I hadn't seen this since I was in my adolescence. After rewatching similarly underrated Martin Short films Pure Luck, Captain Ron and Clifford, I remember liking this one when I was younger and looking more into it surprised it bombed at the box office although most critics liked it.
Outside of his supporting role in the Father of the Bride films with Steve Martin and Three Amigos which has developed a cult following Martin Short has not had a whole lot of success in movies which is a shame because he is a very talented comedic actor.
This is another one that developed a cult following but very few people saw it when it first came out despite good star power from Short Dennis Quaid and an early in her career Meg Ryan.
Looking at the film I can understand to an extent why it didn't do that well at first.
It has way too much going on all at one time, too much sci fi, comedy action and romance elements all going on at once.
It definitely is a bit of an overloaded movie for sure.
Film critic Leonard Maltin said he loved it was unpredictable but needed some tightening and gave it 2.5 stars.
I would give it 3 stars if rating it on that scale but I agree it needed a few less subplots and a little tighter editing.
But on the reverse side what it does have going well for it is creativity, good screenwriting, and good performances overall although Quaid to me seems to be doing a very poor man's Jack Nicholson with his role.
Not that he's bad in the movie but every time he speaks or grins it looks so Nicholson-esque that you wish Quaid would bring more originality to his character.
Short really gives the standout performance here and really makes the movie worth seeing along with the incredible special effects.
Ryan is fine in the lead female role and has good chemistry opposite both Quaid and Short.
Joe Dante the director keeps things movie at a nice pace and the screenplay co-authored by Jeffrey Boam is clever and well written.
It's a shame that Boam was known more for action films like Indiana Jones and Lethal Weapon.
With this film and Funny Farm with Chevy Chase released the following year he proved he had a good understated gift for comedy yet both films went unnoticed upon initial release before gaining later popularity.
Some editing and less overkill could have made this a masterpiece. As it stands though it's a good enough movie and I recommend it, if you need proof that Short made a good movie this is one I would definitely choose.
Probably one of Dante's best efforts although I have heard Matinee is excellent and I need to watch it.
I would say it's one of Dante's best along with Piranha and The Burbs his next film he made with Tom Hanks.
Imperfect to be sure but there is enough entertaining here to recommend it.
Outside of his supporting role in the Father of the Bride films with Steve Martin and Three Amigos which has developed a cult following Martin Short has not had a whole lot of success in movies which is a shame because he is a very talented comedic actor.
This is another one that developed a cult following but very few people saw it when it first came out despite good star power from Short Dennis Quaid and an early in her career Meg Ryan.
Looking at the film I can understand to an extent why it didn't do that well at first.
It has way too much going on all at one time, too much sci fi, comedy action and romance elements all going on at once.
It definitely is a bit of an overloaded movie for sure.
Film critic Leonard Maltin said he loved it was unpredictable but needed some tightening and gave it 2.5 stars.
I would give it 3 stars if rating it on that scale but I agree it needed a few less subplots and a little tighter editing.
But on the reverse side what it does have going well for it is creativity, good screenwriting, and good performances overall although Quaid to me seems to be doing a very poor man's Jack Nicholson with his role.
Not that he's bad in the movie but every time he speaks or grins it looks so Nicholson-esque that you wish Quaid would bring more originality to his character.
Short really gives the standout performance here and really makes the movie worth seeing along with the incredible special effects.
Ryan is fine in the lead female role and has good chemistry opposite both Quaid and Short.
Joe Dante the director keeps things movie at a nice pace and the screenplay co-authored by Jeffrey Boam is clever and well written.
It's a shame that Boam was known more for action films like Indiana Jones and Lethal Weapon.
With this film and Funny Farm with Chevy Chase released the following year he proved he had a good understated gift for comedy yet both films went unnoticed upon initial release before gaining later popularity.
Some editing and less overkill could have made this a masterpiece. As it stands though it's a good enough movie and I recommend it, if you need proof that Short made a good movie this is one I would definitely choose.
Probably one of Dante's best efforts although I have heard Matinee is excellent and I need to watch it.
I would say it's one of Dante's best along with Piranha and The Burbs his next film he made with Tom Hanks.
Imperfect to be sure but there is enough entertaining here to recommend it.