A Scientist at the Movies Reviews by Greg Paris

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Title: Big Trouble

Date of theatrical release: 2002

Details:

Tim Allen

Rene Russo

Stanley Tucci

Tom Sizemore

Johnny Knoxville

Dennis Farina

Jack Kehler

Janeane Garofalo

Patrick Warburton

Ben Foster

Zooey Deschanel

Heavy D

Omar Epps

Jason Lee

Sofía Vergara

Director: Barry Sonnenfeld

Score: +

The Review: A very funny comedy with a poisonous toad, ugly beer, murder for hire, a mysterious suitcase, Martha Stewart, a reporter from a great metropolitan newspaper (well, would you believe: an ex-columnist from a small daily paper?), squirt guns, space cadets, foot fetishes, and some of the all-round dumbest crooks you've ever set ears on -- and that's the first 10 minutes! Taken from the first novel by Dave Barry (currently a columnist for a great metropolitan newspaper), it is a scream from beginning to end. Pay particular attention to the philosophical and semantic dilemma engendered by driving into the vicinity of a major international airport.

Good ensemble cast of weirdo's and character actors that must have had an insanely good time putting this together, trying to keep a straight face long enough to do a scene. The DVD has a droll commentary track by director Sonnenfeld, with occasional flashes of inspiration.

Note: Although personally I found this incredibly hilarious, after a bit of experimentation I've since found its humor does not appeal to all tastes, and this deserves an examination in and of itself. It is not slapstick, although there are more than a few pratfalls and some physical humor; it is not adolescent potty fun, although some of the setups and situations are appreciated by adolescents and those with adolescent memories; it does not contain highly intellectual dialogs (Oscar Wilde it is not), but some of the situations are very well crafted in the style of a British comedy of manners; and lastly, (since this is Dave Barry, after all) it helps if you are a "guy." Don't think; just enjoy!

Nov-2002

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