Vicious Lips

• Written and Directed by Albert Pyun
• February 1987 (US)

In the distant future a fledgling rock band gets their big break-but only if they can make it to a popular club on a distant planet in time.

Vicious Lips was a totally random discovery courtesy of social media. It was certainly an experience. I have no idea how to best describe this. It’s an odd mix of science fiction, camp, and Pyun’s view of the 80s rock ‘n’ roll scene. Painful to watch sometimes yet fun in a way that was possible courtesy of someone of unique abilities like B-movie auteur Albert Pyun. And really when I learned Pyun was connected that’s what convinced me to watch.

The story starts out as one of many rock ‘n roll fables about a struggling music group but set in the future. The titular group must get across the galaxy to replace another band in what is a make-or-break opportunity for them. Toss in a last-minute replacement lead singer and there is tension amongst them. Then it takes a turn towards Pitch Black BEFORE that movie came out (but without the darkness) when their stolen ship crashes with a serial killer onboard.

The music is good for a super low budget movie. Not great but certainly a very good example of the era as well as what would be expected from a female group. A softened Joan Jett if you will. Energetic, kinda angry, but in the end fun. You can really get into it. The hair and make-up is pure movie punk from the 80s.

The acting is atrocious. I have no idea what any of them did before this or if they even managed to get work after Vicious Lips, but I don’t see how on either end. However, they could sing. And they could put on a good show. If you consider this is a series of music videos it fits very much in with the MTV of the day. This is the type of group that might get featured in some way back in the channel’s very early days.

I would like to tell you something about each character, but I honestly can’t. Nothing really stands out about them. The best I can muster is that the lead singer can get a bit too focused on her dream of being famous that she takes advantage of the situation and hurts the fellow band members. But her name or some defining qualities of the other characters? Nope.

As movies go, this is a micro budget film. Even small by Albert Pyun standards. I can think of maybe two effects shots in this entire movie. What I am bothered the most by is the killer being the same creature design as the flunky we see in the opening-minus the trendy 80s suit. Were they meant to be the same character and that aspect got lost?

There isn’t too much story here. It’s just the characters meeting and then trying to get to a club to perform to make it big. Pretty standard but there’s not much story squeezed out of that. Not much heartfelt drama or goofy fun or anything like that. And the danger element is almost incidental. Pyun and pals barely tried. And because of that it never finds a footing. It never defines itself as a comedy, dramedy, or thinly veiled music video anthology.

Vicious Lips is not one of Pyun’s best. The music is the highlight. Yet it is fun in a way that makes it go down well. Maybe not for everybody but a treat for B-movie fans.