Enemy Mine Details

Schmalzy

I remember liking this when I was a teenager. Returning to it now nearly 20 years later I found 30mins of buttock-clenchingly embarrassing cliches (I turned it off after that). American teaches alien to speak English simply by talking loudly; American builds meteorite proof shelter using discarded tortoise shells; American pontificates to alien that everything he says is right and everything the alien says is rubbish. The scary monster in the pit that nearly claims Dennis Quaid reminded me more of Michael Bentines Potty Time than off a rapacious extra-terrestrial carnivore. Even the special effects are more 1950s then 1980s, particularly Mr Quaids bum-fluff

facial hair.

This movie was a 'straight to video' raspberry in 1985, and today it's not even that good.

[Highly rated reviewer]

None too shabby.

While this is an endearing film, it fails to capture the true sentimentality and affection that Davidge and Jerry shared for eachother in it's first incarnation as the second part of the novel 'Manifest Destiny'.

If you want to see a classic, if allegorical, sci-fi film I would happily reccomend this. If you want to truly see the message that this film intends to put across I suggest that you read the book - as it is presented with greater care and subtelty - not to mention extremely well-written.