Lori Petty in Tank Girl (1995)

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Review

Tank Girl (1995) was released recently, finally, on DVD. TUA/MGM released it due to a huge petition drive by fans of the film. I suspect they were reluctant because the film was a critical and box office flop. Made for $25m, the world gross was $6.6m. Leonard Maltin and Roger Ebert agree at 2 stars, and Berardinelli says 2.5.

I bought a cheap used VHS copy years ago, and watched it without benefit of having read any reviews. I immediately fell in love with this film. I can't account for the critical and box office failures, other than the fact that the success of a high camp cult film is partially dependant on timing.

The DVD is bare bones, but the film is as enjoyable for me as ever. It uses animated interludes, special effects, series of still cuts, and about everything else you would expect from a comic book inspired film. It starts out high energy, and never pauses for breath. I will let Tank Girl provide the plot set-up in her own words.

"Listen up, 'cause I'm only telling you this once. I'm not bedtime story lady, so pay attention. It's 2033. The world is screwed now. You see, a while ago, this humungous comet came crashing into the earth. Bam! Total devastation. End of the world as we know it. No celebrities ... no cable TV ... no water. It hasn't rained in 11 years. Now 20 people gotta squeeze inside the same bathtub ... so it ain't all bad."

The film is about her battle to escape Water and Power, who are ruling the world by monopolizing the water, and to free her young friend. Water and Power tries to use her to trap and kill "The Rippers," who are mutated kangaroos. As you can tell from the above quote, Tank Girl, played by Lori Petty, definitely has attitude to spare.

Nudity Report: There is no actual exposure, but Petty shows cleavage throughout, and a lot of crotch in one image. If you are not opposed to this sort of cult camp, I give it very high marks.

Written by:Tuna ...courtesy of Scoopy.net