Tank Girl

·50 min·4 clips

Jocelyn and Kat finally tackle the 90s feminist punk film 'Tank Girl' after years of listener requests.

Jocelyn Geddie and Kat Angus open the episode by introducing 'Tank Girl', a film requested by listeners for years. Jocelyn expresses initial hope for its feminist punk themes but finds it lacking. Kat shares her childhood experience of secretly renting the VHS at age 11 and loving it, though adult viewing reveals flaws. They read listener submissions praising the film as a 'glorious failure' with a great soundtrack. The hosts analyze the film's setting in a dystopian future where water is controlled by a corporation. They argue the movie suffers from incoherent tone, describing it as 'just irreverence' without clear satire or statement. A key critique is that Lori Petty's Bugs Bunny-esque performance feels disconnected from the rest of the cast, particularly Naomi Watts as Jet Girl, who they note hated making the film. They compare this to better-directed films like 'American Psycho' where cast and crew align. The hosts wish the entire film were animated, citing the comic book origins by Jamie Hewlett and Alan Martin, and note animated segments were added due to forgotten scenes. They discuss Malcolm McDowell's hammy villain role and the underwhelming final fight. The disturbing kangaroo mutants, including Ice-T's character, are criticized for odd racial coding and unsettling design. The awkward musical number to Cole Porter's 'Let's Fall in Love' is mocked for lacking style and commitment. They praise the soundtrack curated by Courtney Love, featuring Bjork's 'Army of Me'. The episode concludes with personal takeaways: appreciation for Lori Petty's effort and cult following, but disappointment in the studio's mishandling. The hosts then share what they're loving or hating lately, including video games and curly hair products, before promoting their Patreon and upcoming episode on 'Ghostbusters 2'.

As heard by us

A clear-eyed look at Tank Girl's punk promise, tonal drift, and really good soundtrack.

Tank Girl lands on I Hate It, But I Love It as a movie with nearly everything Jocelyn Getty wants to love: 90s riot energy, feminist attitude, punk texture, and an apocalyptic setup.

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

Press play when you want Tank Girl's 90s punk-apocalyptic promise tested against its very strange reality.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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