Movie Review of Tank Girl: A Beloved, Underrated Classic Comic Book Movie

AUTHOR’S NOTE: I’ve been meaning to write this review for years now. After I finally sat down to do it, I discovered Margot Robbie’s production company is making a reboot, and a 10-minute documentary about it came out in 2024. Ha! Take that, fate!

Be aware, this review is my honest opinion about a movie that meant a lot to me growing up. I’m thrilled it’s getting renewed attention. While I hope the reboot is epic, I’ll appreciate any spotlight the original gets because I love it. This sentiment will come through strongly in the following review.

Tank Girl movie poster. Woman in goggles and torn green top poses with a colorful, cartoonish tank. Bold text reads "Tank Girl." Explosive backdrop with actor names above. — Source: Rotten Tomatoes

My thesis: Tank Girl is an underrated movie, worthy of acclaim and artistic consideration. It deserves to be more than a cult classic. If it had featured a male lead, I believe it would have been embraced by a broader audience, including the same people who now dismiss it without watching.

Assuming you’ve heard of this movie, if you wish to get worked up over my opinion, feel free to see yourself out. For those willing to read one woman’s take with an open mind, please continue. Then watch or rewatch the film with a potentially fresh perspective.

If it had featured a male lead, I believe [Tank Girl] would have been embraced by the same people who now dismiss it without watching.

Tank Girl: The Indie Spirit of the 90s - with kangaroo men!

I (born in 1986) grew up watching the 1995 movie Tank Girl. My older brother, a comic book enthusiast, likely introduced me to it, but eventually, I taped it off TV and watched the VHS copy countless times. I loved it then, and I love it even more on rewatches. The film stars a tough, untraditional, yet incredibly appealing main character, empowering women simply by being her unhinged, unapologetic self. In the ‘90s, comic book movies were niche—not the mainstream studio juggernauts they’ve become—and Tank Girl represents an independent spirit in that era.

I know some would disagree, but I think the production value is amazing for what it's doing - it feels handmade and rough-hewn in a way that suits its anarchic energy. While I haven’t read the source material, the film seems brilliantly aligned with the attitude and style of the comic. For one, original artwork is used throughout, often as creative, clever transitions. Though impossible to fully replicate any source material, I think the movie does an excellent job of conveying the tone and absurdist themes of the graphic novel in a visual medium.

Illustration of a tough girl (comic book art of original Tank Girl comic) with a missile, wearing denim shorts and bear accessories. "Tank Girl" text in bold pink above. Rebellious vibe. — Source: Titan Books

One of the film’s greatest strengths, but also the reason it’s often dismissed, is its delightfully silly and chaotic style. However, beneath the silliness lies a cleverness that deserves recognition. Given the subject matter, the limitations of ’90s technology, and the choice of high-key lighting (a stark contrast to today’s moody, dark comic book adaptations), the production design feels brilliantly executed. Admittedly, it’s a bit of a mess at times, but it’s a glorious mess that perfectly matches the anarchic, surreal themes of the material.

Sadly, this movie was underappreciated in its time and remains woefully underrated. With a $25 million budget (not exactly indie), it commercially flopped, earning well under $5 million during its theatrical run, including a dismal $2 million opening weekend. But despite its financial failure, the movie shines as a fun, gritty, and unapologetically punk adventure. Its high-energy absurdity is perfectly in tune with the character and style of the comics (though I’d love to hear dissenting opinions from hardcore fans of the source material).

Woman (Tank Girl, played by Lori Petty) with pink-streaked hair, tattoos, wearing a choker and striped arm warmers, sits in a dim room, appearing intense and focused. — Source: Everett Collection

All-Star Cast Elevates a Unique Story

Lori Petty’s performance as Tank Girl is spectacular. She embodied nonconformity and self-assurance. I see Tank Girl as a feminist queer icon: assertive, sexy without being sexualized for male pleasure, and effortlessly fluid between feminine, masculine, and androgynous traits. She’s master of her own destiny, a trait that deeply resonated with me growing up.

Despite the brilliance of Petty’s performance and the strong supporting cast (including an early role for Naomi Watts as the straight-laced foil to Tank Girl’s antics), the film was unfairly maligned. When I asked several male film school teachers if they’d seen Tank Girl, a couple of the Gen Xers literally scoffed at the idea. It’s hard not to imagine that a male-led version of this ‘90s comic book movie would have been treated with far more respect and enthusiasm.

Two women (Tank Girl, played by Lori Petty, and Jet Girl, played by Naomi Watts) in aviator gear look intently in a black-and-white setting. One wears a furry hat, the other spotted scarf, conveying tension. — Source: IMDB

And yes, the kangaroo-men are bizarre. While sleeker in the graphic novels, I don’t believe they were poorly executed in the film given the practical effects and anarchic tone of the production. In fact, I prefer the tactile realism of physical makeup over a modern CGI version, which would likely feel out of sync with the spirit of the original.

A woman (Tank Girl) with a yellow hat looks surprised, surrounded by four kangaroo-men in dark armor. Industrial background, tense mood. — Source: Blizzaradas

From Ice-T’s standout performance to Malcolm McDowell’s delightfully evil villain, the cast elevates the film’s eccentric world. McDowell, in particular, delivers a masterclass in malevolent charm (AKA, his usual).

A man in black gloves (Kesslee character, played by Malcolm McDowell) holds an elaborate knife with a serious expression. He's in an industrial setting with blue tones. — Source: IMDB

The witty, snappy dialogue, combined with high-energy action and surrealist adventures, makes Tank Girl a one-of-a-kind experience. There are also other strong female characters, including Jet Girl (Watts) and Sub Girl (Ann Cusak), who felt deeply relatable to me as someone who grew up surrounded by clutter in a chaotic household.

Woman with red hair and colorful beads (Sub Girl character, played by Ann Cusak) wears a yellow shirt inside a room, with nets on the wall. Her expression is annoyed. — Source: Tank Girl Fandom Wiki

Oh, and don't miss Iggy Pop as Rat Face!

Disheveled man (Rat Face character, pkayed by Iggy Pop) holds a young girl's hand in a tense moment, with a mural of leaves in the background and a woman peering from behind. — Source: IMDB

Finally, I have to highlight the film’s nostalgia factor. Its 1990s aesthetic is impeccable and serves as a time capsule of an era when quirky, unconventional movies like this could still (barely) get made and comic book movies were fringe.

Tank Girl: An Inspiration to Many

In conclusion, Tank Girl is a movie ahead of its time, unapologetically anarchic, and endlessly fun. It inspired me as a young girl by showing a powerful, unconventional female character who refused to conform to societal norms. While it may never achieve mainstream acclaim, its legacy as a cult classic endures for those willing to embrace its madness. I hope the reboot rekindles appreciation for the original, allowing a new generation to discover this delightfully chaotic gem. Whether you’re watching it for the first time or revisiting it with fresh eyes, Tank Girl is a cinematic experience worth savoring.

Caitlin