In this visually creative space adventure from the team that would go on to give the world INDEPENDENCE DAY and GODZILLA a timid glasses-wearing Egyptologist (Spader) uncovers an ancient portal to another planet and is dispatched there forthwith--along with blundering clodfooted government troops (led by Russell). The downtrodden populace they encounter ruled by godlike androgynous King Ra (Davidson in his first role after becoming a star in THE CRYING GAME) must be led to literacy and freedom Ra must be defeated the intellectual must find his machismo our boys must return to Earth.