Buck Rogers (the always engaging Gil Gerard) takes the place of a convict so he can spring the sassy Jen Barton (a pleasingly spunky performance by Jamie Lee Curtis) out of prison. The bickering pair have to trek across the desert. They are relentlessly pursued by a malfunctioning, but seemingly unstoppable robot guard (hulking behemoth Walter Hunter). Director Dick Lowry, working from an engrossing script by Bill Taylor, relates the enjoyable story at a steady pace, makes the most out of the desolate desert location, and tops everything off with a few nice touches of cheeky humor. Gerard and Curtis display a good crackling screen chemistry; their sharp and funny verbal sparring keeps the show buzzing throughout. The rest of the guest cast are likewise up to speed: Michael Delano sneers it up well as slimy no-count baddie Michael Pantera, Bert Rosario gives an amusing portrayal of wormy rat Sergio Sanwiler, and veteran character actor Robert Cornthwaite contributes a sturdy and respectable turn as conflicted ambassador Warwick. As a sweet extra bonus, the shapely Curtis looks positively smashing in a tight clingy orange outfit in the first half (she later changes into a yummy dress with a slit on one side that shows off a lot of leg), the insanely foxy Tara Buckman gets guys' pulses racing with her sexy part as Pantera's luscious accomplice Majel, and the ever-fetching Erin Gray as Wilma Deering sports a form-fitting red spandex number that really flatters her sensationally slim figure. The expected cruddy matte paintings, rubbery creatures, and rinky-dink plasticky props further enhance the endearingly tacky charm of this typically fun episode.
Review of Unchained Woman
