarded acting talent such as David Suchet, David Warner and Tchéky Karyo makes for an often unbalanced screen presentation.
The mighty enemy of earth, and the reason for the film being set during a great war, are the cat like Kilrathi race who have made it their mission to destroy all humans, and why not. The only slight issue hear is the fact that they are rarely seen on screen and when they do appear, the costumes and make up look a little like a well tailored fancy dress outfit.
But whilst there is a lot about this film that placed it amongst the poorest space operas ever produced, it does have some nice touches including some very capable visual effects and...er.....Saffron Burrows!
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