"Enemy Mine" takes place in the future, when humankind no longer wages war among its own, but now does battle with an alien race called the Dracs. Dennis Quaid is Davidge, a fighter pilot who crashes on a remote planet while engaged in battle with a Drac (Louis Gossett, Jr.). The Drac has survived its own crash landing, and the two opponents are initially hostile and mistrustful towards one another. But they realize that they will have to rely on each other in order to continue surviving. Over time, they become friends.An unfortunate box-office flop in its time, this charming, likeable film can be seen as an 80s sci-fi update of the 1968 classic "Hell in the Pacific". Its themes come through loud and clear: we should at least try to appreciate each other, and celebrate our differences, and not be quick to make judgments. The story can be seen as a metaphor for any sort of bigotry, and the path to understanding. Ultimately, it can't help but become a little too precious; still, it's solidly entertaining as it manipulates the emotions and delivers the thrills.Quaid and Gossett play this superbly. Reunited two years after "Jaws 3-D", they share a great chemistry all the way down the line. They make their scenes alternately tense, touching, and also humorous. Yes, the film does have a light touch at times, especially when the Drac (whom Davidge nicknames "Jerry") is led to believe that Mickey Mouse is some great mind back on Earth!Wolfgang Petersen does a commendable job with the direction, as he follows up his smashing North American debut feature, "The NeverEnding Story". But the two gentlemen who really need to take a bow are production designer / art director / matte artist Rolf Zehetbauer and makeup effects creator Chris Walas. Zehetbauer creates an amazing look for this production; filmed both in German studios and on location in the Canary Islands, it actually looks like it's taking place on another planet. And Walas' reptilian-like makeup is most impressive.With soaring music by Maurice Jarre, a typically fun supporting performance by notable screen heavy Brion James, two cool creature species (one predator, one prey), and excellent widescreen photography, this makes for quite an engaging show. At least it did manage to find an audience later on video.Seven out of 10.

Enemy Mine is an unforgettable tale about two enemies (Human and Drax) that are forced to get along with each other in order for both to survive the harsh environment of the planet Fyrine IV. As the film progresses, they find themselves becoming friends then (as the film poster reads) 'brothers' in the end. This movie really is a pure science fiction classic.If you like this movie you might like other classic sci-fi films such as: 'Dune', 'The Last Starfighter', 'Starman' or "Close Encounters of the Third Kind'.I have to say that Enemy Mine is a underrated film that is an enjoyable sci-fi drama.9/10

This 1985 sci-fi film combines the plot of Robinson Crusoe with TV's Odd Couple and the Star Trek episode "Arena"( #19). The story takes place during the late 21st century when there's an interstellar war between humans and Dracs (reptilian humanoids). After a space dogfight, a human (Dennis Quaid) and a Drac (Louis Gossett Jr.) crashland on a barren alien planet. Quaid's intentions are originally hostile toward the reptile man but a friendship slowly develops as they work together to survive.I read some good reviews about this film, some even giving it a stellar 5-Star rating, so I thought I'd better check it out. Well, I was quite a bit let down. Don't get me wrong, it's an okay sci-fi film and the message is a good one, but it's certainly not a 5-Star classic (or even 4-Star).What piqued my interest was that it was described as a "character study" more so than a juvenile space dogfight flick. Yeah, there's a little character study but it's nothing deep. You'd do better to watch practically any of the original Star Trek episodes as far as that goes. Take for instance the episode "Arena" (which the movie heavily borrows from) where Capt. Kirk is stuck on a deserted planet with a reptilian alien called a Gorn. Kirk doesn't develop a friendship with the Gorn but he does refuse to kill him at the end, which opens the door for warmer relations down the road. This episode is better than "Enemy Mine" on practically every level with the exception of F/X, which are a bit better in the film, comparable to the F/X in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan and Star Trek III: The Search for Spock.The so-called character study in "Enemy Mine" is on the level of TV's Odd Couple, with Quaid in the Oscar role and Gossett in the Felix role. Too cute.In addition, there are numerous awkward moments in the filmmaking, plus a character dies prematurely (so much for the character study) and then there's a cringe-inducing pregnancy/birth sequence, believe it or not.They try to beef-up the sci-fi at the end but it fails to create much suspense. The story simply isn't very captivating.BOTTOM LINE: This is an okay mid-80s sci-fi flick, nothing more. It's too derivative, too light, too awkward, too saccharine and not very compelling. The message of the film is good but that itself can't turn something mediocre into something good or great.Most fans of this film are likely people who originally saw it as kids and now view it with nostalgia-tinged glasses.GRADE: C- or D+

Enemy Mine is one of those many cheesy sci-fi films from the 1980's, but it still is a fun film to watch. The special effects do not hold up that well compared to today but the alien makeup is actually really good. One thing that annoyed me the most is the annoying trilling of the alien. I just wish he would speak normally without that trilling.This film is about two mortal enemies who are at war with each other but they both crash-land on a planet and there they must realize in order to survive, they must rely on each other and become friends.The two main leads by Dennis Quaid and Louis Gosset Jr hold their own in this movie. I really like Quaid's character since be brought substance into his character.Overall, this is a good sci-fi film with a good message hidden deep within. This follows Close Encounters as one of those good films with good meanings on alien communication. I rate this film 8/10.