Cherry 2000 [1987]

September 4, 2020

Just when you think you have seen all the good B science fiction movies from the eighties, Cherry 2000 pops up! It’s no wonder that it’s seeing a revival of all things related thirty years later. A trend that’s going to continue, I’m sure. Starring Melanie Griffith, who was still a relatively unknown actress reaching fame next year with the release of Working Girl, the entire movie was actually shot two years earlier. Opposite of young Melanie is David Andrews who also broke out a couple of years after this movie with Graveyard Shift.

Cheesy, sleazy and cute all at the same time, Cherry 2000 is a strange take on the post-apocalyptic society. It has some definite Mad Max influences, which was an inevitable conclusion after all those rip-off movies produced during the eighties. It also explores sexuality along with android-human relationships, with a definite Blade Runner vibe. The opening scene looks eerily like Blade Runner 2049, released in 2017. There are so many weird scenes, concepts and characters that you will feel overwhelmed. People are driving cars, riding horses, using futuristic technology and living completely in the past in this strange world. And don’t get me started on the fashion. You will see every possible combination of color, fabric and style like you’re in some fashion nightmare.

It is the year of our Lord Satan 2017 and the world as we knew it is gone. Post-apocalyptic wasteland is sparsely populated with most of the humanity sticking to cities. In one of those cities, we find Sam Treadwell who’s android girlfriend mark Cherry 2000 just broke. Unable to fix her, he decides to venture out of his comfort zone and try to locate one in the wastelands. There seems to be some left in the derelict factory located in Zone 7. The only problem is that the zone is incredibly dangerous and he will need some help…

There are a lot of familiar faces in supporting roles. We can see young Laurence Fishburne, old Ben Johnson and eternally the same Brion James best known for his roles in Blade Runner and The Fifth Element. Very casual and effortless, you can play this movie, relax and prepare to get transported to a different time. Cherry 2K is an entertaining adventure movie in its heart. It has so many elements running in the background that it’s a true miracle they work together so well.

The locations our duo visits look futuristic and authentic, making the most of the $10 million budget. The same goes for the sets and we got quite a few of them. Using only practical effects, they achieved that sturdy look to the stunts, not destroying them with cheap CGI. Cheap CGI that looks totally unrealistic, if I might add. Despite all the sexuality, violence and murder, Cherry 2000 is still somehow innocent and cute. Very underrated, this one flew under the radar for a lot of science fiction fans, so it’s time to remedy that. Finally, if you’re looking to continue your adventures in the B science fiction movies from the eighties here are a couple of recommendations: Spacehunter, Hardware, Cyborg, Hell Comes to Frogtown.