Star Raiders: The Adventures of Saber Raine

I have to give this movie one star, even though some of the acting and effects aren't terrible. It's just that I don't understand why anyone would make a film that looks like another Star Wars rip off from the 1980s in 2017. There's absolutely nothing original in the plot, the sets, the make up, the acting, the dialogue, etc. Etc. Etc. We've all seen it dozens if not hundreds of times since 1977. There's nothing here for anyone as far as I could see. The only reason I watched it was it was being treated by RiffTrax.

I'm not sure why I expected anything different. The opening moments of the film, showing exterior shots of vessels and a battle, suggest computer-generated imagery of quality hovering somewhere between modern first-tier videogames and second-tier genre pictures - unremarkable, but fine, though the sheer abundance of the CGI is unfortunate. Shortly after we see computer-generated interiors, and visual effects, and they are an eyesore. Set design and decoration at large, and costume design, range from spartan, to questionable, to suitable - or, in some rare instances, all the way to enticing. Hair and makeup work follows a like pattern, though the more ambitious that the creature design for an alien race aims to be, the more dubious it looks in realization. The plot is fairly straightforward, bland, and common genre fare, while dialogue is too often downright tiresome and overblown. Characters fulfill certain archetypes and don't necessarily possess much of a spark otherwise - the protagonist is effectively a more heroic Han Solo, and the divisions between two chief figures frankly reflect antiquated sexist tropes. Scene writing is perhaps mostly best described as serviceable.

'Star raiders: The adventures of Saber Raine' is nothing if not low-grade entertainment, and no one who chances upon it even from a distance could ever confuse it as anything else. In fairness, however, there is also no intent here except to be a fun sci-fi romp, a saga in the spirit of but a few steps down from 'Star Wars' - only, just how much fun it actually provides, to those involved or to viewers, is up for debate. It's difficult to tell just what is shaping the acting here: it could be the proliferate CGI backgrounds, green screen creations that hinder honest reactions; somewhat indulgent and surely uncomfortable prosthetics, forcing the players to chew scenery to compensate; the restraining guiding hand of Mark Steven Grove's direction, prioritizing conveyance of the narrative and execution of each scene over their impact; a genuine lack of skill, making convincing performances the exception rather than the rule; or maybe a combination of all these factors. I don't think the acting is bad across the board; I detect glimmers of meaningful sincerity and effort in the contributions of some, and especial weakness in those of others. Yet the overall effect is undeniable.

It rather seems to me that the screenplay was rushed. There are actually some good ideas here, and beyond that, some scenes are actually done very well, on paper and on film. Yet in addition to being unexceptional, the fundamental storytelling feels loose, and unbothered. Nothing was going to change the core nature of 'Star raiders,' but if the writing were tightened and approached with more care to even a small extent, the picture would have greatly benefited. As it stands, there are no surprises, and only passing enjoyment. There are a lot worse movies out there one could suffer through - I've seen too many of them - and there's just enough value here to make it a mild good time for a lazy afternoon. Still, I can't particularly begrudge anyone who thinks more poorly of this, and I wonder if I'm not being too generous as it is. Recommendable mostly for fans of the cast, or diehard sci-fi buffs, 'The adventures of Saber Raine' is okay - but keep your expectations in check.

I did not expect much when I started watching this one and it did not fail to deliver the not much. A film obviously trying to capitalize on the success of the more recent Star Wars films, but you know, with a lower budget so we get 75% of the movie set on a planet that looks a lot like some woods on Earth and not remotely resembling an alien world. We also get Casper Van Dien in the lead so not much else to say other than it is not very good and for a movie called Star Raiders it is very unclear who the star raiders are as no one raids a single star!

The story, well, Casper is Saber Raine and he stops people killing an alien at the beginning of the film and it is eye rolling the whole story with that so lets continue with the real story of a brother and sister kidnapped! They are being held captive by a Darth Vader like enemy who shows he has the ability to choke the two siblings and really does nothing sinister beyond that and does not even participate in any of the final action scenes. Well this trio of heroes lands on a planet and enlists Saber Raine's help, but they do not really need it too much as they are already on the planet that the siblings are on, how convenient and it saves on budget!

The film tries to do an interesting twist, but it is not all that interesting, because, you know...the movie isn't very good. The weapons frequently hit people and do nothing to them. I kept expecting fat dude with half sunglasses to die as he gets hit dead on three or four time, but doesn't faze him a bit! The villain is still trucking and he lost the top part of his head so maybe their race is just really tough?

The film is just not good and at the end you can tell they clearly expect to have a sequel as there is not too much that gets wrapped up at the end. Not sure if they are going to make this sequel or not, from what I see here at IMDB no sequel has yet materialized. With films like these though, i always wonder how they get made in the first place. I know people do go fund mes, but I just cannot see people donating to have crappy movies made, but not to people who actually need help.

Somehow I doubt that Casper Van Dien will be doing a sequel of his Saber Raine character. Then again look at how many Sharknado movies were made.

Van Dien's character is an intergalactic gun for hire. At one time a decorated war hero on earth he's an exile now, willing to sell his ray gun and fighting skills to the highest bidder.

His mission here is to rescue a brother and sister heirs to a planetary throne. But things get complicated when it turns out that sister is in league with the" bad guys.

Casper must really miss those glory days of Starship Troopers. This film doesn't come close in any category you care to name.

If you like cheesy sci-fi than this is your movie.

The idea for 'Galaxy Raiders' was sort of interesting, despite sounding like a very silly and derivative one at the same time. Likewise with the cover. Also enjoy sci-fi/adventure films out there, a few of them low-budget oddly enough.

Despite the interest, expectations were not high before watching 'Galaxy Raiders'. It turned out to be pretty much what was thought it would be, except even worse. Knew 'Galaxy Raiders' would be a silly film not to be taken seriously and not a grand, lavish in scale film, not having the budget for one, but was hoping it would overcome any limitations. It doesn't do that and the amateurish execution of every component made it unwatchable.

Visually, 'Galaxy Raiders' budget limitations show loud and clear, but it actually looked as though the production crew were not trying to overcome the limitations or make it look good. The sets and costumes look garish and cheap, it's chaotically photographed and even more sloppy to the point of incoherence editing. The effects are pathetic and look like they were an afterthought or made with only a tiny amount of money left. The modern technology doesn't really spice things up, the inclusion came over as random and pointless.

Music is perhaps the least bad asset of 'Galaxy Raiders' on its own, it tries to sound ok, though the placement of it is inappropriate and discordant a lot of the time and it fails to rouse or give atmosphere. Not that there is a whole lot in the first place, it all feels dull and muddled with very little character or coherence.

'Galaxy Raiders' writing is non-stop gibberish, unintentional humour and clumsiness. The references were not witty or clever, let alone inspired, they felt thrown in and very randomly and clumsily. Then there is the story, which is ridiculous, emotionally cold, all over the place in terms of focus and tone and dull. It's basically too many ideas thrust into the already over-crowded kitchen sink and there is not one scene where this feeling is shaken off. The more action-oriented scenes are far from exciting.

Characters are ones one is irritated by rather than connecting with them, nothing relatable or interesting about characters so sketchily developed and annoying. They are over-familiar archetypes and the conflict is so black and white it becomes predictable. The acting is a mess, some of 'Galaxy Raiders' on this front over-play, others are like emotionless robots. This is including, and actually especially, Casper Van Dien, the most well known name.

Overall, extremely poor. 1/10 Bethany Cox