Contact with alien races is one of the eternal SF themes, so not even the trash king John Carpenter resisted the temptation to tackle it. What separates ''Starman'' from the rest of the b-production it shares the timeline is one of the best acting in the history of SF cinema (Bridges), as well as some decent production, albeit nowadays out of date and slightly naive. On the other hand, the script just won't take the viewer anywhere specific, leaving the sense of unfinished business at the very end. ''Starman'' is a decent movie if you are a fan of the '80s movies, but not for much anybody else.

Whether you first saw it in 1984 or some 30 years later, you don't get quite what you expect from a film named "Starman" directed by horror and gritty sci-fi master John Carpenter. A love story wrapped up in alien visitor/on-the-run movie, "Starman" is quintessential '80s entertainment only it's so representative of its time that it struggles to stand out.The film images that in 1977, the Voyager 2 space probe transmitted a message inviting intelligent extra-terrestrial life to visit Earth. Years later a ship arrives with an alien but is shot down over Wisconsin, where it encounters the home of a young widow, Jenny Hayden (Karen Allen) and then takes the form of her late husband, Scott (Jeff Bridges). Once she gets over her fright, he tells her he must go to Arizona in three days time to go home or he'll die. She reluctantly hits the road with him and slowly over time they form a bond, all while trying to outrun the feds.Although Carpenter sprinkles in some impressive explosions, the entertainment value of "Starman" comes in the form of Bridges playing a "human" feeling his way through our world and the humor that results. Bruce A. Evans and Raynold Gideon's script has fun imagining how someone unfamiliar with our planet and American culture might go about figuring it out. Bridges absolutely sells the bit, losing any of his recognizable mannerisms in his peculiar character and never easing up. Even as the film progresses, he never loses that quirky edge and doesn't revert to normal. That level of commitment proves essential to the film's sincere (if not sappy) moments.As '80s movies go, however, the blissfully unaware visitor bit is awfully similar to a comedy that preceded it by nine months: Ron Howard's "Splash," which sees a mermaid trying to understand life in the big city. When you consider that the rest of the movie is an adult-oriented take on "E.T." (the friendly visitor who just wants to go home), it's hard to give "Starman" the credit for any particular original creative ideas.It wouldn't be an issue if the script didn't lean a bit on what it presumes to be fresh and exciting ideas. The burden of winning audiences over therefore shifts to the core story, which has some nice moments, but half-bakes a lot of its most promising elements. Allen gives us the wide range of emotions we expect from her character, but so many more moments of tension, drama and raw emotion were possible from this excellent conceit of a young widow beholding the image of her dead husband who is actually a curious, bright-eyed alien. The potential is so apparent yet so squandered.The moments when we see or think about our world and culture differently because of Starman's curiosity rank among the film's brightest spots. The character is constantly surprising us and that keeps the film interesting where the chase dynamic goes flat. You might expect plenty of tension from Carpenter, but the strengths of his work on the film fall in the column of character moments. He's particularly patient, giving scenes and performances space to breathe, trying often to pique our curiosity and create some wonder. He's no Spielberg in this regard, but he recognizes that he's dealing with a love story, not so much a science-fiction film. It's the sci-fi element that merely creates some original perspective, a new lens to tell a story about love and more specifically, kindness.That universally understood value at the center of this film could be deemed reason number one why "Starman" is a great remake candidate. The film scratches the surface of some deeply human stuff, so if treated more like the romantic drama it is, it could really speak to people. Some will argue that Carpenter's version does that, but I see a film trying to ride the wave of the alien visitor films before it that luckily redeems itself on Bridges' performance.~Steven CThanks for reading! Visit Movie Muse Reviews for more

The first time I saw this movie I was mesmerized in the first few minutes. Starman has a not so subtle message, that we are our own worst enemies...right from the start all the officials are trying to kill a visitor from the stars, except for one scientist who recognizes that the alien just might be here to learn about us.Jenny Hayden lost her husband recently, and when the Starman's spaceship is shot down while entering Earths atmosphere. He crashes rather near Jenny's home in the woods, and Starman explores Jenny's home. He's an energy being, so the filming is from his perspective. It was very well done...Anyway, Starman sees pictures of Jenny's husband, and "creates" a carbon copy of him. Jenny wakes up and the movie takes off from there...some will undoubtedly say the movie is rather slow, and indeed it is paced that way through much of their time together. What grabs onto you subtly is the awakening of a love that transcends the galaxy. The cinematography is excellent, the theme music outstanding, and the acting top notch...Yes, it will move slowly, but that is the real beauty of a really well done movie, from when movies were made well...

Yes! This is a marvelous movie about humanity - our fears, hopes, strengths and weaknesses. Jeff Bridges is amazing as the Starman - he really seems to be not of this earth. Karen Allen is lovely and so appealing as she overcomes her fear and proves that love is universal. Plus Charles Martin Smith - Terry the Toad (ugh!) in "American Graffiti" - really rocks it as a humanitarian scientist, one who realizes that we invited the Starman and owe him a little respect. Not exactly handsome, but he's grown so lovable since his early role as a clumsy nerd. Probably he played that unattractive part so convincingly because he's an intelligent and talented actor. I've seen the flick ten times or more but it never grows old. It always amazes me. The acting is convincing and the story is well told. Indeed it is a brilliant romance which warms and informs the heart.