Knock it off, you hoser!
Okay. Okay. Okay. I know this is not brilliant
filmmaking. I know these are not brilliant
performances. I know this is basically a pretty
lame film. But, It's SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO funny.
21 years later I still laugh hysterically every
time I watch this film, and it hasn't even aged
that well. These characters, well they're just
goofy, charming, innocent and fun. If I had to
pick a film to put in my Top 100 that is not
really "rated" there...this would be it. It's a
film I watch repeatedly and never get tired of
seeing. It's a film of tremendous silliness and
stupidity, but it's such well done silliness and
stupidity that I find myself laughing every time
I see it.
Rick Moranis and Dave Thomas wrote the film,
directed the film and star in the film as "Bob &
Doug McKenzie," an expanded feature based on
their SCTV characters. Unlike most SNL features,
this film really works on so many levels.
Somehow, they've managed to take that two minute
skit and bring the characters to life for a
brisk, 90 minute feature film.
The film has great, funny side performances by
Max Von Sydow, Paul Dooley and Lynne Griffin.
The set design is basic, yet effective as an old
brewery...it looks like the kind of place that
would have an asylum inside it.
Made on an extremely low budget of $4 million
(in 1983), the film brought in a mere $8
million. So, while it made money...it certainly
didn't find a big audience upon release. Yet,
the film's shelf life has been incredible and it
definitely has a loyal following now.
If you remember the SCTV skit, odds are you'll
embrace this film. If you're a fan of truly
silly films...along the lines of say a "Wayne's
World," then odds are you will find much to love
here.
I will add a side plug here. If you have loved
this film, check out Disney's recent flick
"Brother Bear," now on DVD. It features the
voices of Moranis and Thomas in leading
roles...and it sounds frighteningly similar to
the characters in this film. Once again, while
"Brother Bear" itself is fairly basic just
hearing the combo of Rick Moranis and Dave
Thomas is worth it all for me.
This is a silly, goofy, innocent comic
classic...I highly recommend it.
©
Written by Richard Propes
TC Candler's Comment
This is one
of those dumb comedies that just didn't hit many
high notes for me. Maybe I'll watch it
again some day to see if I was just in a bad
mood.
Jacob
Hall's Comment
N/A
