SF Cult - The Return of Captain Invincible
A 1983 science-fiction musical comedy about an ageing superhero
Jul 1, 2009
The Return of Captain Invincible is a parody of comic book superheroism. It begins with a mock newsreel, including stock footage of McCarthy, showing how in the 1930s and 40s Captain Invincible was everyone’s favourite hero. He fought the Nazis and his arch nemesis Mr Midnight and played a part in making America and the world a better place.
The 1950s were not as kind, and during the HUAC hearings he was labeled as subversive for wearing a red cape (the colour of communism), flying without a pilots license and wearing underwear in public. He left for self imposed exile in Australia, where he became an alcoholic and forget how to fly and to use his superpowers.
The Plot of The Return of Captain Invincible
Years after Captain Invincible disappeared, Mr Midnight is back and has stolen the US government super weapon called the hypno-ray. The US President, who had a personal bond with Captain Invincible, believes the Captain is the only person who can retrieve the hypno-ray and wants him located. He is found, drunken and overweight, by an Australian police woman.
Captain Invincible must learn how to fly all over again, learn how to use his amazing computer brain and regain his magnetic powers in order to take on Mr Midnight before he takes over the world. Mr Midnight tempts him with a well-stocked bar, and the story follows Captain Invincible’s attempts to return to super-heroing and redeem his reputation.
The Return of Captain Invincible’s Characters
Alan Arkin plays an excellent and convincing Captain Invincible with his wry humour making him superior and humble at the same time. He apparently started his career as a folksinger, and handles the singing well. Christopher Lee plays the evil Mr Midnight with his usual remarkable composure, and this is the only movie where you will see the legendary Hammer Horror star singing and prancing with a group of scantily clad women.
Patti Patria, the Australian policewoman who locates Captain Invincible and helps retrain him is played by Kate Fitzpatrick, and is not her best acting performance. Michael Pate plays the US President and Graham Kennedy appears as the rather sycophantic Australian Prime Minister. There is also a cameo by Gus Mercurio as a noisy garbageman.
The Songs in The Return of Captain Invincible
Some of the songs are very funny and memorable, while others are downright embarrassing, with one song basically being basically the repetition of the word bulls**t set to music. Some of the songs were written by Richard O’Brien, who wrote the music for The Rocky Horror Picture Show, and these are the best songs in the movie.
The most memorable is a song sung by Christopher Lee called “Name Your Poison” when the evil Mr Midnight tries to tempt Captain Invincible back off the wagon with a wide range of alcoholic beverages. Another favourite is a song Alan Arkin sings about “The Good Guys and The Bad Guys” and how it’s hard to tell which is which sometimes.
The Puns and Parodies
The writers of the movie were Steven E. Desouza and Andrew Gaty and they obviously know their superhero history as there are some good insider jokes scattered through the movie, as well as some terrible puns such as the peach pits. Watch the food chain as Mr Midnight feeds each of his pets in turn to another.
There is a spoof of the flying love scene from the 1978 Superman. The elaborate war room comes from Dr Strangelove and the bizarre fight scene between Captain Invincible and the roomful of killer vacuum cleaners is a take off of the Raiders of the Lost Ark snake pit. It’s a movie where viewers can spot something new with each viewing.
Overall, The Return of Captain Invincible is a strange, absurd, but heart-warming movie. Anyone watching it for special effects and cinematic wizardry will be sadly disappointed. The plot is sketchy at times but it is a cult gem. If possible it should be watched in a room full of fans who can sing along to all the songs!
If you enjoy The Return of Captain Invincible you will probably also enjoy Dark Star and A Boy and His Dog.
- The Return of Captain Invincible
- Starring Alan Arkin and Christopher Lee
- Written by Steven E. de Souza and Andrew Gaty
- Directed by Philippe Mora
- Running time: 90 minutes
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