Review: The Flying Luna Clipper, Part 1

Matt Hawkins
Jul 24, 2017 · 6 min read

My love for video games is paralleled only by love for film and video. In either case, the more gonzo, the far better. So when both worlds collide, and provided the end result is up to snuff, I’m on cloud nine.

A noteworthy example is Resurrection of the Little Match, which I first wrote about on GameSetWatch and which later appeared in the fort90zine #1. Then there’s, well, something similarly insane I wrote about for the fort90zine #4. Which yes, is still happening. Till then, head on over to the Cinema Pixeldiso archive, for my rundown of How To Make A Monster.

At any rate, I’m here to discuss The Flying Luna Clipper, which was brought to my attention thanks to CAPY’s very own Matt Repetski, my soul brother when it comes to shitty cinema. I will forever be in debt to Matt for introducing me to the genius that is Donald G. Jackson and his eight or so Roller Blade movies.

But back to the subject of our discussion, and a quote from the one originally unearthed it (who shall remain anonymous, btw): “The source for this rip is a laserdisc that was found in a thrift shop which, on first viewing, comes across as some strange hybrid of anime, a travelogue, and a late ’80s Sierra-style computer adventure game.”


It’s actually a visual novel/demo created on the MSX2, produced in 1987. Virtually no information exists online, other than a few LaserDisc databases that at simply acknowledge its very existence. Supposedly a sequel was produced in 2004 and is equally shrouded in mystery.

The Flying Luna Clipper is the brainchild of Ikko Ono, who again I’m completely clueless about (if anyone knows anything about the man, I’m all ears). In fact, the only name in the credits that has a Wikipedia entry is Masamichi Amano, who contributed towards the soundtrack.

His other credits include the music for the film Battle Royale, the game Quest 64, and… Urotsukidoji. But hey, him and his two partners did a stellar job; one of the true stand outs of the The Flying Luna Clipper is the score, particularly the title track, which will warm the heart of anyone in love with 80s Japanese Synthpop.

But I’m getting ahead of myself. As if it’s par for the course, the film starts of in a fairly puzzling fashion, with a car crushing down a moonlit highway that’s surrounded by marshes. Route 92 to be exact, which runs through Florida. Cut to the office of a Mr. Blackwell, located in Hawaii. The phone rings and the caller is the driver of the aforementioned motor vehicle, who tells Blackwell that he’s managed to locate a Martin M-130.

The camera pulls back and we learn two key pieces of info: this Blackwell fellow runs a company called PHA and he’s also a bird wearing a suit. Though up till this point, the one thing that’s been abundantly clear is the film’s visual language. Instead of me describing it, how about a look at the opening credits, with the aforementioned ultra catchy tune?

Cut to… a snowman walking around Honolulu International Airport? Yes, a snowman walking around Honolulu International Airport. Here we get additional bits of important info, which basically sets up the premise of the next 45+ minutes (it’s a short film, for sure)…

A couple things: yes, it is does indeed scream 80s computer graphics. And yes, the pacing is rather slow; I chalk it up to the technical constraints of the MSX (adventure games at the time were not exactly know for their blistering speed) and the deliberate tempo that is a hallmark of Japanese cinema (never-mind the fast paced, absurdist or Hollywood wannabe variants). And yes, a 200-inch wide screen inside a plane, even if it is a flying boat, is rather insane.

Around this part is also when the Holose Cross starts to make its presence really known, which is that plus surrounded by a circle symbol. It’s everywhere in the movie’s world, much like Field Emblem in Matthew Barney’s Cremaster Cycle. But there’s more; check out the following scene in which we see a green monkey, I think, getting drunk at the airport bar and watching some rather problematic entertainment on a TV…

Did you see it? If not, look closer at the rather unfortunate, blackfaced character. It’s some kind of weird, real world reflection on the television screen. It’s present in an earlier scene, and there it looked like palm tree leaves swaying in the wind. Here it looks… like a person swaying back and forth? This is Ringu territory we’re approaching, hence why it creeps me out so much. Despite the super joyful vibes the entire production gives off, hence why it mostly feels like an episode of Alive TV.

Moving on, we’re introduced to other characters that hope to be one of the lucky few on the Flying Luna Clipper’s maiden voyage, including a tv watching duck and a pear watering his garden. We also witness Flying Luna Clipper fever sweeping Honolulu, as all associated merchandise flies off the shelves. And soon, the moment everyone’s been waiting for; the big yellow bird makes it’s long await arrival.

We eventually discover who made the cut, along with those who will be guiding everyone’s voyage. Plus, we’re reminded of Japan’s never-ending love for The Beatles. Also, the tomato mom with the little tomato kid on her lap is indeed the cutest thing ever…

Once the voyage is finally under way, the in-flight entertainment commences, which is a short film that describes ancient Hawaii history. Specifically the Polynesians who crossed the Pacific Ocean on nothing but double canoes and later populated islands that, prior to their visit, had no human life. Alas, like many history lessons in the real world, it’s a tad bit on the boring side, hence why I’ll be skipping an excerpt.

Though one key detail that’s revealed is how a big yellow bird guided the Polynesians, marking yet another appearance of the avian, the second regularly running motif in The Flying Luna Clipper. Afterward we cut back to the green monkey, who gets a mosquito bite on his nose, resulting in… you guessed it (maybe)… a Holose Cross. Which brings up yet another informative short, this time a sea horse who explains what the Holose Cross actually is…

And with that, “side 1 end; to be continued on side 2” comes across the screen, which feels like a good place to hit the pause button. Be back soon for part 2!


Originally published at blog.attractmo.de.

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