Hot Serial

Do you like the old Republic serials like Commando Cody and Doctor Satan? Sure, who doesn't like low-budget adventures with a cliffhanger every episode? If you like them ironically, you should check out Monarch of the Moon.

Made in 2005 for chickenfeed, MotM is a loving tribute and scathing send up of those serials. Directed by Richard Lowry and a group of more or less unknowns, it stars "The Yellowjacket", a military intelligence man who can fly with a waspy backpack and has the power to summon yellowjackets. His arch-nemesis is "The Dragonfly", a Japanese dragonlady who can deflect bullets with her fan and also somehow fly. Yellowjacket's team includes his ditzy secretary, her by-the-book twin, a drunk ex-pilot and a plucky boy scout.

Of course, it turns out that the Moon-men (and women!) are the power behind the Japanese empire, so our team takes off to the Moon. At least, what's left of them. For a kiddie serial, the good guy body count in this is pretty serious.

That's about the only thing that's serious. This is pretty silly, although not really jokey. In my opinion, this is not as good as Lost Skeleton of Cadavra - the gold standard of b&w spoofs - but a fun watch. Since it streams on Watch Instantly, why not?