I actually read some of the Tank Girl comics a few years ago and this movie is quite a watered-down portrayal of that violent, anarchistic, anything-goes universe. That said, I still like the movie and of course I own a copy.

The movie is a bit...ok - dumb...but what do you want? It was a low budget adaptation dripping in melodrama and tongue-in-cheek goofiness. The movie has simply stayed true to its source material, and there's something to be said for that... If you see yourself as a highly refined intellectual, this visual feast is not going to be for you. You won’t get it. You won’t understand it, and I suggest you watch Out Of Africa instead ;+)

The year is 2033, after a comet has crashed into Earth creating the end of the world as we know it. Tank Girl (Rebecca) and her friends are the only remaining citizens living in the wasteland that is Earth, where all the remaining water is controlled by Water and Power, the mega corporation (government) who runs the territory. While incarcerated at W + P, Tank Girl and her new friend Jet break out and steal... a tank and a jet (weird that!).

After meeting some mutant kangaroos (one of which is Ice T!) nicknamed “Rippers”, and rescuing her little girl (adopted by her friends), the kangaroos, the girls kick Water and Powers' butt. Throughout the film, we see animated bits of the comic strip interwoven with live action.

Lori Petty is perfect in her role; she’s brilliant as the wisecracking, fiercely independent and ultimately victorious heroine who changes costumes faster than the camera person can change reels. Her sidekick Jet (Naomi Watts) is wonderful too. Iggy Pop plays a dirty old man (not much different to real life!) called Rat Face and Ice T is virtually unrecognizable as the Ripper T-Saint.

It's the mixture of seeming spontaneity and a total lack of seriousness that fuels whatever success Tank Girl has. The name of the game is outrageousness, and the script never attempts anything that might damage it. There is no characterization to speak of, and the plot is simply a nonsensical piece of fluff upon which to drape so much excess.

Just when you think things can't get sillier, something happens to change your mind, whether it's the inclusion of the animation, a bizarre rendition of Cole Porter's "Let's Do It", or Tank Girl sporting a bra that would make Madonna weep with envy. Talking of which (very loosely!) the music is pretty kicking too, from Bjork to Devo, the brilliant L7 to Portishead, they are all given a shot at providing the umppf this film has.

Tank Girl is just subversive enough, the character just feisty enough, that it's worth seeing even if you haven't read any of the comics by British artist Jamie Hewlett or know anyone with green hair. When the movie came out, I was actually planning to dye my hair fuchsia in homage to this great ‘chick’. (but I had to get a job!)

Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: VHS
Video Occasion: Fit for Friday Evening
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older