Okay, fellow tapeheads, dim the lights, maybe adjust the tracking just a little, and let’s talk about a slice of pure, unadulterated, Day-Glo 80s weirdness that probably jumped out at you from the video store shelf with its sheer audacity: 1988’s Earth Girls Are Easy. This isn't just a movie; it's a time capsule filled with neon colours, big hair, catchy pop tunes, and furry aliens looking for love (or at least a good time) in the San Fernando Valley.
Remember finding this one? Maybe nestled between the bigger sci-fi epics and the raunchy teen comedies? Its vibrant cover practically screamed "rent me!" And if you took the plunge, you were rewarded with something utterly unique – a film that blends sci-fi, romantic comedy, and musical numbers with the kind of cheerful abandon that feels distinctly, wonderfully of its era.
Valley Vixens and Visitors from Afar
Our anchor in this sea of silliness is Valerie Gail (Geena Davis, radiating charm just as she did in Beetlejuice the same year), a Valley Girl manicurist whose fiancé is straying. While lamenting her love life and sunbathing, fate intervenes in the most gloriously improbable way: a spaceship, looking suspiciously like something knocked together in a cosmic garage sale, crash-lands right into her swimming pool. Out pop three fuzzy aliens – the blue Wiploc (Jim Carrey, years before his rubber-faced superstardom), the yellow Zeebo (Damon Wayans, equally pre-In Living Color fame), and the red leader, Mac (Jeff Goldblum).
What follows is pure, delightful chaos. Valerie, with the help of her delightfully ditzy boss Candy (Julie Brown, who also co-wrote the screenplay and originated the concept with her song of the same name!), takes the stranded aliens under her wing. A trip to Candy's salon transforms the furry visitors into... well, into totally tubular 80s dudes, albeit ones who absorb knowledge through touch and communicate in charmingly broken English. It helps, of course, that Davis and Goldblum were a real-life couple at the time; their chemistry sizzles with a quirky energy that grounds the absurdity just enough. You can almost feel the genuine affection beneath the latex and alien jargon.
A Music Video Masterpiece?
The film absolutely pulses with the kinetic energy of director Julien Temple, a veteran of iconic music videos for artists like David Bowie and The Rolling Stones. His background shines through in every frame. Earth Girls Are Easy often feels less like a traditional narrative and more like a series of vibrant, hyper-stylized vignettes stitched together with musical numbers. From the aliens' first encounter with pop culture via Valerie's TV to the infectious "'Cause I'm a Blonde" number led by Julie Brown herself, the movie embraces its musical heart without apology. Remember that salon scene? It’s pure 80s pop fantasy! The production design by Dennis Gassner (who'd later lend his talents to much more serious fare like Blade Runner 2049) is a character in itself, a saturated explosion of pinks, blues, and yellows that perfectly captures the era's aesthetic.
Embracing the Practical Charm
Let's talk about those aliens pre-makeover. In an age before CGI rendered everything smooth and seamless, the furry suits and makeup were pure practical magic. Sure, they look a bit like giant bathmats now, but there’s a tactile reality to them, a goofy charm that digital creations often lack. Reportedly, the actors spent hours getting into the makeup and full-body suits designed by Stephen Palestrant – a testament to the commitment involved in bringing these lovable fuzzballs to life back then. It’s that hands-on, slightly imperfect quality that feels so quintessentially VHS era. Does anyone else recall being genuinely impressed by how hairy they looked on that grainy rental tape?
Finding Its Tribe on Tape
Interestingly, Earth Girls Are Easy had a bit of a bumpy landing itself. Filmed in 1987, its release was held up for nearly two years due to the bankruptcy of its original distributor, De Laurentiis Entertainment Group. When it finally hit theatres in late '88/early '89, it didn’t exactly set the box office on fire (making back less than half its estimated $10 million budget). Critics were decidedly mixed, unsure what to make of its bizarre genre mashup.
But then came home video. Oh, sweet VHS! This was where Earth Girls Are Easy truly found its audience. It became a cult classic, passed around among friends, discovered late at night on cable, celebrated for its infectious energy, quotable lines ("A Valerie without vanity is like a world without war"), and undeniable camp factor. It’s the kind of movie that might have baffled some critics but brought pure joy to anyone willing to just go along for the ride.
VHS Heaven Rating: 8/10
Why the score? Earth Girls Are Easy is a near-perfect time capsule of late-80s pop culture absurdity. It fully commits to its goofy premise, delivering genuine laughs, surprisingly sweet moments (mostly thanks to Davis and Goldblum), and unforgettable visuals. The catchy soundtrack, the vibrant aesthetic, and the sheer audacity of its concept earn it high marks. It loses a couple of points perhaps for a plot thinner than Valerie’s ozone layer worries, but its charm and rewatchability more than compensate. This film knows exactly what it is and leans into it with infectious glee.
Final Take: Forget gritty reboots and complex multiverses for a night. Earth Girls Are Easy is pure, unadulterated cinematic confectionary – a fluffy, funny, and fabulously weird slice of 80s optimism served up with Day-Glo frosting and alien invaders who just want to dance. It’s proof that sometimes, the silliest trips are the most memorable, especially when viewed through the warm, fuzzy glow of a CRT screen.