An ‘Arena’ ReWatch

• Directed by Peter Manoogian
• March 29, 1989

A human is the first in 50 years to compete in the intergalactic fighting sport called “The Arena” but must contend with a dangerous crime boss on his way to the top. Like Rocky in space!

Arena is a movie that when it came out nobody in it was really that well-known if known at all yet it still has an amazing cast. Most of whom would ironically go on to two separate series set on space stations much like the setting of this film.

The movie is a bit of a mix of Bloodsport and Rocky with a heavy dose of Star Wars. Not that it had the budget of any of them. That low budget does not hurt the movie. It rides largely on story over sets or effects. The flaw is that when the camera pulls back the viewer sees just how empty things are even if the scene is set in a significant area.

Marc Alaimo was a great character actor. He brought a little bit of razzmatazz to everything. He added something special from Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult to the original Total Recall to his recurring part of Gul Dukat on DS9. When I was a kid I didn’t initially know his name, but when I saw his face I knew I was getting something special. As crime boss, fighter manager, and casino owner Rogor he brought a mustache twirling evil to Arena. You could almost cheer for him to defeat the hero he was that good.

Arena engages in a few sports movie clichés. For example there is the girl the hero should go with and the girl he’s attracted to before eventually realizing he’s got it all wrong. Quinn (Claudia Christian), the hero’s manager, is the girl to chose. She’s a little broken, but a tough character equal to those around her. She may not be a physical fighter, but her skill and capabilities and determination make her a formidable force. Night club singer and Rogor’s woman Jade (Shari Shattuck) is the woman he wants and tries to seduce him into being a loser.

This is an underdog story where the character of Steve Armstrong (Paul Satterfield) must step up and prove himself with victory being a bonus. He is a good human fighter but can’t get his chance because access to the contest called ‘Arena’ is basically rigged. It’s about him climbing from the dirt and standing up to prove that he and others like him are just as good.

Steve is aided and just supported by his friend Shorty (Hamilton Camp). A gifted character actor, Camp gave this loyal character a fatherly feel with a charming conman wink. It’s a very natural dynamic between the two actors.

Occasionally Steve loses his way but gets back through the support of friends and by his own determination he succeeds. He’s not already an awesome person who just needs to show the world. He must prove himself worthy. Very Rocky in that aspect.

Steve becomes the hero of the people. Humans are all but second-class citizens in this. A unique spin right there in science-fiction. With his success and ability to hold his own against the assorted physically superior aliens he inspires others or at least excites them. He’s a symbol. The movie should’ve somehow played that aspect up more. How is this growing folk hero inspiring positive actions or changes in others? Then again that might’ve gotten expensive.

This is a low budget movie with a high-quality script and an excellent execution in comparison to the low budget. It certainly has its flaws but there’s a little bit of fun and a little bit of drama. Everyone surrounding the lead is an excellent actor which helps cover his lack of skill. Satterfield went on to other work so I am guessing he got better. His action scenes were good but his delivery of lines left something to be desired. He was not unwatchable but paled in comparison to the superior character actors.

There are minimal prosthetics and even puppetry are used to accomplish the aliens. Star Wars certainly opened up the door in that regard and this plays into that often in the obligatory matches. Steve Armstrong’s fighting gear during the scenes reminds me of the athletic gear worn on the original Battlestar Galactica. Both were weirdly homoerotic.

It’s a fun ride. There’s enough silliness that when coupled with the heart and better than it should be quality makes Arena an enjoyable movie. It’s imaginative in some aspects and mildly derivatives and others. The villain is a genuine threat and the story gets to the point without wasting time on fluff.

I found Arena just as good this time around as the last time I watched it. It’s fun and enjoyable and has heart. It is far better than it should be, though not entirely perfect.