In 1987, Orion Pictures released the sci-fi action classic film Robocop. However, that same year, there was another sci-fi action movie they released called Cherry 2000. Directed by Steve De Jarnatt, who previously wrote Strange Brew, this film has an interesting history. For years, he was trying to get his pet project Miracle Mile off the ground. Around this time, he was given the script for Cherry 2000 from Orion after they were having trouble finding a director. After some things fell through, he decided to take the script and work on the film. It was filmed in 1985 and was supposed to come out in ’86, but for whatever reason, it only got a theatrical release in Europe. It wasn’t until ’88 when the film was released direct-to-video in the US. The film has since developed a cult following, so let’s see why people are devoted to Cherry 2000.
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Set in the far future of 2017, the film features David Andrews as Sam Treadwell, a mild-mannered businessman living with his wife Cherry. Played by the late Pamela Gidley, Cherry is actually a robot, and she ends up shorting out during a make-out session involving dish suds and bubbles. He tries taking her in for repairs, but unfortunately the repairman says that the Cherry 2000 model is no longer being manufactured anymore. However, the repairman tells him that there are leftover Cherry 2000’s in Zone 7, which is a lawless area full of dangerous bandits and scoundrels. Treadwell decides to take the chance and he hires a tracker named E. Johnson, played by Melanie Griffith. While making their way through the zone, they run into gang leader Lester (Tim Thomerson). Turns out he doesn’t take too kindly to trackers, and soon Treadwell and Johnson are on the run.
One of the things that makes this movie work so well is the fantastic cast. David Andrews does a great job playing a mild-mannered working man whose world is changed once out of his home. When he leaves his futuristic city and is thrown into the desert, he sees what life is really like. Pamela Gidley, though her screen time is limited, is very stunning and fun as Cherry. The movie also has some great character actors in the mix. Some of note include Harry Carey Jr., Brion James, Ben Johnson, Tim Thomerson, and Robert Z’Dar. Thomerson, in particular, is very memorable as the eccentric Lester, who is very intense but also enjoyable to watch. Also noteworthy is Cameron Milzer as Sam’s ex-girlfriend Elaine who’s renamed to Ginger and is with Lester. She is very funny with great comedic timing and has some of the best lines in the movie.
The real stand-out, of course, is Melanie Griffith, despite what she may think of the movie. Not only is she stunningly gorgeous, but she is also an awesome badass here. She’s arguably more of the hero here than Sam is. She kills tons of guys, spouts out tons of one-liners, and does some pretty impressive car stunts. One particularly memorable one has her car dangling hundreds of feet in the air while being fired at with rocket launchers. The direction and set design are on-point, and the score from Basil Poledouris is excellent. The movie also has some relevant themes, such as the idea of love and relations being made a business. Plus, the idea of robots taking the place of real people for companionship and how robots can never replace a real human. Also, watch out for a small appearance by Laurence Fishburne.
If there are any issues I have here, one is the lack of chemistry between Andrews and Griffith. They work well as partners but not so much as love interests. Eventually, they warm up to each other, but it still feels a bit far-fetched that they’d end up together. Also, when they find the new Cherry 2000, she acts like a child, which is odd considering how the original acts like an adult. And while you do get a sense of the world the movie takes place in, the movie doesn’t really explore the world they created. Flaws aside, I still think this is a fun and entertaining gem that is worth a watch. With a great cast, fun action, and some relevant themes, Cherry 2000 is an underrated gem of a movie.
