Delta Space Mission (1984): Film Review

 If we could define 'Delta Space Mission' in two words, it would be like a psychonautical poem, from all its angles: visual, narrative, and sound. And it is, according to its creators, that the story is born precisely from a poem. This cult film from the 80s was made in Romania, the land of great poets and great artists; a country of convulsive political cycles and wonderful culture. DSM is a visionary film that now makes the time jump to our present with a new 4K version, extracted directly from the 35mm footage. 

DSM is a space adventure that tries to address a current question that has, in fact, been touched on in the last season of Star Trek Discovery: What happens if artificial intelligence develops emotions? And what if it falls in love? With this plot, the film presents the main characters as a starfleet. Among the main characters is Tin, a pet with only two feet and an impossible cubic shape with two eyes as antennas, very cute but stronger than expected. The other characters are diluted within the plot, but they are not missed since our heroine, Alma, makes sure that we worry about her all the time.

Visually, each plane with its backgrounds and designs is enjoyed. Full of psychedelic colors and shapes, possible only in animated cinema. The animation is limited, but the way the story is told doesn't give that impression. If we consider the animations from the same years, like Silver Hawks or BraveStarr, Delta Space Mission is quite acceptable. DSM also has the advantage of immersing us in another way of conceiving what space adventures would be from the point of view of Eastern Europe in those years. For example, the module/ship in which Alma appears takes off and lands with two legs. The designs play and take perspectives to the limit. In addition, the subjective points of view make the viewer feel, at certain moments, inside the story as if in a video game.

The music has the advantage of feeling so current that it achieves a fascinating temporary sound bridge, and it complements the psychonautical trip very well, even without the use of hallucinogenic substances. The only thing that disturbed and bored me was the voice of the artificial intelligence, which was frustrating at times with its fake tone of love. Perhaps it was the right tone for an '80s AI who felt love but ultimately didn't understand anything, as Alma lets the AI know at the end of the film.

Delta Mission Space is a psychonautical, philosophical, fun, and fantastic film that will surely last much longer in your head than the latest Disney animation.

contributed by: Kropka

CREDITS:
Delta Space Mission / Misiunea spatialã Delta
Director: Calin Cazan, Mircea Toia Run Time: 68 min. Rating: NR | Starring: Dan Condurache, Ion Chelaru, Marcel Iures, Mirela Gorea | Country: Romania | Language: Romanian with English subtitles | Runtime: 70 mins | Year: 1984

'Delta Space Mission' is now available on VOD via Deaf Crocodile and as a Blu-Ray item.

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