Mel Brooks hired George Lucas’s Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) to handle the film's visual effects so it would look like a high-budget sci-fi blockbuster . Lucas gave his blessing on one strict condition: Brooks was forbidden from creating or selling any official Spaceballs merchandise . Brooks retaliated by filling the film with hilarious meta-merchandising jokes like Spaceballs: The Flamethrower
Episode #13
Spaceballs
Spaceballs (1987) • Directed by Mel Brooks
Published 7 August 2026
In Episode 13 of the Four Takes Movie Podcast, Martin, David, Adam and Luke revisit Mel Brooks’ 1987 sci-fi parody Spaceballs to find out whether its comedy still holds up. From Rick Moranis’ brilliant Dark Helmet and the power of the Schwartz to fourth-wall breaks and plaid speed, the team debate whether this cult favourite remains a comedy classic or is simply a bit… mid. Expect plenty of laughs, Hollywood tangents and some wildly different final scores.
5.6/10
Four Takes Score
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About the Movie
Spaceballs
1987Directed by Mel Brooks96 mins
ComedyScience Fiction
When the nefarious Dark Helmet hatches a plan to snatch Princess Vespa and steal her planet's air, space-bum-for-hire Lone Starr and his clueless sidekick fly to the rescue. Along the way, they meet Yogurt, who puts Lone Starr wise to the power of "The Schwartz." Can he master it in time to save the day?
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Episode Notes
From the Episode
For decades, this Star Wars spoof has been celebrated as a pinnacle of science fiction parody. But does the comedy actually hold up today, or does it suffer from diminishing returns?
In Episode 13, Martin, David, Adam, and Luke sit down to dissect this comedy classic. While some members of the crew still hold a candle for the legendary Rick Moranis as Dark Helmet and the incredible special effects created by Industrial Light and Magic, others in the room are far less impressed. In fact, the general consensus is that the film might actually be just mid.
Luke even slaps the movie with a harsh rating of four out of ten, while David and Martin settle on a lukewarm average. Only Adam stands tall as the Mel Brooks defender, giving the film a solid seven.
The discussion covers everything from the brilliant fourth-wall breaks to the iconic plaid speed scene. They also debate whether Bill Pullman has the acting range to lead a sci-fi blockbuster, or if he was simply cast as the ultimate vanilla everyman.
This retro movie review podcast is never just about one film. Before the crew even starts debating the power of the Schwartz, they shoot the breeze about some of the wildest stories in Hollywood:
The Supergirl Controversy: Why the main character is still an asshole by the end of her own film.
Toy Story 5: How shifting the spotlight to Jesse breathes fresh life into a beloved franchise.
Eddie Murphys Basement Studio: The unbelievable story of how the Shrek star built a recording studio in his basement just so he would never have to leave his house to record lines.
Rick Moranis as a New York Treasure: A look back at why the comedy legend is protected by the entire city of New York.
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The article gives you the highlights. The podcast gives you the arguments, reactions and all the bits that did not make it onto the page.
Did You Know?
Movie Trivia
The visual shot of the escape pod launching away from the spaceship wasn't new, it was actual unused footage originally shot for Star Wars: A New Hope
During the diner scene near the end of the film, you can spot the Millennium Falcon parked outside in the parking lot
The iconic Ludicrous Speed scene, where Spaceball One travels so fast it overshoots light speed and goes straight to plaid, directly inspired the name for Tesla's high-performance Plaid Mode animation
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