Idaho governor Jim Farley (a fine performance by Beau Bridges) closes the state's borders to a bunch of Pakistani child refugees. The idiotic president (a divinely dim-witted portrayal by Phil Hartman) decides to make a stand against Farley that only causes things to spiral out of control while News Net reports on the resultant pandemonium with an eye solely on keeping viewers glued to their TV screens.
Director Joe Dante keeps the wickedly funny and entertaining story moving along at a swift pace as well as adroitly maintains a darkly humorous, yet still oddly humane tone throughout. Martyn Burke's barbed and scarily prophetic script predicts with uncanny accuracy the gross ineptitude of the Trump administration, with a doltish chief executive who's nothing more than a mindless puppet who's easily manipulated by shrewd and influential lobbyist Jack Buchan (James Coburn in peak smooth form); the chaos caused by Trump's Muslim ban, an America that's degenerated into angry warring factions, and an amoral media that cares more about ratings and sensationalism than covering world events in a thoughtful and intelligent manner.
The bang-up cast of familiar faces keeps this picture humming: Joanna Cassidy as poised news anchor Helena Newman, James Earl Jones as dignified old school reporter Jim Kalla, Dan Hedaya as excitable TV producer Mel Burgess, Denis Leary as sarcastic field reporter Vinnie Franko, Elizabeth Pena as Farley's lusty paramour Christina, Ron Perlman as levelheaded director Alan Manieska, and Dick Miller as cynical cameraman Eddie O'Neill. Jerry Hardin and Brian Keith are hilarious as a couple of crusty bellicose generals with an old score to settle. Moreover, there are a wealth of terrific supporting contributions from such always welcome folks as Kevin McCarthy, William Schallert, Robert Picardo, Rance Howard, and even Roger Corman. Mac Alhberg's dynamic cinematography and Hummie Mann's catchy military score further enhance the overall sterling quality of this total doozy.
Director Joe Dante keeps the wickedly funny and entertaining story moving along at a swift pace as well as adroitly maintains a darkly humorous, yet still oddly humane tone throughout. Martyn Burke's barbed and scarily prophetic script predicts with uncanny accuracy the gross ineptitude of the Trump administration, with a doltish chief executive who's nothing more than a mindless puppet who's easily manipulated by shrewd and influential lobbyist Jack Buchan (James Coburn in peak smooth form); the chaos caused by Trump's Muslim ban, an America that's degenerated into angry warring factions, and an amoral media that cares more about ratings and sensationalism than covering world events in a thoughtful and intelligent manner.
The bang-up cast of familiar faces keeps this picture humming: Joanna Cassidy as poised news anchor Helena Newman, James Earl Jones as dignified old school reporter Jim Kalla, Dan Hedaya as excitable TV producer Mel Burgess, Denis Leary as sarcastic field reporter Vinnie Franko, Elizabeth Pena as Farley's lusty paramour Christina, Ron Perlman as levelheaded director Alan Manieska, and Dick Miller as cynical cameraman Eddie O'Neill. Jerry Hardin and Brian Keith are hilarious as a couple of crusty bellicose generals with an old score to settle. Moreover, there are a wealth of terrific supporting contributions from such always welcome folks as Kevin McCarthy, William Schallert, Robert Picardo, Rance Howard, and even Roger Corman. Mac Alhberg's dynamic cinematography and Hummie Mann's catchy military score further enhance the overall sterling quality of this total doozy.