LEWM: "TANK GIRL" ESL LESSON

ARCENAL STUDIOS presents LEARNING ENGLISH WITH MOVIES: "TANK GIRL" (1995) - a video lesson for ESL students who would like to improve their English skills by using MOVIES as the main topic.

 TANK GIRL

TANK GIRL is a 1995 post-apocalyptic sci-fi comedy directed by Rachel Talalay starring Lori Petty, Naomi Watts, Malcolm McDowell and Ice-T.

 

The film received mixed reviews from critics and was unsuccessful at the box office, however, thanks to home video; it has become a cult movie among fans of the genre.

 

Director Rachel Talalay is a British-American who had worked on the NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET films and even directed FREDDY’S DEAD: THE FINAL NIGHTMARE.

 

After falling in love with the Indie COMIC BOOK “TANK GIRL”, which she received as a gift, she optioned the rights from the publisher. Not only that, but Talalay worked closely with the comic's creators Alan Martin and Jamie Hewlett during the film's production.

 

The comic book deals with the adventures and misadventures of the title character as she tries to survive a post-apocalyptic Australian wasteland inspired by films like MAD MAX as well as punk rock fashion and pop culture.

 

The film was able to successfully capture the spirit of the film, by not only casting Punk Rock legend Iggy Pop and Rapper Ice-T in supporting roles, but also hiring Courtney Love to produce the soundtrack.

 

The main cast was comprised of young, talented up-and-coming actors Lori Perry and Naomi Watts as well as veteran actor Malcolm McDowell, who starred in many classic films including A CLOCKWORK ORANGE.

 

The STAN WINSTON STUDIO, the award winning special effect Company behind PREDATOR, ALIENS, and the TERMINATOR was in charge of the incredible creature effects.

 

In the film, Rebecca Buck aka TANK GIRL, played by Lori Petty, is a wild and eccentric member of a commune of survivors of a post apocalyptic holocaust. They try their best to survive in the harsh desert environment by using water from an unlicensed well.

 

THE WATER & POWER Corporation, the evil organization in charge of controlling the water in this dry world, attacks the commune and enslaves the survivors.

 

The head of Water & Power is Kesslee, played by Malcolm McDowell, a man obsessed on world domination by controlling the water supply.

 

While imprisoned, TANK GIRL meets a shy Jet mechanic nicknamed JET GIRL. They both manage to escape thanks to the rebellious Rippers, a group of mutants intent on fighting Water & Power’s domination.

 

During the attack, Kesslee is severely wounded and left for dead.

 

Jet Girl manages to steal a Jet while Rebecca falls in love with a tank.

 

The tank used in the film is a modified M5A1 Stuart Peruvian Tank, which had already been used in several films.

 

After Tank girl learns about the whereabouts of her young friend Sam, she decides to save her.

 

After rescuing Sam from a Sex Club ran by Rat Face, played by Iggy Pop, they escape into the desert.

 

It is there that they meet the Rippers, super soldiers created from human and Kangaroo Dna.

 

Tank Girl and Jet girl help the Rippers steal a shipment of weapons from Water & Power despite the objections of T-Saint, the Ripper played by Ice-T.

 

After they are ambushed by Water & Power, Tank Girl faces Kesslee one last time.

 

It is then that she learns that Sam is being held captive inside one of the water pipes.

 

Kesslee, whose body had been reconstructed by a cybernetic doctor, fights Tank Girl while Sam is slowly drowned.

 

At the end, TANK GIRL not only manages to kill him and save Sam, but also free the people from the grasp of Water & Power.

 

According to the Film’s director, TANK GIRL’s disappointing critical and financial failure was due to the studio’s interference and final edit of the film.

 

The creators of the COMIC also blame the studio production problems for the film’s lackluster performance.

 

Despite all this, both the the COMIC and the FILM have earned cult status, spawning merchandise inspired by the title character, conventions, music, and even Cosplay.

 

Most recently, Actress Margot Robbie, most famous for playing Harley Quinn on film, has not only purchased the rights through her production company but also has shown interest in playing the Title character.