The Black Hole (1979)

 

Yes, this is also a Disney-film, even though you wouldn't think so at first glance. It is a little dark at times, which is something Disney did try to do but did not always manage to pull off. But in the wake of 'Star Wars', every studio of course wanted its sprawling science fiction epic. 

Oh, and this one has Vincent and Bob, two of the cutest robots ever. Heck, I've even got a miniature of Vincent displayed proudly on a cabinet. Vincent is my boy. 

If that sounded terribly hipster and weird: I know. Doesn't make it any less true though.

The crew of a research vessel called 'The Palomino' comes across a black hole. Even more peculiar is that they found the Cygnus, another vessel that was reported missing several years before. It's bizarre that it is still here, and even more astounding that it doesn't seem to be affected by the gravitational pull of the black hole. 

No, the science doesn't add up, but that's okay. Also: whoever wrote 'Event Horizon' borrowed heavily from this one. Change my mind.

Once on board, the crew discovers that there is no one there but various assortments of robots, including one mean looking mofo in red. Turns out that the project leader, dr Hans Reinhardt, is still alive and in control of the entire station and his bodyguard is called Maximilian. If there is one thing you will remember from this film, it is the ominous looking Maximilian. That is one scary robot right there. Reinhardt claims the crew left for Earth, but right from the start, our people find this suspect, except for Anthony Perkins, who is so smitten with Reinhardt he wants to join him on this insane mission of flying into the black hole and finding out where everything leads to. 

Things heat up as Reinhardt's madness permeates it all, and with the help of the loyal bots Vincent and Bob, the crew attempt to escape. Maximilian kills Perkins' character (seriously, it's tough remembering the names, because they are so forgettable) in a rather gruesome way. Sure, there is no blood to be seen, but the scene in itself is so violent for a Disney enterprise, it is surprising and will remains imprinted on your brain for years to come. 

The final shots borrow heavily from '2001: A Space Odyssey' and are a bit weird, but the shot of Reinhardt and Maximilian seemingly becoming one in hell is one heck of an image. Dang. 

As a film, this one is incredibly uneven and bizarre. Obviously, Vincent and Bob are meant to cater to the younger audience and they are lovable and their design is way too cutesy. But then you have the stuff with Maximilian and the crew who are actually the original crew of the Cygnus turned into almost mindless zombies, with a pretty scary reveal at one point. It's also funny to see Anthony Perkins being all doe-eyed towards Maximilian Schell (Reinhardt), but Schell is by far the most engaging actor in this film. Yvette Mimieux doesn't do much, Robert Forster is our heroic lead but comes across a little flat and Ernest Borgnine is just there, to be honest. 

And yet, there is something about this film that speaks to the sci-fi adept in all of us. The designs look cool (and yet again, the Cygnus was clearly an inspiration for 'Event Horizon'), the views into space and the whirling vortex of the black hole are gorgeous and despite not knowing whether to go for adventure or chills, this film stays engaging. Yes, there are plotholes and inconsistencies galore, but for some reason that doesn't really matter. 

Is it a good film? No, not really. But it always stays an interesting one and that is something that works in its favour. And Maximilian will haunt your dreams.