Director Wolfgang Petersen was a brave man to tackle this sci-fi/adventure which daringly dabbles in human drama and conflict. Yet in a project which could have become completely farcical, he succeeds fairly admirably. While most films of this nature stick with high rolling action, thrills and spills, "Enemy Mine" crosses over to more serious matters and broaches such topics as our ignorance in hating our enemies and the separation of our sexes.
Barry Longyear's far fetched tale tells the story of Flight Commander Willis E. Davich, a human whose craft crash lands on a barren and seemingly uninhabited planet, and whose only company appears to be an arch enemy "Drak" which has also crashed in the same place. Davich determines to destroy his nemesis, but soon the two sworn rivals find themselves depending on each other for survival.
Dennis Quaid proves his versatility as the stranded Earth man who has had to learn to trust one he was raised to hate, and Louis Gosset Jnr., though completely unrecognisable, is quite convincing as "Jerry" the Drak.
Make-up, costumes, special effects (Industrial Light and Magic) and Art Direction are all eye-catching, but the main theme of the picture is always the two reluctant companions and their growing respect for one another.
Petersen's movie is never classic sci-fi, or classic anything I assure you, and there are one or two laughable scenes. It does however remain an acceptable entertainment thanks to its unusual focus and very different approach. Original score by Maurice Jarre.
Sunday, January 8, 1995 - Video
Barry Longyear's far fetched tale tells the story of Flight Commander Willis E. Davich, a human whose craft crash lands on a barren and seemingly uninhabited planet, and whose only company appears to be an arch enemy "Drak" which has also crashed in the same place. Davich determines to destroy his nemesis, but soon the two sworn rivals find themselves depending on each other for survival.
Dennis Quaid proves his versatility as the stranded Earth man who has had to learn to trust one he was raised to hate, and Louis Gosset Jnr., though completely unrecognisable, is quite convincing as "Jerry" the Drak.
Make-up, costumes, special effects (Industrial Light and Magic) and Art Direction are all eye-catching, but the main theme of the picture is always the two reluctant companions and their growing respect for one another.
Petersen's movie is never classic sci-fi, or classic anything I assure you, and there are one or two laughable scenes. It does however remain an acceptable entertainment thanks to its unusual focus and very different approach. Original score by Maurice Jarre.
Sunday, January 8, 1995 - Video