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Here was a case in which the progenitors of this successful comic-book adaptation figured they had to go in a new direction--and chose the wrong one. For starters, they recruited comedian Richard Pryor, who was the kiss of death for almost every movie he was in except his own concert films. He plays a computer specialist who is hired by a criminal mastermind (Robert Vaughan) to help him take on Superman by exposing him to a new form of Kryptonite: red Kryptonite, which always had unpredictable effects in the comic books. In this film, it splits Superman in two, dividing his good self from his dark side. The special effects had gone about as far as they could, and this movie strains to hold an audience's interest for its full running length. --Marshall Fine ... Read more

Reviews (106)

Disappointing.
Aside from Christopher Reeve's fine performance once again as Clark Kent/Superman, "Superman III" was a major disappointment back in 1983. I remember sitting in the theater as a 10-year-old and thinking, "Is that all there is?" Superman vs. a Supercomputer just cannot compare with him rescuing California from a major tectonic disaster or duking it out above Metropolis with three Kryptonian villains.

I also could never understand why the producers cast Richard Pryor. It's like he bumbled onto the set accidently from a different movie. He's a very talented comedian, yes, but exactly what audience were the Salkinds aiming for? I know I wasn't old enough then to see his concert movies or his vehicles with Gene Wilder. Mind boggling to me.

I missed the magic and awe I felt during the original film. I missed Lex Luthor's scheming ways. But mostly, I missed the witty relationship between Clark Kent/Superman and Lois Lane. Annette O'Toole is lovely, but her character simply wasn't as fun or interesting as the best girl reporter in Metropolis. With her husky voice and hilarious manic energy, Margot Kidder was absolutely perfect. Two small scenes were not enough.

I really don't like leaving negative reviews, but as a Superman purist, the only REAL Superman movie to see is the orginial. Richard Donner's vision for the film was flawless. The first sequel was fine, but it could have been sooo much better had Donner been allowed to finish (he was unjustly fired after the Salkinds worked him to the bone). Do yourself a favor... preorder SUPERMAN: THE MOVIE on DVD and enjoy!!

This Looks Like A Job For...Richard Pryor??
After getting off to a great start, the Superman film series, got muddled a bit by a director change while filming Superman II. Thanks to the fact that Creative Consultant Tom Mankiewicz's original story for the sequel stayed intact, despite all of the backstage hostility, Superman II still manages to work. Superman III, hovwever, is a whole nother matter entirely, with its own set of problems.

Gus Gorman (Richard Pryor) is a down on his luck computer genius, who is hired by Websco industries, to doa meanial data entry. Soon though Gus learns how to imbezzle large sums of money. When CEO Ross Webster (Robert Vaughn) finds this out, rather than send him to jail, Webster uses Gus and his computer skills to hold other competitors around the world at bay. Soon his plan becomes one of worldwide domination Superman (Christopher Reeve) tries to stop Webter and his cohorts in crime, but is halted by a synthetic chunck of Kryptonite, that turns the Man Of Steel against the planet he had sworn to protect.

Superman III took the series in a more comedic direction. From the farsical oppening credit sequence, to Pryor bumbling his way through one unfunny scene after another, It's sad to see a Superman film depart so drasticaly from what's come before and the comic book. Thanks to yet another dispute with producers Alexander and Ilya Salkind, the character of Lois Lane (Margot Kidder) is all but forgotten, save for a thankless, throwaway of a cameo. The action seems a bit silly, particularly at the end, as a super computer runs amok. For me, Reeve is the only thing about Superman III, that keeps it alive. Clearly director Richard Lester has it in for our hero, running him nearly into the ground. Superman III is more of a paraody, than a superhero flick.

The only extra on the DVD is the theatrical trailer.

I could have done with less comedy and moore of Reeve being...well...for lack of a better word super

You Will Believe Pryor Can Fly ...This Film Into the Ground!
When the movie poster first came out to promote SUPERMAN III with the illustration of Superman flying while carrying a distraught Richard Pryor, it was suspect. When the film was finally released, all suspicions were true. Director Richard Lester (A HARD DAY'S NIGHT)did such a great job on SUPERMAN II making it a straight action adventure film, but SUPERMAN III was just too campy. From the poster, we go to the opening credits. As they roll, a sequence of "Rube Goldberg", slapstick, domino-effect, accidents happen around a clueless Clark Kent walking through the streets of Metropolis. Somehow the audience knows that this is going to be a different Superman film. Richard Pryor (as Gus Gorman) is a computer whiz who is caught electronically embezzling from his conglomerate boss Robert Vaughn (Ross Webster). Instead of turning him in, Webster offers Gorman a job to help him rule the world by controlling a weather satellite (through Gorman's computer skills), and building a super computer. Superman gets in their way and they devise a plan to kill him with a bad batch of Kryptonite. Instead of killing him, the kryptonite turns Superman evil. He mostly flies around neglecting himself, the people of Metropolis (and of the world), and doing juvenile pranks (i.e. straightening out the Leaning Tower of Pisa). Richard Pryor is not bad in the film, but more of a distraction. The movie-going audience is not used to seeing him in this type of film. British comic actress Pamela Stephenson (whose talents were wasted during her one season on Saturday Night Live--was hardly used or seen in any sketches--but she was brilliantly hilarious on BBC's sketch comedy series NOT THE NINE O'CLOCK NEWS) is wasted and miscast in her role as Lorelei Ambrosia, Vaughn's/Webster's mistress. The special effects are decent for the pre-digital age. Some of the action sequences are excellent (i.e. when Superman has to fight the super computer). Also, the Smallville sequences with Clark Kent rekindling his frienship with Lana Lang (Annette O'Toole) are noteworthy. However, most of the film did not work due to the casting of Richard Pryor, other casting decisions, some cheesey sequences (some involving Pryor), and unnecessary humor! As John Lennon's appraisal of the Beatles' film HELP! (also directed by Lester) to paraphrase, "it was a movie about frogs with snakes in it!". That seems to be the case with SUPERMAN III.

Another Really Cheesy 1980s Movie!
Get "Superman III" and "Supergirl" by the Salkind folks and you'll have the cheesiest evening ever! In fact, Superman III nearly beats Supergirl in the "pure cheese" category. And if, like me, you're a fan of such movies, you'll absolutely love this DVD.

The story - Clark Kent/Superman goes back to Smallville for a school-reunion and meets up with a really lovely Lana Lang (Annette O'Toole). Unfortunately, there's this businessman and his bimbo girlfriend and his sister who hires Richard Pryor to mess up the world-weather (and Columbian coffee) with computers. Superman turns evil after touching some green crystal (Kryptonite mixed with tar) and gets drunk, then ends up sleeping with the aforementioned businessman's bimbo girlfriend and even pushes the Tower of Pisa straight. Finally, a supercomputer designed by Richard Pryor turns evil and transforms the aforementioned businessman's sister into an evil, mechanical sister. Superman fights them all with acid and then proceeds to make the Tower of Pisa a leaning tower again before soaring off triumphantly. Movie ends. Roll credit.

I hated this as a kid but watched it again last night and absolutely loved it. It's the nostalgia thing again. I knocked one star off my rating for it because there's this scene where Richard Pryor skies off a skyscraper, lands on the street and DID NOT die!

Superman can be better
Without Lex Luthor, this film rather suffers. But it was an attempt to create an original story instead of returning to the same old theme, which, let's be honest, can get exhausting.

This also got me interested in psychology as a child, because I thought the whole notion of two sides of the same man duking it out was fascinating, to say the least.

Besides, Richard Pryor is a scream here, though what he does on the computer intuitively instead seems to be very close to what a skilled hacker can do today.

This film has one other great idea: Clarke should forget about Lois and start dating Liana. Liana is much sweeter, and unlike the Superman-obseesed Lois, Liana only wants her old friend, Clarke? And, she's smart enough NOT to put herself into deathtraps. ... Read more

Reviews (105)

FUNNIEST MOVIE MADE IN THE 1980'S
I LOVE THESE CRAZY GUYS, THEIR (PIPED IN) AIR GUITARS AND THE FUTURISTIC RELIGION THEY UNWITTINGLY ESTABLISH AS A RESULT OF THE MUSIC OF THEIR (VERY UNTALENTED) BAND-- THE WYLD STALLYNS!!! IT REALLY DOESN'T GET ANY FUNNIER THAN THIS!

UNDER PRESSURE OF FAILING HISTORY CLASS, AND HAVING TO ATTEND A MILITARY ACADEMY, BILL AND TED RUN HEADLONG INTO A GUARDIAN ANGEL FROM THE FUTURE, WHILE HANGING OUT AT THE LOCAL CIRCLE K, TRYING TO DECIDE HOW TO PASS THEIR CLASS. FROM THERE, THEY GO ON A MISSION IN A TIME-TRAVELING TELEPHONE BOOTH, WHICH TAKES THEM ALL THROUGH AN AMAZING VARIETY OF "HISTORICAL" TIMES AND PLACES, MEETING UP WITH SOME AWESOME "MEDIEVAL BABES" ALONG THE WAY. (THE "HISTORICAL BABES" END UP BECOMING THE NEXT TWO MEMBERS OF THE BAND WYLD STALLYNS IN THE END!!! HAHAHHA)

ON THEIR EXCELLENT ADVENTURE, THEY PICK UP NAPOLEAN, JOAN OF ARC, SOCRATES (THEY PRONOUCE IT "SO-KRATES"), BEETHOVEN, BILLY THE KID AND A FEW OTHER HILARIOUSLY UNSTUNNED HISTORICAL FIGURES, ALL OF WHOM TAKE THE JOURNEY AS THOUGH IT WAS NOTHING TOO OUT OF THE ORDINARY. (THIS, IN ITSELF, IS FUNNY!)

I WON'T GIVE AWAY THE ENDING, WHICH IS VERY FUN AND MAKES FOR A GREAT SHOW FOR BILL AND TED'S FELLOW-STUDENTS AND TEACHERS, WITH ALL OF THE HISTORICAL CHARACTERS ACTING OUT THEIR PARTS IN AN
"A-WINNING" SCHOOL PRESENTATION. BUT THE REAL FUNNY PART IS THE ADVENTURE ITSELF!!!

GOTTA SEEE THIS ONE!!!

Its about time! (Literally)
Finally, one of THE funniest movies ever made is coming to DVD. This is one of the movies that helped launch the career of now mega-star Keanu Reeves, and spawned a bunch of copy-cat movies like "Wayne's World" and "Dude, Where's MY Car?", but this was the original DUDE movie! Dim-witted high school friends Bill & Ted don't realize they are destined to be the great ones who will change the course of the world through their music, bringing about world peace (as well as clean air, and more excellent water slides than any other planet we communicate with!) Right now, they have to pass history! With help from cool futuristic dude Rufus and a time-travelling phone booth, they travel back in time to assemble the greatest historical figures for the greatest history report of all time! Its a hilarious romp through the past and present (and you may learn a thing or 2). Wyld Stallyns rules!

Misadventures In Time & Space
* BILL AND TED'S EXCELLENT ADVENTURE (B&TXA) is a low-budget,
derivative, silly film that shamelessly panders to its teen-age target
audience; it represents nothing new in film-making; and is blatantly
commercial.

I really liked it.

The plot is simple enough. Bill (Alex Winter) and Ted (Keanu Reaves)
are two California kids who want to become famous rock stars. There's
only one problem: they can't play their instruments. Well, actually,
there's two problems: they're both complete boneheads, and their
hardnosed history teacher tells them that if they *don't* pass their
oral history report, they *will* flunk out of school. This oral
report involves imagining what historical personages would've thought
of the present day and the local environment. Not too demanding, but
it's still above the ability of these two, and if they flunk, Ted's
sourpuss dad intends to send him off to a military academy in Alaska,
separating the two friends, probably forever.

Fortunately, the society of Earth 700 years from now has a special
interest in them, and an agent (George Carlin) is sent back in a time
machine (shaped like a phone booth -- a normal one, not an
old-fashioned British police box) to help out. So Bill and Ted have
in their hands the best possible tool for conducting hands-on
historical research.

This sounds silly, and it is, and all the unkind things I said above
about this movie are true. That leads to the question: What saves

B&TXA? Simple enough: Bill and Ted. These two guys don't look like
they have the collective mental energy to make a nightlight glow.
They don't actually have to *do* anything to be funny. You laugh at
them even if they're just *standing* there.

Though when push comes to shove, it turns out they can be quite
resourceful. Like a lot of teenagers, they just need to get
motivated. It's hard not to like them, since they're about as
good-natured kids as you're likely to find. Bill has the initiative,
willing to take risks without hesitation because he doesn't have a
clue of what he's getting into. Ted is a born romantic, a sweet-faced
kid who all the girls think is really cute. Any time he sees a
good-looking girl his heart leaps into his throat and stars flicker in
his eyes.

The story, like I said, is silly, but silliness is hardly a critical
term when applied to a comedy -- and it does have its moments, such as
Napoleon at the water slides, and Genghis Kahn ... well, I won't say
any more. It certainly does pander to teenagers: nearly all the
adults are creeps or morons, and the kids turn the tables on them in
the end -- but it also made me feel wistful. I didn't have fun being
a teenager and this film suggests to me in its own bizarre way that it
could've been more fun than it was. The only thing I can seriously
say against B&TXA was that by the time it was over I was glad I didn't
have to listen to "PARTY ON, DUDE!" and "EXCELLENT!" one more time.

BILL AND TED'S EXCELLENT ADVENTURE isn't the sort of thing that would
win awards, in fact nobody in their right mind would recommend it for
one. Some movies are like expensive dinners; others are like Big
Macs. But as Big Macs go, BILL AND TED'S EXCELLENT ADVENTURE tastes
good.

Oh, yeah, the usual cautions: No noticeable bad language, overt
sexual activity, or graphic violence (unless you are the sort of
person who feels that the Three Stooges are a bad influence on kids).
And definitely, absolutely not for people who are into serious cinema.
[Minor update of review from 1989 -- GVG]

Profound in a weird way
On one level, this is one of the silliest movies of all time. The humor is juvenile, and the teenage protagonists *seem* almost completely vacant-minded, their only goal to to start a great rock band, despite their complete inability to play their instruments. They end up on the most hilarious journey through time imaginable, with their 1990's San Dimas, CA sensibilities encountering such historic figures as "So-krates," "Joan of Arc," and Sigmund "Frood," all of whom end up wreaking havoc in a So. Calif. shopping mall. Bill and Ted are endearingly mindless, driven by hormones, and Ted remains Keanu Reeves's best role. The film has some of the funniest one-liners you'll want to add to your collection of quotations suitable to many daily occasions, and somehow there's a sweetness, innocence, and weird profundity to the whole adventure. It's also a multigenerational classic. I'm in my 40's, and my teenage children have been fans since elementary school as well and remain so. It's one of those films that whenever I mention it in a college classroom instantly elicits nods, smiles, and complicit laughs.

Good!
Bill & Ted's's Excellent Adventure is a funny movie that is enjoyable to watch and it was just a really cute movie and reminds me of other good time-travel movies like Time Bandits. Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter were really good and I also liked George Carlin and I recommend this movie. ... Read more

Reviews (105)

FUNNIEST MOVIE MADE IN THE 1980'S
I LOVE THESE CRAZY GUYS, THEIR (PIPED IN) AIR GUITARS AND THE FUTURISTIC RELIGION THEY UNWITTINGLY ESTABLISH AS A RESULT OF THE MUSIC OF THEIR (VERY UNTALENTED) BAND-- THE WYLD STALLYNS!!! IT REALLY DOESN'T GET ANY FUNNIER THAN THIS!

UNDER PRESSURE OF FAILING HISTORY CLASS, AND HAVING TO ATTEND A MILITARY ACADEMY, BILL AND TED RUN HEADLONG INTO A GUARDIAN ANGEL FROM THE FUTURE, WHILE HANGING OUT AT THE LOCAL CIRCLE K, TRYING TO DECIDE HOW TO PASS THEIR CLASS. FROM THERE, THEY GO ON A MISSION IN A TIME-TRAVELING TELEPHONE BOOTH, WHICH TAKES THEM ALL THROUGH AN AMAZING VARIETY OF "HISTORICAL" TIMES AND PLACES, MEETING UP WITH SOME AWESOME "MEDIEVAL BABES" ALONG THE WAY. (THE "HISTORICAL BABES" END UP BECOMING THE NEXT TWO MEMBERS OF THE BAND WYLD STALLYNS IN THE END!!! HAHAHHA)

ON THEIR EXCELLENT ADVENTURE, THEY PICK UP NAPOLEAN, JOAN OF ARC, SOCRATES (THEY PRONOUCE IT "SO-KRATES"), BEETHOVEN, BILLY THE KID AND A FEW OTHER HILARIOUSLY UNSTUNNED HISTORICAL FIGURES, ALL OF WHOM TAKE THE JOURNEY AS THOUGH IT WAS NOTHING TOO OUT OF THE ORDINARY. (THIS, IN ITSELF, IS FUNNY!)

I WON'T GIVE AWAY THE ENDING, WHICH IS VERY FUN AND MAKES FOR A GREAT SHOW FOR BILL AND TED'S FELLOW-STUDENTS AND TEACHERS, WITH ALL OF THE HISTORICAL CHARACTERS ACTING OUT THEIR PARTS IN AN
"A-WINNING" SCHOOL PRESENTATION. BUT THE REAL FUNNY PART IS THE ADVENTURE ITSELF!!!

GOTTA SEEE THIS ONE!!!

Its about time! (Literally)
Finally, one of THE funniest movies ever made is coming to DVD. This is one of the movies that helped launch the career of now mega-star Keanu Reeves, and spawned a bunch of copy-cat movies like "Wayne's World" and "Dude, Where's MY Car?", but this was the original DUDE movie! Dim-witted high school friends Bill & Ted don't realize they are destined to be the great ones who will change the course of the world through their music, bringing about world peace (as well as clean air, and more excellent water slides than any other planet we communicate with!) Right now, they have to pass history! With help from cool futuristic dude Rufus and a time-travelling phone booth, they travel back in time to assemble the greatest historical figures for the greatest history report of all time! Its a hilarious romp through the past and present (and you may learn a thing or 2). Wyld Stallyns rules!

Misadventures In Time & Space
* BILL AND TED'S EXCELLENT ADVENTURE (B&TXA) is a low-budget,
derivative, silly film that shamelessly panders to its teen-age target
audience; it represents nothing new in film-making; and is blatantly
commercial.

I really liked it.

The plot is simple enough. Bill (Alex Winter) and Ted (Keanu Reaves)
are two California kids who want to become famous rock stars. There's
only one problem: they can't play their instruments. Well, actually,
there's two problems: they're both complete boneheads, and their
hardnosed history teacher tells them that if they *don't* pass their
oral history report, they *will* flunk out of school. This oral
report involves imagining what historical personages would've thought
of the present day and the local environment. Not too demanding, but
it's still above the ability of these two, and if they flunk, Ted's
sourpuss dad intends to send him off to a military academy in Alaska,
separating the two friends, probably forever.

Fortunately, the society of Earth 700 years from now has a special
interest in them, and an agent (George Carlin) is sent back in a time
machine (shaped like a phone booth -- a normal one, not an
old-fashioned British police box) to help out. So Bill and Ted have
in their hands the best possible tool for conducting hands-on
historical research.

This sounds silly, and it is, and all the unkind things I said above
about this movie are true. That leads to the question: What saves

B&TXA? Simple enough: Bill and Ted. These two guys don't look like
they have the collective mental energy to make a nightlight glow.
They don't actually have to *do* anything to be funny. You laugh at
them even if they're just *standing* there.

Though when push comes to shove, it turns out they can be quite
resourceful. Like a lot of teenagers, they just need to get
motivated. It's hard not to like them, since they're about as
good-natured kids as you're likely to find. Bill has the initiative,
willing to take risks without hesitation because he doesn't have a
clue of what he's getting into. Ted is a born romantic, a sweet-faced
kid who all the girls think is really cute. Any time he sees a
good-looking girl his heart leaps into his throat and stars flicker in
his eyes.

The story, like I said, is silly, but silliness is hardly a critical
term when applied to a comedy -- and it does have its moments, such as
Napoleon at the water slides, and Genghis Kahn ... well, I won't say
any more. It certainly does pander to teenagers: nearly all the
adults are creeps or morons, and the kids turn the tables on them in
the end -- but it also made me feel wistful. I didn't have fun being
a teenager and this film suggests to me in its own bizarre way that it
could've been more fun than it was. The only thing I can seriously
say against B&TXA was that by the time it was over I was glad I didn't
have to listen to "PARTY ON, DUDE!" and "EXCELLENT!" one more time.

BILL AND TED'S EXCELLENT ADVENTURE isn't the sort of thing that would
win awards, in fact nobody in their right mind would recommend it for
one. Some movies are like expensive dinners; others are like Big
Macs. But as Big Macs go, BILL AND TED'S EXCELLENT ADVENTURE tastes
good.

Oh, yeah, the usual cautions: No noticeable bad language, overt
sexual activity, or graphic violence (unless you are the sort of
person who feels that the Three Stooges are a bad influence on kids).
And definitely, absolutely not for people who are into serious cinema.
[Minor update of review from 1989 -- GVG]

Profound in a weird way
On one level, this is one of the silliest movies of all time. The humor is juvenile, and the teenage protagonists *seem* almost completely vacant-minded, their only goal to to start a great rock band, despite their complete inability to play their instruments. They end up on the most hilarious journey through time imaginable, with their 1990's San Dimas, CA sensibilities encountering such historic figures as "So-krates," "Joan of Arc," and Sigmund "Frood," all of whom end up wreaking havoc in a So. Calif. shopping mall. Bill and Ted are endearingly mindless, driven by hormones, and Ted remains Keanu Reeves's best role. The film has some of the funniest one-liners you'll want to add to your collection of quotations suitable to many daily occasions, and somehow there's a sweetness, innocence, and weird profundity to the whole adventure. It's also a multigenerational classic. I'm in my 40's, and my teenage children have been fans since elementary school as well and remain so. It's one of those films that whenever I mention it in a college classroom instantly elicits nods, smiles, and complicit laughs.

Good!
Bill & Ted's's Excellent Adventure is a funny movie that is enjoyable to watch and it was just a really cute movie and reminds me of other good time-travel movies like Time Bandits. Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter were really good and I also liked George Carlin and I recommend this movie. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Guilty Pleasure or Just Good Shoot 'em Up?
Either way Let's Get Harry is a worthy time killer for your Sunday afternoon. Mark Harmon is an oilfield worker on an assignment South of the border when he gets kidnapped along with an American diplomat by narco-terrorists. When the US government fails to respond Harmon's siblings and friends decide to do the job themselves. To get the operation off the ground they need two things - money, provided by a car dealer who is also a Gung-Ho big game hunter, played by Gary Busey. They also need a professional soldier to show them the ins and outs, played by Robert Duvall. Busey figures since it's his money he should come along and it is the Busey and Duvall performances that mostly carry the film. This one sure isn't going to get any Oscars but you will get a kick out of it, I did.

One-liners flow as Busey and gang mount a rescue mission
It's a shame this video is no longer available in stores! I've only read poor reviews of this movie, but Gary Busey fans will delight at his most colourful characterisation of all time as car salesman Smilin' Jack Abernaugthy. A touch unbelievable at times - well maybe all the time - but delivers a fine serving of action. Robert Duval contributes his talents as the short-lived mercenary Shrike. We also discover that the would-be tough guy of group turns into a chicken when asked to kill.

Trust me, this one's a must for all B-grade action fans!

Glenn Frey heats up the jungle in this action-packed journey
"Let's Get Harry" is a one-way ticket to the jungles of Columbia! Action-packed plus humor! Glenn Frey soars as an actor! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Good Show
I really liked this movie. It's a good adventure story, with NO
swearing, or other questionable behaviour. Something pretty much everyone can watch. I wish there were a lot more of this type of films out there! ... Read more

Description

Follow-up to ' 'Cast A Deadly Spell' ' - the only private detective not to practice black magic in Hollywood is up against the murder of a multi-millionaire, an extreme political agenda, and some of the sleekest, darkest dames that black magic can conjure up. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Witch Hunt - a surreal look at L . A.
I originally saw this film on HBO, and was instantly riveted to it. It kind of reminds me of an offbeat version of L A Confidential, with all the elements of the 40's and such. I love L A Movies and the scenes here in this film depict much of the unusual architecture, and ambience, that encompass and make up this little "boulubaise" of cultures, and personalities. Besides starring Dennis Hopper, it also features Sheryl Lee Ralph, of dream girls fame, and the superb cameo, but nonetheless great acting of Lypsinka, as the the mysterious Madame, of the bordello. (Looking fabulous, I might add, in vintage Charles James Couture.............) I recommend buying it , and viewing it with friends, over some , sour apple martini's and appetizing shrimp hor'dourve. /the movie is a little offbeat, but that in itself is the appeal of this wonderful film.

Truly struck a chord with me
The first time I saw this movie was as a made for HBO movie, which is probably why most of my friends have not seen it as well as why it's so hard to find in video stores. As far as I can tell it borrows heavily from Robert Heinlein's "Magic, Inc.", but doesn't follow the plot just some of the plot elements. Would that someone would recreate "Magic, Inc." or "Waldo", or at least burn all copies of "Starship Troopers" and attempt to do tribute to the original. Why Hollywood believes that they are capable of improving on time worn classics is beyond me.

Set as a 50's type of Raymond Chandler detective story, it's richly told and tremendously riveting.

I recommend it highly to Dennis Hopper or Robert Heinlein fans that are familiar with some of Heinlein's early works (pre "Stranger in a Strange Land").

Why someone panned this film so harshly I can't possibly fathom.

wonderful work, a treasure
regardless of what that other guy says, I loved this movie, it was well made and has a wonderful cast. the character work in "Fin Moxa" is superb, and dennis hopper was fantastic, a must watch clasic...

I'm usually not so terse...
...but this movie was pretty stupid. I believe it was trying to be funny, but it was really hard to tell. I actually sat through the whole thing though. That's time I'll never get back... ... Read more

Reviews (106)

Disappointing.
Aside from Christopher Reeve's fine performance once again as Clark Kent/Superman, "Superman III" was a major disappointment back in 1983. I remember sitting in the theater as a 10-year-old and thinking, "Is that all there is?" Superman vs. a Supercomputer just cannot compare with him rescuing California from a major tectonic disaster or duking it out above Metropolis with three Kryptonian villains.

I also could never understand why the producers cast Richard Pryor. It's like he bumbled onto the set accidently from a different movie. He's a very talented comedian, yes, but exactly what audience were the Salkinds aiming for? I know I wasn't old enough then to see his concert movies or his vehicles with Gene Wilder. Mind boggling to me.

I missed the magic and awe I felt during the original film. I missed Lex Luthor's scheming ways. But mostly, I missed the witty relationship between Clark Kent/Superman and Lois Lane. Annette O'Toole is lovely, but her character simply wasn't as fun or interesting as the best girl reporter in Metropolis. With her husky voice and hilarious manic energy, Margot Kidder was absolutely perfect. Two small scenes were not enough.

I really don't like leaving negative reviews, but as a Superman purist, the only REAL Superman movie to see is the orginial. Richard Donner's vision for the film was flawless. The first sequel was fine, but it could have been sooo much better had Donner been allowed to finish (he was unjustly fired after the Salkinds worked him to the bone). Do yourself a favor... preorder SUPERMAN: THE MOVIE on DVD and enjoy!!

This Looks Like A Job For...Richard Pryor??
After getting off to a great start, the Superman film series, got muddled a bit by a director change while filming Superman II. Thanks to the fact that Creative Consultant Tom Mankiewicz's original story for the sequel stayed intact, despite all of the backstage hostility, Superman II still manages to work. Superman III, hovwever, is a whole nother matter entirely, with its own set of problems.

Gus Gorman (Richard Pryor) is a down on his luck computer genius, who is hired by Websco industries, to doa meanial data entry. Soon though Gus learns how to imbezzle large sums of money. When CEO Ross Webster (Robert Vaughn) finds this out, rather than send him to jail, Webster uses Gus and his computer skills to hold other competitors around the world at bay. Soon his plan becomes one of worldwide domination Superman (Christopher Reeve) tries to stop Webter and his cohorts in crime, but is halted by a synthetic chunck of Kryptonite, that turns the Man Of Steel against the planet he had sworn to protect.

Superman III took the series in a more comedic direction. From the farsical oppening credit sequence, to Pryor bumbling his way through one unfunny scene after another, It's sad to see a Superman film depart so drasticaly from what's come before and the comic book. Thanks to yet another dispute with producers Alexander and Ilya Salkind, the character of Lois Lane (Margot Kidder) is all but forgotten, save for a thankless, throwaway of a cameo. The action seems a bit silly, particularly at the end, as a super computer runs amok. For me, Reeve is the only thing about Superman III, that keeps it alive. Clearly director Richard Lester has it in for our hero, running him nearly into the ground. Superman III is more of a paraody, than a superhero flick.

The only extra on the DVD is the theatrical trailer.

I could have done with less comedy and moore of Reeve being...well...for lack of a better word super

You Will Believe Pryor Can Fly ...This Film Into the Ground!
When the movie poster first came out to promote SUPERMAN III with the illustration of Superman flying while carrying a distraught Richard Pryor, it was suspect. When the film was finally released, all suspicions were true. Director Richard Lester (A HARD DAY'S NIGHT)did such a great job on SUPERMAN II making it a straight action adventure film, but SUPERMAN III was just too campy. From the poster, we go to the opening credits. As they roll, a sequence of "Rube Goldberg", slapstick, domino-effect, accidents happen around a clueless Clark Kent walking through the streets of Metropolis. Somehow the audience knows that this is going to be a different Superman film. Richard Pryor (as Gus Gorman) is a computer whiz who is caught electronically embezzling from his conglomerate boss Robert Vaughn (Ross Webster). Instead of turning him in, Webster offers Gorman a job to help him rule the world by controlling a weather satellite (through Gorman's computer skills), and building a super computer. Superman gets in their way and they devise a plan to kill him with a bad batch of Kryptonite. Instead of killing him, the kryptonite turns Superman evil. He mostly flies around neglecting himself, the people of Metropolis (and of the world), and doing juvenile pranks (i.e. straightening out the Leaning Tower of Pisa). Richard Pryor is not bad in the film, but more of a distraction. The movie-going audience is not used to seeing him in this type of film. British comic actress Pamela Stephenson (whose talents were wasted during her one season on Saturday Night Live--was hardly used or seen in any sketches--but she was brilliantly hilarious on BBC's sketch comedy series NOT THE NINE O'CLOCK NEWS) is wasted and miscast in her role as Lorelei Ambrosia, Vaughn's/Webster's mistress. The special effects are decent for the pre-digital age. Some of the action sequences are excellent (i.e. when Superman has to fight the super computer). Also, the Smallville sequences with Clark Kent rekindling his frienship with Lana Lang (Annette O'Toole) are noteworthy. However, most of the film did not work due to the casting of Richard Pryor, other casting decisions, some cheesey sequences (some involving Pryor), and unnecessary humor! As John Lennon's appraisal of the Beatles' film HELP! (also directed by Lester) to paraphrase, "it was a movie about frogs with snakes in it!". That seems to be the case with SUPERMAN III.

Another Really Cheesy 1980s Movie!
Get "Superman III" and "Supergirl" by the Salkind folks and you'll have the cheesiest evening ever! In fact, Superman III nearly beats Supergirl in the "pure cheese" category. And if, like me, you're a fan of such movies, you'll absolutely love this DVD.

The story - Clark Kent/Superman goes back to Smallville for a school-reunion and meets up with a really lovely Lana Lang (Annette O'Toole). Unfortunately, there's this businessman and his bimbo girlfriend and his sister who hires Richard Pryor to mess up the world-weather (and Columbian coffee) with computers. Superman turns evil after touching some green crystal (Kryptonite mixed with tar) and gets drunk, then ends up sleeping with the aforementioned businessman's bimbo girlfriend and even pushes the Tower of Pisa straight. Finally, a supercomputer designed by Richard Pryor turns evil and transforms the aforementioned businessman's sister into an evil, mechanical sister. Superman fights them all with acid and then proceeds to make the Tower of Pisa a leaning tower again before soaring off triumphantly. Movie ends. Roll credit.

I hated this as a kid but watched it again last night and absolutely loved it. It's the nostalgia thing again. I knocked one star off my rating for it because there's this scene where Richard Pryor skies off a skyscraper, lands on the street and DID NOT die!

Superman can be better
Without Lex Luthor, this film rather suffers. But it was an attempt to create an original story instead of returning to the same old theme, which, let's be honest, can get exhausting.

This also got me interested in psychology as a child, because I thought the whole notion of two sides of the same man duking it out was fascinating, to say the least.

Besides, Richard Pryor is a scream here, though what he does on the computer intuitively instead seems to be very close to what a skilled hacker can do today.

This film has one other great idea: Clarke should forget about Lois and start dating Liana. Liana is much sweeter, and unlike the Superman-obseesed Lois, Liana only wants her old friend, Clarke? And, she's smart enough NOT to put herself into deathtraps. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A really intersting watch
Well, i have heard this movie descriped as "a scrappy little indie flick" many times. That is what it is. It's scrappy, and the plot isn't exactly new but the realationship between Michael Goorjian and Portia De Rossi on screen is really quite interesting. it's a story about two people changing each other and that's it. It's not about everlasting love or about relationships, its just about these two people and how they affect each other and it's really quite interesting the way it is produced. I happen to think the acting is quite good. I was a little worried about Portia De Rossi, but she definately held her own and was very charming. Michael Goorjian is one of those guys who oozes talent though i have to say i found it a little hard to buy that he was a drug addict....but that's just me.

Really interesting Idea
Ok, first off i would like to say as my disclaimer that i am an enormous Michael Goorjian fan, which is how i found this movie. Lame, yes, i know. I happened to really really enjoy this movie. It's independent and not perfect, but i happen to adore independent flims in general. The style that they filmed it in is black and white and very grainy looking. It's a really nice effect. The ending is satisfying but not all "oh beautiful love lasts forever" because that's not what the movie is about. It's just a reall interesting look at how two people can affect each other for just a period of time in their lives and how Fame messes up the lives of those who partake in it. Some of the stuff that it talks about is a little trite and obvious, but that doesn't stop the whole production from being interesting and intruiging. ... Read more

Reviews (212)

Suprise Surprise
Like many people out there I avoided this movie while it was in theaters. The media tore this film to pieces before moviegoers even had a chance to check it out. Also like many others I rented this movie because of how 'awful' it was said to be. I have to admit that I enjoyed this movie very much. I guess I dont understand why people say the script doesn't make any sense...it was pretty cut and dry. The characters all provided a comedic value, and I thought Ben and Jennifer did an excellent job. I'm not really a fan of Jen, but I even found her great in this movie. This is hardly the worst movie of the year, and I can think of a number of movies that are worse than Gigli. I wasn't expecting an oscar award winning film...it's made for you to relax, laugh, and have a good time. If the critics negetive reviews would not have so heavily saturated the movie market, I think this movie would have done much better in the box office. I suggest people give it a chance with an open mind, rather than having their minds set on hating the movie.

better than hustle and heat
yes this movie was alot more better than hustle and heat. since vivica a fox's acting isn't as good as her prior movies.

it ain't the worst
what the critics were saying claiming that this movie was the worst of 2003 is false. this movie really was good. since this movie has superb acting from ben affleck and the whole movie is funny and clever.

whoa
oh snap this movie is one of the best i have ever seen. since the acting from this movie is outstanding.

better than scream 2
this movie was ten times better than scream 2. since the acting from that movie is wack. ... Read more

Reviews (105)

FUNNIEST MOVIE MADE IN THE 1980'S
I LOVE THESE CRAZY GUYS, THEIR (PIPED IN) AIR GUITARS AND THE FUTURISTIC RELIGION THEY UNWITTINGLY ESTABLISH AS A RESULT OF THE MUSIC OF THEIR (VERY UNTALENTED) BAND-- THE WYLD STALLYNS!!! IT REALLY DOESN'T GET ANY FUNNIER THAN THIS!

UNDER PRESSURE OF FAILING HISTORY CLASS, AND HAVING TO ATTEND A MILITARY ACADEMY, BILL AND TED RUN HEADLONG INTO A GUARDIAN ANGEL FROM THE FUTURE, WHILE HANGING OUT AT THE LOCAL CIRCLE K, TRYING TO DECIDE HOW TO PASS THEIR CLASS. FROM THERE, THEY GO ON A MISSION IN A TIME-TRAVELING TELEPHONE BOOTH, WHICH TAKES THEM ALL THROUGH AN AMAZING VARIETY OF "HISTORICAL" TIMES AND PLACES, MEETING UP WITH SOME AWESOME "MEDIEVAL BABES" ALONG THE WAY. (THE "HISTORICAL BABES" END UP BECOMING THE NEXT TWO MEMBERS OF THE BAND WYLD STALLYNS IN THE END!!! HAHAHHA)

ON THEIR EXCELLENT ADVENTURE, THEY PICK UP NAPOLEAN, JOAN OF ARC, SOCRATES (THEY PRONOUCE IT "SO-KRATES"), BEETHOVEN, BILLY THE KID AND A FEW OTHER HILARIOUSLY UNSTUNNED HISTORICAL FIGURES, ALL OF WHOM TAKE THE JOURNEY AS THOUGH IT WAS NOTHING TOO OUT OF THE ORDINARY. (THIS, IN ITSELF, IS FUNNY!)

I WON'T GIVE AWAY THE ENDING, WHICH IS VERY FUN AND MAKES FOR A GREAT SHOW FOR BILL AND TED'S FELLOW-STUDENTS AND TEACHERS, WITH ALL OF THE HISTORICAL CHARACTERS ACTING OUT THEIR PARTS IN AN
"A-WINNING" SCHOOL PRESENTATION. BUT THE REAL FUNNY PART IS THE ADVENTURE ITSELF!!!

GOTTA SEEE THIS ONE!!!

Its about time! (Literally)
Finally, one of THE funniest movies ever made is coming to DVD. This is one of the movies that helped launch the career of now mega-star Keanu Reeves, and spawned a bunch of copy-cat movies like "Wayne's World" and "Dude, Where's MY Car?", but this was the original DUDE movie! Dim-witted high school friends Bill & Ted don't realize they are destined to be the great ones who will change the course of the world through their music, bringing about world peace (as well as clean air, and more excellent water slides than any other planet we communicate with!) Right now, they have to pass history! With help from cool futuristic dude Rufus and a time-travelling phone booth, they travel back in time to assemble the greatest historical figures for the greatest history report of all time! Its a hilarious romp through the past and present (and you may learn a thing or 2). Wyld Stallyns rules!

Misadventures In Time & Space
* BILL AND TED'S EXCELLENT ADVENTURE (B&TXA) is a low-budget,
derivative, silly film that shamelessly panders to its teen-age target
audience; it represents nothing new in film-making; and is blatantly
commercial.

I really liked it.

The plot is simple enough. Bill (Alex Winter) and Ted (Keanu Reaves)
are two California kids who want to become famous rock stars. There's
only one problem: they can't play their instruments. Well, actually,
there's two problems: they're both complete boneheads, and their
hardnosed history teacher tells them that if they *don't* pass their
oral history report, they *will* flunk out of school. This oral
report involves imagining what historical personages would've thought
of the present day and the local environment. Not too demanding, but
it's still above the ability of these two, and if they flunk, Ted's
sourpuss dad intends to send him off to a military academy in Alaska,
separating the two friends, probably forever.

Fortunately, the society of Earth 700 years from now has a special
interest in them, and an agent (George Carlin) is sent back in a time
machine (shaped like a phone booth -- a normal one, not an
old-fashioned British police box) to help out. So Bill and Ted have
in their hands the best possible tool for conducting hands-on
historical research.

This sounds silly, and it is, and all the unkind things I said above
about this movie are true. That leads to the question: What saves

B&TXA? Simple enough: Bill and Ted. These two guys don't look like
they have the collective mental energy to make a nightlight glow.
They don't actually have to *do* anything to be funny. You laugh at
them even if they're just *standing* there.

Though when push comes to shove, it turns out they can be quite
resourceful. Like a lot of teenagers, they just need to get
motivated. It's hard not to like them, since they're about as
good-natured kids as you're likely to find. Bill has the initiative,
willing to take risks without hesitation because he doesn't have a
clue of what he's getting into. Ted is a born romantic, a sweet-faced
kid who all the girls think is really cute. Any time he sees a
good-looking girl his heart leaps into his throat and stars flicker in
his eyes.

The story, like I said, is silly, but silliness is hardly a critical
term when applied to a comedy -- and it does have its moments, such as
Napoleon at the water slides, and Genghis Kahn ... well, I won't say
any more. It certainly does pander to teenagers: nearly all the
adults are creeps or morons, and the kids turn the tables on them in
the end -- but it also made me feel wistful. I didn't have fun being
a teenager and this film suggests to me in its own bizarre way that it
could've been more fun than it was. The only thing I can seriously
say against B&TXA was that by the time it was over I was glad I didn't
have to listen to "PARTY ON, DUDE!" and "EXCELLENT!" one more time.

BILL AND TED'S EXCELLENT ADVENTURE isn't the sort of thing that would
win awards, in fact nobody in their right mind would recommend it for
one. Some movies are like expensive dinners; others are like Big
Macs. But as Big Macs go, BILL AND TED'S EXCELLENT ADVENTURE tastes
good.

Oh, yeah, the usual cautions: No noticeable bad language, overt
sexual activity, or graphic violence (unless you are the sort of
person who feels that the Three Stooges are a bad influence on kids).
And definitely, absolutely not for people who are into serious cinema.
[Minor update of review from 1989 -- GVG]

Profound in a weird way
On one level, this is one of the silliest movies of all time. The humor is juvenile, and the teenage protagonists *seem* almost completely vacant-minded, their only goal to to start a great rock band, despite their complete inability to play their instruments. They end up on the most hilarious journey through time imaginable, with their 1990's San Dimas, CA sensibilities encountering such historic figures as "So-krates," "Joan of Arc," and Sigmund "Frood," all of whom end up wreaking havoc in a So. Calif. shopping mall. Bill and Ted are endearingly mindless, driven by hormones, and Ted remains Keanu Reeves's best role. The film has some of the funniest one-liners you'll want to add to your collection of quotations suitable to many daily occasions, and somehow there's a sweetness, innocence, and weird profundity to the whole adventure. It's also a multigenerational classic. I'm in my 40's, and my teenage children have been fans since elementary school as well and remain so. It's one of those films that whenever I mention it in a college classroom instantly elicits nods, smiles, and complicit laughs.

Good!
Bill & Ted's's Excellent Adventure is a funny movie that is enjoyable to watch and it was just a really cute movie and reminds me of other good time-travel movies like Time Bandits. Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter were really good and I also liked George Carlin and I recommend this movie. ... Read more

Reviews (212)

Suprise Surprise
Like many people out there I avoided this movie while it was in theaters. The media tore this film to pieces before moviegoers even had a chance to check it out. Also like many others I rented this movie because of how 'awful' it was said to be. I have to admit that I enjoyed this movie very much. I guess I dont understand why people say the script doesn't make any sense...it was pretty cut and dry. The characters all provided a comedic value, and I thought Ben and Jennifer did an excellent job. I'm not really a fan of Jen, but I even found her great in this movie. This is hardly the worst movie of the year, and I can think of a number of movies that are worse than Gigli. I wasn't expecting an oscar award winning film...it's made for you to relax, laugh, and have a good time. If the critics negetive reviews would not have so heavily saturated the movie market, I think this movie would have done much better in the box office. I suggest people give it a chance with an open mind, rather than having their minds set on hating the movie.

better than hustle and heat
yes this movie was alot more better than hustle and heat. since vivica a fox's acting isn't as good as her prior movies.

it ain't the worst
what the critics were saying claiming that this movie was the worst of 2003 is false. this movie really was good. since this movie has superb acting from ben affleck and the whole movie is funny and clever.

whoa
oh snap this movie is one of the best i have ever seen. since the acting from this movie is outstanding.

better than scream 2
this movie was ten times better than scream 2. since the acting from that movie is wack. ... Read more

Reviews (106)

Disappointing.
Aside from Christopher Reeve's fine performance once again as Clark Kent/Superman, "Superman III" was a major disappointment back in 1983. I remember sitting in the theater as a 10-year-old and thinking, "Is that all there is?" Superman vs. a Supercomputer just cannot compare with him rescuing California from a major tectonic disaster or duking it out above Metropolis with three Kryptonian villains.

I also could never understand why the producers cast Richard Pryor. It's like he bumbled onto the set accidently from a different movie. He's a very talented comedian, yes, but exactly what audience were the Salkinds aiming for? I know I wasn't old enough then to see his concert movies or his vehicles with Gene Wilder. Mind boggling to me.

I missed the magic and awe I felt during the original film. I missed Lex Luthor's scheming ways. But mostly, I missed the witty relationship between Clark Kent/Superman and Lois Lane. Annette O'Toole is lovely, but her character simply wasn't as fun or interesting as the best girl reporter in Metropolis. With her husky voice and hilarious manic energy, Margot Kidder was absolutely perfect. Two small scenes were not enough.

I really don't like leaving negative reviews, but as a Superman purist, the only REAL Superman movie to see is the orginial. Richard Donner's vision for the film was flawless. The first sequel was fine, but it could have been sooo much better had Donner been allowed to finish (he was unjustly fired after the Salkinds worked him to the bone). Do yourself a favor... preorder SUPERMAN: THE MOVIE on DVD and enjoy!!

This Looks Like A Job For...Richard Pryor??
After getting off to a great start, the Superman film series, got muddled a bit by a director change while filming Superman II. Thanks to the fact that Creative Consultant Tom Mankiewicz's original story for the sequel stayed intact, despite all of the backstage hostility, Superman II still manages to work. Superman III, hovwever, is a whole nother matter entirely, with its own set of problems.

Gus Gorman (Richard Pryor) is a down on his luck computer genius, who is hired by Websco industries, to doa meanial data entry. Soon though Gus learns how to imbezzle large sums of money. When CEO Ross Webster (Robert Vaughn) finds this out, rather than send him to jail, Webster uses Gus and his computer skills to hold other competitors around the world at bay. Soon his plan becomes one of worldwide domination Superman (Christopher Reeve) tries to stop Webter and his cohorts in crime, but is halted by a synthetic chunck of Kryptonite, that turns the Man Of Steel against the planet he had sworn to protect.

Superman III took the series in a more comedic direction. From the farsical oppening credit sequence, to Pryor bumbling his way through one unfunny scene after another, It's sad to see a Superman film depart so drasticaly from what's come before and the comic book. Thanks to yet another dispute with producers Alexander and Ilya Salkind, the character of Lois Lane (Margot Kidder) is all but forgotten, save for a thankless, throwaway of a cameo. The action seems a bit silly, particularly at the end, as a super computer runs amok. For me, Reeve is the only thing about Superman III, that keeps it alive. Clearly director Richard Lester has it in for our hero, running him nearly into the ground. Superman III is more of a paraody, than a superhero flick.

The only extra on the DVD is the theatrical trailer.

I could have done with less comedy and moore of Reeve being...well...for lack of a better word super

You Will Believe Pryor Can Fly ...This Film Into the Ground!
When the movie poster first came out to promote SUPERMAN III with the illustration of Superman flying while carrying a distraught Richard Pryor, it was suspect. When the film was finally released, all suspicions were true. Director Richard Lester (A HARD DAY'S NIGHT)did such a great job on SUPERMAN II making it a straight action adventure film, but SUPERMAN III was just too campy. From the poster, we go to the opening credits. As they roll, a sequence of "Rube Goldberg", slapstick, domino-effect, accidents happen around a clueless Clark Kent walking through the streets of Metropolis. Somehow the audience knows that this is going to be a different Superman film. Richard Pryor (as Gus Gorman) is a computer whiz who is caught electronically embezzling from his conglomerate boss Robert Vaughn (Ross Webster). Instead of turning him in, Webster offers Gorman a job to help him rule the world by controlling a weather satellite (through Gorman's computer skills), and building a super computer. Superman gets in their way and they devise a plan to kill him with a bad batch of Kryptonite. Instead of killing him, the kryptonite turns Superman evil. He mostly flies around neglecting himself, the people of Metropolis (and of the world), and doing juvenile pranks (i.e. straightening out the Leaning Tower of Pisa). Richard Pryor is not bad in the film, but more of a distraction. The movie-going audience is not used to seeing him in this type of film. British comic actress Pamela Stephenson (whose talents were wasted during her one season on Saturday Night Live--was hardly used or seen in any sketches--but she was brilliantly hilarious on BBC's sketch comedy series NOT THE NINE O'CLOCK NEWS) is wasted and miscast in her role as Lorelei Ambrosia, Vaughn's/Webster's mistress. The special effects are decent for the pre-digital age. Some of the action sequences are excellent (i.e. when Superman has to fight the super computer). Also, the Smallville sequences with Clark Kent rekindling his frienship with Lana Lang (Annette O'Toole) are noteworthy. However, most of the film did not work due to the casting of Richard Pryor, other casting decisions, some cheesey sequences (some involving Pryor), and unnecessary humor! As John Lennon's appraisal of the Beatles' film HELP! (also directed by Lester) to paraphrase, "it was a movie about frogs with snakes in it!". That seems to be the case with SUPERMAN III.

Another Really Cheesy 1980s Movie!
Get "Superman III" and "Supergirl" by the Salkind folks and you'll have the cheesiest evening ever! In fact, Superman III nearly beats Supergirl in the "pure cheese" category. And if, like me, you're a fan of such movies, you'll absolutely love this DVD.

The story - Clark Kent/Superman goes back to Smallville for a school-reunion and meets up with a really lovely Lana Lang (Annette O'Toole). Unfortunately, there's this businessman and his bimbo girlfriend and his sister who hires Richard Pryor to mess up the world-weather (and Columbian coffee) with computers. Superman turns evil after touching some green crystal (Kryptonite mixed with tar) and gets drunk, then ends up sleeping with the aforementioned businessman's bimbo girlfriend and even pushes the Tower of Pisa straight. Finally, a supercomputer designed by Richard Pryor turns evil and transforms the aforementioned businessman's sister into an evil, mechanical sister. Superman fights them all with acid and then proceeds to make the Tower of Pisa a leaning tower again before soaring off triumphantly. Movie ends. Roll credit.

I hated this as a kid but watched it again last night and absolutely loved it. It's the nostalgia thing again. I knocked one star off my rating for it because there's this scene where Richard Pryor skies off a skyscraper, lands on the street and DID NOT die!

Superman can be better
Without Lex Luthor, this film rather suffers. But it was an attempt to create an original story instead of returning to the same old theme, which, let's be honest, can get exhausting.

This also got me interested in psychology as a child, because I thought the whole notion of two sides of the same man duking it out was fascinating, to say the least.

Besides, Richard Pryor is a scream here, though what he does on the computer intuitively instead seems to be very close to what a skilled hacker can do today.

This film has one other great idea: Clarke should forget about Lois and start dating Liana. Liana is much sweeter, and unlike the Superman-obseesed Lois, Liana only wants her old friend, Clarke? And, she's smart enough NOT to put herself into deathtraps. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Film's Title Did it a Serious Injustice
Apparently, when this film was named, Peter Weir, etc., either didn't mean for people to take it literally, or they DID mean it, and wanted to draw a larger crowd. But, if you're looking for a movie about killer cars that literally eat people in Paris, France, STAY AWAY FROM THIS MOVIE.
Now, for the rest of you, if you like quirky, dark comedies set in Australian small towns, this may be for you. The humor can be a bit esoteric for non-Australians, but the film has its universally good moments -- especially the powerful ending. It's too bad the title was misunderstood as humor, because the movie's not bad at all.

AN OK MOVIE
THE CARS THAT ATE PARIS IS NOT A HORROR MOVIE. ITS REALLY ABOUT POOR PEOPLE IN PARIS, AUSTRALIA. THE WHOLE PLOT OF IT IS A FAMILY CAUSES CAR ACCIDENTS SO THEY CAN SELL THE CAR PARTS IN JUNKYARDS FOR CASH. THE SOUNDTRACK IS PRETTY GOOD FOR A B MOVIE AND THE PLOT IS ALRIGHT, BUT I RECCOMEND THIS MOVIE ONLY FOR PEOPLE WHO LIKE BAD ACTING AND CORNY JOKES.

Quintessential Australian Gothic
If this is not the picture that actually launched the Australian Gothic genre of the New Wave from Down Under, then I'd like to know which picture did. Weir's early work is bound to be a cult classic, and a great primer in all the elements that have come to define the Australian Gothic. Every great Australian movie has begun with a car accident; ever wonder why? This picture may have set the pace for all that came after. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Good Show
I really liked this movie. It's a good adventure story, with NO
swearing, or other questionable behaviour. Something pretty much everyone can watch. I wish there were a lot more of this type of films out there! ... Read more

Reviews (212)

Suprise Surprise
Like many people out there I avoided this movie while it was in theaters. The media tore this film to pieces before moviegoers even had a chance to check it out. Also like many others I rented this movie because of how 'awful' it was said to be. I have to admit that I enjoyed this movie very much. I guess I dont understand why people say the script doesn't make any sense...it was pretty cut and dry. The characters all provided a comedic value, and I thought Ben and Jennifer did an excellent job. I'm not really a fan of Jen, but I even found her great in this movie. This is hardly the worst movie of the year, and I can think of a number of movies that are worse than Gigli. I wasn't expecting an oscar award winning film...it's made for you to relax, laugh, and have a good time. If the critics negetive reviews would not have so heavily saturated the movie market, I think this movie would have done much better in the box office. I suggest people give it a chance with an open mind, rather than having their minds set on hating the movie.

better than hustle and heat
yes this movie was alot more better than hustle and heat. since vivica a fox's acting isn't as good as her prior movies.

it ain't the worst
what the critics were saying claiming that this movie was the worst of 2003 is false. this movie really was good. since this movie has superb acting from ben affleck and the whole movie is funny and clever.

whoa
oh snap this movie is one of the best i have ever seen. since the acting from this movie is outstanding.

better than scream 2
this movie was ten times better than scream 2. since the acting from that movie is wack. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Film's Title Did it a Serious Injustice
Apparently, when this film was named, Peter Weir, etc., either didn't mean for people to take it literally, or they DID mean it, and wanted to draw a larger crowd. But, if you're looking for a movie about killer cars that literally eat people in Paris, France, STAY AWAY FROM THIS MOVIE.
Now, for the rest of you, if you like quirky, dark comedies set in Australian small towns, this may be for you. The humor can be a bit esoteric for non-Australians, but the film has its universally good moments -- especially the powerful ending. It's too bad the title was misunderstood as humor, because the movie's not bad at all.

AN OK MOVIE
THE CARS THAT ATE PARIS IS NOT A HORROR MOVIE. ITS REALLY ABOUT POOR PEOPLE IN PARIS, AUSTRALIA. THE WHOLE PLOT OF IT IS A FAMILY CAUSES CAR ACCIDENTS SO THEY CAN SELL THE CAR PARTS IN JUNKYARDS FOR CASH. THE SOUNDTRACK IS PRETTY GOOD FOR A B MOVIE AND THE PLOT IS ALRIGHT, BUT I RECCOMEND THIS MOVIE ONLY FOR PEOPLE WHO LIKE BAD ACTING AND CORNY JOKES.

Quintessential Australian Gothic
If this is not the picture that actually launched the Australian Gothic genre of the New Wave from Down Under, then I'd like to know which picture did. Weir's early work is bound to be a cult classic, and a great primer in all the elements that have come to define the Australian Gothic. Every great Australian movie has begun with a car accident; ever wonder why? This picture may have set the pace for all that came after. ... Read more

Reviews (212)

Suprise Surprise
Like many people out there I avoided this movie while it was in theaters. The media tore this film to pieces before moviegoers even had a chance to check it out. Also like many others I rented this movie because of how 'awful' it was said to be. I have to admit that I enjoyed this movie very much. I guess I dont understand why people say the script doesn't make any sense...it was pretty cut and dry. The characters all provided a comedic value, and I thought Ben and Jennifer did an excellent job. I'm not really a fan of Jen, but I even found her great in this movie. This is hardly the worst movie of the year, and I can think of a number of movies that are worse than Gigli. I wasn't expecting an oscar award winning film...it's made for you to relax, laugh, and have a good time. If the critics negetive reviews would not have so heavily saturated the movie market, I think this movie would have done much better in the box office. I suggest people give it a chance with an open mind, rather than having their minds set on hating the movie.

better than hustle and heat
yes this movie was alot more better than hustle and heat. since vivica a fox's acting isn't as good as her prior movies.

it ain't the worst
what the critics were saying claiming that this movie was the worst of 2003 is false. this movie really was good. since this movie has superb acting from ben affleck and the whole movie is funny and clever.

whoa
oh snap this movie is one of the best i have ever seen. since the acting from this movie is outstanding.

better than scream 2
this movie was ten times better than scream 2. since the acting from that movie is wack. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

The Fraternity of the Who Done It
As an armored car rolls over the iconic Sydney harbor bridge Bruce Beresford establishes the location for what is otherwise a non site-specific heist story that attempts to quell the omnipresence of urban malaise. Quickly paced cross cutting alludes to the monetary volume of the armored car's destination, a security firm owned by Lionel Darcy (Frank Wilson). Who doesn't want a piece of that action? Immediately, the viewer is oriented with the network involved in the movement of Australian currency and, subsequently, the number of hands the bills pass through. Laundering beckons.

A screenplay loosely based on the 1972 work of Donald Minchin, Beresford blends the framework with a true crime story, credited in the opening sequence. The camera meanders through the blue-collar operation floor and driver's depot to settle behind the closed doors of the technocrats. After being shaken down by local crooked cop Sammy Rose (Alan Cassell), Lionel Darcy receives an anonymous tip from his object of a secretary, a warning that his firm is soon to be hit, worrying more than just the boss.

Eric Jackson (Terence Donovon) his brother Brian (Brian Brown) and a mate (who could be mistaken as their father) Ed Gallagher (Ray Marshall) have been planning an inside job for almost five years. These Ockers aren't going allow some "poof" to rock up asking where his piece is? They have their own suspicions regarding the culprit, new employee Leo Bassett (Tony Bonner). The amateur sleuths plan to initiate the rookie as means to their own ends, a true mask for self-interest.
Other than Beresford's introduction to operations and interest groups, there exists no further marring of public and private, each character riddled with the presence of corruption. Any further duality is developed through action, the result governing over whether he becomes victimized or acts as victimizer.

The first "action" is a mob hit on a Darcy's armored car, fisticuffs ending in a shotgun blast so visceral, it alone warrants the 18+ rating. Was it the mob that sent the letter? When the press gets word of the heist, the ensuing public relations blunders solidify the ineptness of corporate crisis management, foreshadowing further assaults on the company. Local crime boss Jack Henderson (Charles 'Bud' Tingwell) obviously wants a piece of the action. The Ockers have spent so much time planning that they rebuilt a custom armored car for heist day. What about they new guy? The fraternity amongst interest groups ranges from professional to amateur, each camp knowing full well that "if someone was to rip the joint off if would be done from the inside."

Beresford deconstructs the effects of money and subsequence on business, personal and family relations and presents it in a classic plot design that makes the stigma of the "who done it" malleable. Money Movers asks who's going to do it?
"I remember that one," says Brian Brown. "I had done a couple of movies, and got to read the part for the cop, but knew I wasn't anything like him." Asking which part he preferred Brian told Bruce that he "...could play the brother, but I knew it had been cast. It had been cast." Two hours later Brian got his wish, cast as Brian Jackson, along side Terence Donovan, the brother to the leading role. "I was young, too much of a kid play the gritty cop, but the brother," remembers Brian, "I could do that."

The official line on Money Movers has tended to focus the fraternity between male characters and "their" women; secondary objects who legitimize their function by getting coffee or being a lamb and leaving the room when business is on the table. It appears as if little within the genre, certainly in terms of gender relations, has been revised in the last twenty years. David Caesar recalls that like most heist or crime genre films, "...it's important not to pretend otherwise, it's a guys film. Money Movers is a good film, an underrated film that not enough Australian's have seen." The fraternity in Money Movers, the "boys club" mentality, has acted as a catalyst for many of the generic successes that are popular today.

Watching Money Movers is only possible on VHS at this point. Its structure popularized the Australian crime film with undertones present in Hollywood films such as Michael Mann's Thief, 1981. Money Movers houses a subtext that most viewers can relate to, which is why a reprise warrants further research. Wouldn't it be nice to have all that money? How would my life be different...surely for the better? Bruce Beresford showed, with eloquence, how this idealism could backfire, without the cynicism often associated with the down and out, or the stereotypes of big business or organized crime. As such the film is an important landmark on Australian cinematic spectrum for, as Brian Brown concludes "it was a fun movie to do, and now that we are doing quite a few crime genre movies like Chopper and Dirty Deeds, it was really Money Movers that first put us into that sort of territory."

Brian Brown and David Caesar interview by Ashley Allinson on September 11, 2002 in Toronto.

Running Time: 94 minutes
Video Release: July 2, 1991
Distributed by: Roadshow, Imperial Entertainment Corporation

Cast:
Terence Donovon: Eric Jackson
Ed Devereaux: Dick Martin
Tony Bonner: Leo Bassett
Lucky Grills: Robert Conway
Alan Cassell: Sammy Ross
Frank Wilson: Lionel Darcy
Candy Raymod: Mindel Seagers
Bryan Brown: Brain Jackson

Crew:
Bruce Beresford: Director
Matthew Carrol: Producer
Donald McAlpine: Director of Photography
David Copping: Art Editor
William Anderson: Editor ... Read more