TANK GIRL

US, 1995, 104 minutes, Colour.
Lori Petty, Naomi Watts, Ice- T, Malcolm Mc Dowell, Iggy Pop, James Hong.
Directed by Rachel Talalay.

Tank Girl is based on a comic book – and toned down for audiences of the 1990s. Had it been made in the spate of films from comic books and graphic novels, it might have been stronger and for adult audiences. The film even utilises some comic-strip animation to propel the plot along and remind audiences of the absurdity of the action and the characters.

The territory is very much like that of Mad Max, earth, scorched, a meteor having struck, water in short supply. A destroyed world is held by unscrupulous scientists and is filled with rebels, especially creatures who are half-human, half-kangaroo, the Rippers?

It is all breezily flip and ludicrous and intended as such. Lori Petty enjoys herself as a cult heroine. Her associate, Jet Girl, is played by Naomi Watts, Australian accent and all. Malcolm Mc Dowell, as frequently, is over the top as the villain.

1. A film of a comic strip, made in the 1990s? Predating the spate of graphic novel films in the next decade? If it had been made in the 21st century?

2. The adaptation of the comic strip, toning it down for younger audiences? Tank Girl as a strong heroine? Jet Girl as her associate? The Rippers? The range of villains, Kesslee, henchman? The rebels? The visuals, the musical score?

3. The earth, the meteor, the deserts? Few survivors? The kangaroos? The Rippers? Tank Girl and her meeting Jet Girl? Their being imprisoned? The escape?

4. The mission, to overthrow the corporation? The adventures of Tank Girl and Jet Girl? Their associates? The Rippers? The action sequences?

5. Kesslee as the villain, globalisation, the corporation? His plans for the future? Control of people, control of the water?

6. The confrontations? Tank Girl versus Kesslee? The episodes, entertainment? Comic-book style?

7. An entertaining variation on super-superhero films? The superheroine and her associates?