In 2054 the world is run by corporations. An abandoned alien starship from a race called the Tesseran was discovered by the Equatron Corporation. The technology garnered from the ship advanced civilization light-years from where they should be. In 2074 a ship from the Norwegian Interworld Corporation had visual contact of a ship they believe is another alien relic on an unexplored planet called Elysium. The location of the ship was put on a tape and, under armed guard, taken to their headquarters.
One of the things created by the advanced technology was Pentan (Tracy Davis). Pentan is a genetically engineered human woman. She was designed as a weapon for corporate warfare by the Kuriyama Corporation, headed by Takashi Kuriyama Ron Ikejiri). Pentan was instructed in various forms of espionage and physical warfare. The problem with Pentan is that she is beginning to develop emotions and wants out.
Pentan is ordered to steal a tape from the couriers. Pentan completes her assignment but instead of turning the information over to her boss, John Moesby (Michael Mack), she decides that she wants freedom and believes that the alien technology is her ticket out. Before she absconds with the location of the alien artifact, Moesby trips a device implanted in the back of her neck that will bring about a stroke. If the device is not removed, she will be dead in three days.
Pentan hires Harold Brickman (Hans Bachmann), a freelance pilot who hauls cargo throughout the galaxy, to take her to the scientist who created her, Robert Thorton (Rick Foucheux). Thorton removes the implant, but Moesby and Kuriyama are not far behind her. With Brickman’s help, Pentan tries to outwit her former bosses and claim the alien technology for herself.
“Outerworld” AKA “Beyond the Rising Moon” AKA “Star Quest” AKA “Star Quest-Beyond the Rising Moon” was released in 1987 and was written and directed by Philip J. Cook. It is an American low-budget science fiction film with some cyberpunk influences. In 2024 a prequel, also by Philip Cook, called “Ghost Planet” was released. Originally released as “Beyond the Rising Moon” the film had a few updates re-vamps and re-releases. For a while it ran on the SyFy channel before being released to video. In 2007 it was re-edited and re-released as “Outerworld”.
The copy I have is the newer version. It is a fun movie to look at. Although the special effects aren’t as polished as today’s blockbusters, it does have some updated effects making it a rather interesting spectacle. One of the highlights of the film is a cool aerial dogfight that looks pretty good considering the budget. I rather enjoyed it, even if only for the visuals.
Another plus to the film is that it is not overly padded. The pace is quicker than most space operas. Some versions are longer, but this one is about 84 minutes long. The acting is alright, perhaps a little wooden at times, and the protagonists are somewhat likable, so you find yourself free to root for them. If you’ve seen every other science fiction movie from the eighties but haven’t seen this one, then you may be in for a little treat. It’s not a hidden gem, but it is a nice surprise.