Ahh, the 80’s, Hollywood, in its infinite wisdom, decided that what the world really needed was is a musical about furry aliens crashing into some bubble-headed blonde’s swimming pool. Yes, you heard that right. “Earth Girls Are Easy” promises a cinematic experience so bizarre, so utterly devoid of common sense, that it just might be… something. We’re told it’s a comedy, a romance, and a science fiction flick all rolled into one big, neon-colored ball of 80s absurdity. If you’re looking for deep philosophical insights or a plot that makes a lick of sense, you’re barking up the wrong cosmic tree. But if you’ve got a soft spot for big hair, questionable fashion choices, and a story so dumb it circles back to being almost charming, then maybe, just maybe, this is the cinematic train wreck you’ve been waiting for. Just don’t say I didn’t warn you.
This “masterpiece” comes to us from director Julien Temple, a man who I can only assume was under some sort of influence when he agreed to helm this project. The screenplay, we’re told, is based on a song. A song! That’s like building a skyscraper on a cocktail napkin. But hey, who am I to judge? Maybe this is the dawn of a new era in storytelling, where catchy tunes are all you need to launch a full-length feature. Starring Geena Davis as the aforementioned blonde, and featuring the likes of Jeff Goldblum, Jim Carrey, and Damon Wayans as the, wait for it, furry aliens, “Earth Girls Are Easy” seems determined to assault your senses with its sheer ridiculousness. So grab your popcorn, adjust your expectations to subterranean levels, and prepare for a movie that will either leave you scratching your head in disbelief or maybe, just maybe, make you crack a smile at its sheer, unadulterated silliness.
Review by Ben Dover
Well, I just spent a good chunk of my afternoon watching “Earth Girls Are Easy,” and let me tell you, my brain feels like it’s been through a spin cycle with a load of mismatched socks. This movie is something alright. Something… else. It’s like someone took a bunch of leftover ideas from a Frankie Avalon beach party movie, sprinkled in some rejected Muppet designs, and then set the whole thing to a soundtrack that sounds like it was ripped straight from a Jane Fonda workout video. And you know what? Despite myself, I chuckled a few times. Maybe I’m getting soft in my old age, or maybe the sheer audacity of this film just wore me down.
The plot, if you can even call it that, revolves around Valerie, played by Geena Davis. She’s a manicurist in the Valley who dumps her cheating doctor fiancé (good riddance, I say, doctors these days!). Then, wouldn’t you know it, three furry aliens crash-land in her swimming pool. These aren’t your typical little green men, mind you. These fellas are covered in brightly colored fur and act like a bunch of overgrown puppies who haven’t quite figured out how Earth works. Valerie, being the kind soul that she is (or maybe just incredibly naive), takes them in and, with the help of her equally air-headed friend Candy, played by Julie Brown, gives them a makeover, which involves shaving off all that ridiculous fur to reveal… well, three surprisingly hunky guys underneath. Go figure.
From there, it’s a whirlwind of the aliens trying to understand our strange human customs, which mostly involves watching a lot of television and hitting the local nightclubs. There are musical numbers that pop up out of nowhere, fashion choices that should be illegal, and enough 80s clichés to make your head spin. Jeff Goldblum plays the blue furry alien Mac, and he actually manages to bring a bit of charm to the whole chaotic mess. Jim Carrey, as the red alien Wiploc, is his usual rubber-faced self, though surprisingly restrained for his standards. Damon Wayans plays the yellow alien Zeebo, mostly grooving and looking confused, which, to be fair, is probably how most of the audience feels while watching this.
Now, let’s talk about the “special” effects. Well, the alien spaceship looks like it was made out of spare parts from a washing machine, and the furry alien costumes… bless their hearts. They’re so cheap and cheerful they almost have a certain charm. Almost. The music is pure 80s cheese, full of synthesizers and upbeat tempos that will either get your foot tapping or make you want to jam knitting needles into your ears. There’s no in-between.
All in all, “Earth Girls Are Easy” is a cinematic oddity. It’s dumb, it’s goofy, and it’s about as subtle as a foghorn in a library. But there’s a strange, almost innocent joy to its ridiculousness. It’s the kind of movie you watch when you want to turn your brain off and just enjoy something so utterly silly that it can’t help but make you smile… a little. Don’t expect high art, folks. Expect something that feels like a sugar rush crossed with a fever dream.
Rating: 2 out of 5 Furries in Space – (I’m still not entirely sure what I just watched, but I didn’t hate every minute of it. That’s saying something, isn’t it?)
Who Stars In It?
- Geena Davis as Valerie Gail: A manicurist in the San Fernando Valley who has recently broken up with her fiancé. Davis won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for “The Accidental Tourist” the year before this film came out.
- Jeff Goldblum as Mac: A blue, furry alien who is curious about Earth culture. Goldblum is known for his roles in “Jurassic Park” and “Independence Day.”
- Jim Carrey as Wiploc: A red, furry alien who is energetic and eager to experience Earth. This was one of Carrey’s earlier film roles before his breakout in the “Ace Ventura” movies.
- Damon Wayans as Zeebo: A yellow, furry alien who enjoys music and dancing. Wayans was a cast member on the sketch comedy show “In Living Color.”
- Julie Brown as Candy Pink: Valerie’s friend and the manager of the “Curl Up & Dye” salon. Brown is a comedian, singer, and writer who also co-wrote the screenplay.
- Charles Rocket as Dr. Ted Gallagher: Valerie’s cheating ex-fiancé. Rocket was a cast member on “Saturday Night Live.”
- Michael McKean as Woody: A surfer dude who befriends the aliens. McKean is known for his roles in “This is Spinal Tap” and “Best in Show.”
Thoughts on Special Effects
The special effects in “Earth Girls Are Easy” are about as sophisticated as a child’s drawing. The alien spaceship looks like a prop that was hastily constructed out of cardboard and tin foil. The furry alien costumes, while colorful, are clearly just that – costumes. You can practically see the seams. However, there’s a certain low-budget charm to it all. It fits the overall tone of the movie, which doesn’t take itself seriously for a single second. It’s the kind of movie where you can appreciate the effort, even if the execution is… well, let’s just say it’s not winning any awards for visual effects.
Thoughts on Music
The soundtrack to “Earth Girls Are Easy” is a time capsule of late 1980s pop music. It’s full of upbeat, catchy tunes with plenty of synthesizers and drum machines. There are original songs written for the movie, as well as some recognizable hits from the era. The musical numbers are integrated into the story in a somewhat haphazard way, but they definitely add to the overall sense of fun and silliness. If you have any nostalgia for 80s music, you might find yourself tapping your foot along. If not, you might find it grating. Personally, it reminded me of a lot of the garbage my kids used to listen to back then, but at least it was energetic.
Synopsis and Plot Breakdown
Valerie Gail, a bubbly manicurist living in the San Fernando Valley, is having doubts about her fiancé, Dr. Ted Gallagher. Her suspicions are confirmed when she catches him cheating with a nurse. Heartbroken and furious, Valerie kicks Ted out and decides she needs a change.
Meanwhile, on a distant planet, three furry aliens named Mac, Wiploc, and Zeebo are traveling through space. They pick up a broadcast of Earth women and become fascinated. Their ship malfunctions, and they crash-land in Valerie’s swimming pool.
Valerie is shocked to find the three colorful, furry creatures in her yard. Initially scared, she soon takes pity on them and brings them inside. With the help of her friend Candy, the manager of the local “Curl Up & Dye” salon, they decide to give the aliens a makeover to help them blend in. This involves shaving off their fur, revealing three handsome men underneath.
Despite the language barrier, the aliens quickly learn English by watching television and begin to explore Earth culture. Mac develops a romantic interest in Valerie, and she finds herself drawn to his kind and curious nature, a stark contrast to the shallow Ted.
The group goes on various adventures, including a trip to a nightclub where the aliens’ unique dance moves cause a stir. They also have a run-in with the police due to a misunderstanding. Through it all, Valerie and Mac’s connection deepens.
Famous Quotes
- Mac: “Are we limp and hard to handle?” (A misinterpretation of a television commercial, spoken with genuine concern.)
- Candy: “Men – give ’em enough rope and they’ll dig their own graves.” (Candy’s unique brand of wisdom.)
- Wiploc: “Wanna dance with a zero?” (His attempt at a pickup line.)
- Zeebo: (Mostly communicates through enthusiastic noises and gestures.)
- Valerie: “This is the Valley. Finland is the capital of Norway.” (A geographically challenged statement.)
Notes From the Movie
- The movie is based on a song of the same name by Julie Brown, who also stars in and co-wrote the film.
- This film features early roles for both Jim Carrey and Damon Wayans, both of whom would go on to become major comedy stars. They both appeared on the sketch comedy show “In Living Color” shortly after this movie.
- The vibrant and colorful production design is a deliberate choice to reflect the over-the-top aesthetic of the 1980s San Fernando Valley culture.
- Director Julien Temple is known for his work on music videos and documentaries, which likely influenced the musical and visually stylized aspects of the film.
- Despite a modest box office performance upon its release, “Earth Girls Are Easy” has gained a cult following over the years for its sheer absurdity and nostalgic charm.
Photos
Trailer
Notes:
This movie shall from now on be named Furries in Space.
Quite possibly the worst opening effects of all time, only surpassed by Space Truckers effects
The visuals on this are best described as if someone ate a Spencer’s Gifts, a Blockbuster video store, and a Claire’s jewelry store, drank a gallon of Bartles & Jaymes, and threw it all up on Julie Brown’s tits.
I can’t believe I am saying this, but this might have been a lot better (think so bad its good like Rocky Horror) if it had more musical numbers.
Who knew that Goldblum was sexy once.
That nipply swimsuit is a choice for Geena Davis I suppose, I’m not complaining.
The Damon Wayans dance off was hilarious and I never could decide if they were changing the hairstyle on the stunt dancer on purpose for comedy or if it was just badly done, it was funny, just not sure whether it was intentional.
Jim Carrey absolutely stands out in this and you can see what he could do way ahead of his famous parts.
Charles Rocket (Ted) I was doing my research and ran across this weird line/fact…
Was found dead in a field near his Connecticut home on October 7, 2005, his throat had been cut. He was 56 years old. The state medical examiner later ruled the death a suicide. … What???
I will say that Julie Brown is a comedic genius this movie was based on her songs.
Does it hold up? Well it wasn’t good then, so hold up wouldn’t be the right words, but its a fun watch in a group to laugh at the movie if that’s what your after.