Awakening

Awakening, the feature-length pilot episode of the TV series Buck Rogers in the 25th Century (which was released theatrically here in the UK), is an excellent exercise in camp sci-fi which opens with a brief explanation of Buck's predicament (a malfunction in his spacecraft causes him to be frozen in space for 500 years), and is followed by a gloriously tacky title sequence in which sees our hero canoodling with various space-babes on a giant fluorescent light in the shape of his name.

Following these amazingly bad opening credits (which are accompanied by the catchy theme song, 'Suspension'), we see Buck's craft intercepted by the Draconians (led by the slutty Princess Ardala, played by Pamela Hensley), who are on their way to Earth to sign a treaty that will see them granted limited access to Terran airspace, in exchange for help in the fight against space pirates, who have been attacking Earth's trade ships. In reality, however, the Draconians are planning to conquer Earth—their flagship being full to the brim with fighter craft armed to the teeth.

Buck is awakened, suspected of being an Earth spy, and sent on his way back 'home', little knowing that his craft has been fitted with a device that will send details back to the Draconians on how to beat Earth's defence shield .

On his approach to Earth, Buck is intercepted by uptight Colonel Wilma Deering (Erin 'hubba hubba' Gray), who escorts hims to New Chicago, where he is once again suspected of being a spy—this time for the pirates. Buck is found guilty and sentenced to death, but is given one last chance to clear his name: he must prove to Wilma Deering that his hunch about the Draconians being prepared for battle is true.

With a witty script, decent special effects, and a cast who have are obviously having fun with the material, Awakening is a terrific introduction to the series. Hensley is great as the sexy princess with a thing for 500 year old men, Erin Grey delights as frosty Wilma Deering (the horniest woman to ever fly a star-fighter), and Gil Gerard puts in a solid turn as the charming Captain Rogers, who has lost none of his ways with the ladies during his time frozen in space.

If you have a weakness for dated, cheesy TV trash. packed with innuendo and corny jokes, then watch Buck Rogers—it's perfect entertainment for those seeking some light-hearted sci-fi silliness.

In 1987, Capt. William "Buck" Rogers is sent to space by NASA in a five-month-assignment in a shuttle. However, there is a malfunction of the life support system and Buck Rogers is frozen. Five hundred years later, in 2491, the mothership Draconia finds his shuttle and tows it on board. Ruck Rogers is awakened without any physical or mental damage, and is introduced to Princess Ardala and his assistant, the Earthling Kane. They order to repair his shuttle, but plant a tracking device to find where is passage through the Earth defense system. Their secret agenda is to invade and conquer Earth that is protected by a shield. Buck Rodgers' shuttle is escorted by Colonel Wilma Deering and her pilots to Earth. Soon he learns what had happened to the destroyed planet and the robot Twiki is assigned to stay with him. But the Earth Defense Directorate believe Buck Rodgers is a pirate or spy and the Draconians are their allied, and Buck Rodgers tries to convince them the truth.

"Awekening" is the pilot of "Buck Rogers in the 25th Century"/ a 1979 series. It is a good episode even watching for the fist time in 2023, and has the same style of "Battlestar Galactica" from the late 70's, both on the trail of the successful "Star Wars" (1977). There are flaws in the screenplay, but the 2:00 hrs. Episode is engaging and funny. Erin Gray and Pamela Hensley are beautiful women and another attraction of this show. Looking forward to see the next episode. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "Awakening"

PLOT: In 1987 Captain William "Buck" Rogers (Gil Gerard) solo-pilots a space shuttle when a meteor storm freezes him into an orbit that returns him to Earth 500 years later. The shuttle is discovered in 2491 by the Draconian flagship under the command of Princess Ardala (Pamela Hensley) and her first officer, Kane (Henry Silva). They return Rogers to Earth where he meets Col. Wilma Deering (Erin Gray), Dr. Elias Huer (Tim O'Connor) and a curiously phallus-looking robot drone, Twiki (voiced by Mel Blanc), accompanied by the A.I. computer Dr. Theopolis (voiced by Howard F. Flynn). Buck learns that Earth suffered a planet-wide nuclear holocaust shortly after he launched into space, which has made Earth a wasteland, except for the impressively rebuilt New Chicago and some other cities. As Buck adjusts to the 25th century, he must convince the Terrans that the Draconians are scheming to conquer the planet.

COMMENTARY: Buck Rogers (the character) was originally conceived by Philip Francis Nowlan in 1928. This pilot double-episode (89 minutes) was originally released to theaters in March, 1979, as "Buck Rogers in the 25th Century" six months before it debuted on TV as the debut of the series, renamed "Awakening." In any case, the pilot (and series) is quite cartoony and the effects are downright lame compared to the awe-inspiring "Star Trek: The Motion Picture," which came out (at the end of) the same year. Not to mention the original Star Wars Trilogy that was popular at the time. Heck, for the most part, the F/X don't even hold up to The Original Series of Star Trek that ran from 1966-1969. No kidding.

This doesn't mean, however, that this pilot isn't entertaining. It is to a degree; just don't expect the maturity or quality of Star Trek (TOS). Star Trek is dramatic science-fiction whereas Star Wars is fantasy packaged as science-fiction, which is 'space fantasy.' "Awakening" (and the series in general) tries to walk the line between these two and ends up being inferior to both. But, again, this doesn't mean it's not entertaining in its comic booky way.

While the script for "Awakening" is okay at best (and most of the ensuing episodes as well), the main protagonists and most of the guest stars are outstanding. Gil Gerard in the titular role, for instance, is just as effective as William Shatner as Captain Kirk, maybe even more so, if that were possible. And then there's Erin Gray as Col. Deering, one of the hottest space babes in the history of film or television. Not to mention, Pamela Hensley has the requisite "looks that kill" as the oversexed antagonist, Ardala (although she doesn't personally trip my trigger; she's just not curvy enough). The rest of the series features a gazillion female guests who are often more beautiful than these two, especially the 1st season. So "Buck Rogers" scores well on the female front.

The movie is hard to rate because, on the one hand, the cheese-factor is so high with the comic book tone, flimsy sets, dubious special effects and banal storytelling, but the main protagonists and guest stars are outstanding and somehow pull off the material. It's amazing, but true. There's also something to be said for the nostalgic and innocent style of the pilot and series. Nevertheless, I can't in good conscience give "Awakening" (aka "Buck Rogers in the 20th Century") a higher rating.