Sonny Chiba, born in 1939 in Fukuoka, Japan, was a pioneering martial artist and actor who gained fame in the 1970s. He starred in The Street Fighter's Last Revenge (1974), where he solidified his status as a cult cinema icon with his dynamic fighting skills. Chiba's influence extended to films like The Bodyguard (1973) and Message from Space (1978), showcasing his versatility beyond martial arts. His unique blend of action and charisma has left an indelible mark on the genre, making him a vital figure in the world of exploitation and grindhouse cinema.
Message from Space
Peaceful planet Jillucia was almost destroyed by the onslaught of Emperor Stresusa. The King Kaiba sends into space eight magical Liabe nuts, each of which has to find the future defenders of Jillucia. Nuts fall into the hands of the Earth’s population, but everyone who later finds out that he needs to make, not too hurry to help. Over time, the Empire Stresus learns about the Earth and about the fact that the earthlings are ready for combat. So tied carnage between the Earth and the evil empire. In this Star Wars take-off, the peaceful planet of Jillucia has been nearly wiped out by the Gavanas, whose leader takes orders from his mother (played by a comic actor in drag) rather than the Emperor. King Kaiba sends out eight Liabe holy seeds, each to be received by a chosen one to defend the Gavanas. Each recipient, ranging from hardened General Garuda to Gavana Prince Hans to young Terrans Meia, Kido, and Aaron all have different reactions to being chosen. Extra points for deadly serious Vic Morrow grimly stalking like Hamlet amidst the leftover Buck Rogers TV series robots, spacegoing sailing galleons with rows of oars, gauzy space princesses, green evil Space Vikings, bad grannies in space wheelchairs, dayglow plastic walnuts from the Liabe Gods, and comical Space Cop pursuing those crazy teenagers playing space chicken in their combination Thunderbirds and Transformers hot rod spaceship.
