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The Philadelphia Experiment (1984) Review: Better Than The Final Countdown?
In this episode of Sci-Fi Graveyard, the crew reviews the 1984 sci-fi film The Philadelphia Experiment. The movie explores the urban legend of a US Navy experiment gone wrong, transporting two sailors from 1943 to 1984. The hosts compare it to the previously reviewed The Final Countdown, noting that while Countdown had better production values (thanks to the US Navy's cooperation), The Philadelphia Experiment offered a more engaging, character-driven story.
The discussion highlights the film's "popcorn flick" nature, with the hosts appreciating the chemistry between Michael Paré and Nancy Allen. They delve into the plot's time-travel mechanics, the government conspiracy elements, and the somewhat convenient romance. Unlike The Final Countdown, which they felt wasted its premise, the group found this film to be a fun, if slightly cheesy, 80s adventure. They also touch on the film's production history, including John Carpenter's involvement as an executive producer, and ultimately decide that the film should "Rest in Peace" rather than be rebooted, as the 2012 TV movie remake was lackluster.
Key Highlights
[01:07] Plot Summary: A brief recap of the movie's premise: sailors aboard the USS Eldridge are transported from WWII to 1984 due to a failed invisibility experiment.
[02:14] Government Distancing: Trivia about how the US Navy refused to cooperate with the film due to the actual urban legend surrounding the Philadelphia Experiment.
[05:28] Trailer Spoilers: The hosts laugh about how 80s trailers, including this one, tended to give away the entire plot of the movie in four minutes.
[08:11] Better Than Final Countdown: A consensus that despite a lower budget, this film was more enjoyable and better paced than The Final Countdown because it focused on a smaller cast of characters.
[13:00] Payment Issues: A humorous observation that the time-traveling sailors never seem to struggle with paying for things like food in 1984, despite having 1943 money.
[25:04] Rest in Peace: The verdict is in: the crew agrees the movie doesn't need another remake (especially after the 2012 attempt) and stands well enough on its own as a product of its time.
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By Joseph Gettinger
4.3
33 ratings
In this episode of Sci-Fi Graveyard, the crew reviews the 1984 sci-fi film The Philadelphia Experiment. The movie explores the urban legend of a US Navy experiment gone wrong, transporting two sailors from 1943 to 1984. The hosts compare it to the previously reviewed The Final Countdown, noting that while Countdown had better production values (thanks to the US Navy's cooperation), The Philadelphia Experiment offered a more engaging, character-driven story.
The discussion highlights the film's "popcorn flick" nature, with the hosts appreciating the chemistry between Michael Paré and Nancy Allen. They delve into the plot's time-travel mechanics, the government conspiracy elements, and the somewhat convenient romance. Unlike The Final Countdown, which they felt wasted its premise, the group found this film to be a fun, if slightly cheesy, 80s adventure. They also touch on the film's production history, including John Carpenter's involvement as an executive producer, and ultimately decide that the film should "Rest in Peace" rather than be rebooted, as the 2012 TV movie remake was lackluster.
Key Highlights
[01:07] Plot Summary: A brief recap of the movie's premise: sailors aboard the USS Eldridge are transported from WWII to 1984 due to a failed invisibility experiment.
[02:14] Government Distancing: Trivia about how the US Navy refused to cooperate with the film due to the actual urban legend surrounding the Philadelphia Experiment.
[05:28] Trailer Spoilers: The hosts laugh about how 80s trailers, including this one, tended to give away the entire plot of the movie in four minutes.
[08:11] Better Than Final Countdown: A consensus that despite a lower budget, this film was more enjoyable and better paced than The Final Countdown because it focused on a smaller cast of characters.
[13:00] Payment Issues: A humorous observation that the time-traveling sailors never seem to struggle with paying for things like food in 1984, despite having 1943 money.
[25:04] Rest in Peace: The verdict is in: the crew agrees the movie doesn't need another remake (especially after the 2012 attempt) and stands well enough on its own as a product of its time.