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Lori Petty, Malcolm McDowell, Ice-T, Naomi Watts, Don Harvey ... see more see more... , Jeff Kober , Reg E. Cathey , Bojesse Christopher , Scott Coffey , Ann Cusack , Beth de Patie , Doug Jones , Clayton Landey , Charles Lucia , Tom Noga , Kane Picoy , Iggy Pop , Richard Schiff , Billy L. Sullivan , Wes Veldink , Frank Walton , Brian Wimmer , Aurorah Allain , James Hong , Jim Sullivan , John David Bland , Jo Farkas , Stacy Linn Ramsower

Based on a popular British cult comic book, this film is the story of a futuristic feminist superhero and her fight to preserve the environment against an evil government bureaucracy. The action is se... read more read more...t in the year 2033, after an ecological disaster of drought and pollution has ravaged the countryside, and water is scarce. Tank Girl (Lori Petty) is a sassy punker who has her own vintage tank in tow, along with other high-tech weapons. Her mutant friends join her in bizarre battles against the corporate-statist Department of Water and Power and its villainous chief, Kesslee (Malcolm McDowell). At stake is the world's water supply, which the Department is hoarding and which the rebels frequently raid. Rock star Iggy Pop has a cameo as Rat Face, one of the half-human, half-kangaroo Rippers. Courtney Love coordinated the post-punk soundtrack. ~ Michael Betzold, Rovi

Flixster Users

60% liked it

48,440 ratings

Critics

42% liked it

33 critics

R, 1 hr. 44 min.

Directed by: Rachel Talalay

Release Date: March 1, 1995

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DVD Release Date: April 10, 2001

Stats: 2,568 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (2,568)


  • October 1, 2011
    God this movie is so 90s. Hell, depsite the fact that this is a kooky, ridiculous mess, the fact that it is so 90s is probably what makes it sorta charming and fun in its own way. I can definitely see why this is a cult favorite (for some).

    Yeah, this adaptation of a comic is b... read moread, but it's never boring. The performances are over the top, the movie's got a plot that's all over the place, and there's some really odd editing and a messy script, but, the film has some killer needle drops, it's got a fun charm to it, the actors look like they had a lot of fun making this, the costumes and sets are just kitschy as all hell, and pre-fame Naomi Watts is quite nice looking.

    The plot has something to do with water shortages in a post apocalyptic world with rebels going against an evil megalomaniac, but none of that really seems to matter. The punk attiiude, crazy art direction and the camp value just seem to take priority, but in the end, you could find far less interesting films to watch than this one, even though I'm sure a far more focused and competant adaptation is probably what fans really want.
  • April 23, 2010
    A lot of people tend to dismiss this movie because of it's "comic book" feel and comic-book (really) transitions.

    I enjoyed this movie a LOT, as it has the same "feel" as the original comic books I remember reading, and the same style of humor. It's very well done for 1995, the ... read moredialogue is well-scripted for the intent of the movie, and the funny stuff is actually funny. Some of the action scenes are a bit "campy" - but then again, they're *supposed* to be that way in this kind of movie. In addition, I thought the acting was excellent, and that Lori Petty (who played "Kit" in "A League of Our Own) Malcolm McDowell (practically legendary) and Naomi Watts were excellent choices for their characters, as were the rest of the supporting cast. Lori Petty hasn't been in anything "huge" since this movie, which is truly a pity as she is an excellent and versatile actress. Look for some interesting supporting actors, including Ice-T, Iggy Pop, and James Hong.

    Listen to the comedic dialogue carefully - most of the punchlines are funny on several levels, which I found most refreshing, and you'll encounter a lot of funny double-entendre.

    Don't look for a bunch of CGI computer effects in this movie. However, well-designed and imaginative props and sets give a good feeling of "authenticity" to the scenes, and the visual and special effects are excellent.

    Don't bother critiquing little details and spurious claptrap like that with this movie - it sets out to be a comic-book-style fun action-adventure and accomplishes that goal magnificently. (The funniest thing is that the plot precept of a mega-corporation in control of the world's water supply is becoming more and more of a plausible idea and leads one to think of a possible metaphoric reference to the world oil situation) This movie might have been rated "R" at the time for adult situations & violence (and a little nudity), but I didn't notice a whole lot of "foul language", and I didn't really see much in the movie that wouldn't be put on broadcast TV today.

    This movie has everything - good acting, evil villains, cute heroines, mutants, cool vehicles, explosions, big sets, a huge supporting cast, hilarious humor, great stunts, and even a classic musical number with a full chorus line! ("Let's Do It" by Cole Porter) It even pokes fun at beat poetry. All-in-all, well worth seeing.

    If you like stuff like "The Wizard of Speed and Time", "Flash Gordon", "Johnny Mnemonic", "Space Truckers", "Ice Pirates", or "Yellowbeard" then you'll definitely love this movie. Even if you don't, see this movie anyway - it may change your mind about this genre.

    From personal experience: "Chicks dig this flick."

    Get the popcorn & enjoy.
  • October 2, 2009
    I?m not so sure how it all went so wrong? The comic is fantastic, a favourite of mine growing up in the late 80?s early 90?s. They don?t seem to have understood any of the characters and have cast it accordingly. I can?t think of any redeeming feature in this film apart from the ... read morelittle snippets of the comics but at the end of the day, they only highlight how badly the film has adapted. What a stinker!
  • April 11, 2008
    Dude, I can't believe I've not seen this flick till now.

    It was freakin' awesome!


    I miss reading comics. Hahahaha.

    Review...TBA.
  • January 31, 2008
    cool film, starring Ice-T as a human kangeroo.
  • July 9, 2007
    Tank Girl has some fun scenes, but it's all so grungy and low-budget. She's a hilarious punky-chick with an attitude; I wish she was given a more spectacular setting to conduct her rebellion...
  • July 2, 2007
    Jeeeeesus Christ, shoot me in the vagina before making me watch this disaster of a film again. It is shrill, exhausting and wears out its welcome far before the run time is over.
  • May 6, 2007
    Sooooo wierd....sooooo wierd
  • December 13, 2006
    Jamie Hewlett's classic comic book creation is utterly butchered in a stupid, loud, unfunny, witless mess. Truly embarrassing.
  • November 22, 2006
    Words can't describe how bad this movie is.

Critic Reviews


Owen Gleiberman
July 6, 2010
Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly

An aspiring cult film that would rather be cute than dangerous. Full Review

Leonard Klady
March 26, 2009
Leonard Klady, Variety

The movie version of the graphic comic book is a classic case of kitchen-sink filmmaking, in which the principals have thrown everything into the stew, hoping enough will stick to the audience. Full Review

Jonathan Rosenbaum
April 18, 2007
Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader

Lori Petty does a nice job in the title role of this enjoyable 1995 feature based on the postapocalyptic SF comic book and set in the year 2033. Full Review

Janet Maslin
May 20, 2003
Janet Maslin, New York Times

Chief among its strong points is Lori Petty, a buzz-cut fashion plate in a Prozac necklace, who brings the necessary gusto to Tank Girl's flippancy. Full Review

Kenneth Turan
February 13, 2001
Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times

Watching Tank Girl is as disorienting as waking up in someone else's bad dream. You want to get out as fast as possible, but all the exits seem to be blocked. Full Review

Desson Thomson
January 1, 2000
Desson Thomson, Washington Post

The story, which feels like a disjointed collection of low-budget rock videos more than a coherent plot, just rocks idly on its pseudo-fashionable backside. Full Review

Richard Harrington
January 1, 2000
Richard Harrington, Washington Post

The result is a bracing film that's halfway between a string of MTV videos (Courtney Love put together the edgy soundtrack) and some of that network's over-the-top cartoons. Full Review

James Berardinelli
January 1, 2000
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

One of those chew-the-popcorn, munch-the-candy flicks - - the kind you go into expecting to have a good time, but nothing more. Given those expectations, disappointment is as unlikely as boredom. Full Review

Roger Ebert
January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Enormous energy went into this movie. I could not, however, care about it for much more than a moment at a time, and after awhile its manic energy wore me down. Full Review

Jeffrey M. Anderson
September 3, 2009
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid

Ultimately, I had a lot more fun at this movie that I did at Batman Forever. Full Review

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Tank Girl Trivia


  • In 2033, Justice rides a tank and wears lip gloss. Name the film?  Answer »
  • Who played Jet Girl in the 1995 movie "Tank Girl"?  Answer »
  • In what 1995 movie would the main character have friends named The Rippers,and Jet Girl who all come together to fight a mega-villain named Kesslee?  Answer »
  • Who plays Tank Girl in the movie "Tank Girl"?  Answer »

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