mfc@hp-pcd.UUCP (08/23/84)
Nf-From: hp-pcd!mfc Aug 23 10:16:00 1984
(Eat hot,lead death, capitalist line-eater!!)
Sheena, Queen of the Jungle
Upon having just returned from viewing this film, I decided that I
had to get my two cents in.
For starters, only a PG rating? I think the Ratings Commission must
be getting soft, as this is very inconsistant with other films I have re-
cently seen. While I grant you, there is virtually no profanity in this
film, and there is minimal violence, what violence exists, is, at times,
graphic (i.e. the tribesman spearing the merc through the throat). The
main reason the rating surprises me is the amount of gratuitous nudity
provided by Tanya Roberts. If you enjoyed her pictoral debute in 'Playboy',
this is the film for you!
Roberts is absolutely the only recognized name in the film's list of
credits. Not that a film requires well-knowns to succeed, but this film
demonstrates that a group of unknowns are certainly capable of making one
fail. The movie contains an over abundance of CCA (Classic Cardboard
Acting), no character development to speak of, mediocre cinimatography,
and a boring musical soundtrack (now available on records and tapes).
The african scenery is stunning but the director failed totally to make
any effective use of it to enhance the film.
In addition to its other faults, the film displays many noticable
gaps in technical credibility (now I ask you, could YOU drive a swiss
army knife blade through the side of a 50 gallon oil drum?). Add to
this a poorly handled collection of special effects (state of the art
for 20 years ago), and a sprinkling of cheap masked multiple exposures,
and it all adds up to a failed attempt at an entertaining evening.
All things considered, I have to give 'Sheena, Queen of the Jungle'
a thumbs down (as the foregoing indicates). If I hadn't seen the film
on economy night, I would have felt ripped off. And if the film hadn't
contained so much nudity on the part of Roberts (what can I say? She looks
GOOD!) even economy night would have been robbery.
Mark Cook
HP-PCD
Corvallis, OR