Reviews (100)

Sequal bites the BIG one!
This movie proves, once again, that the sequal never lives up to the original. The Klumps, trying to ride on the tails of its predecessor, attempts to give the one-dimensional Klump family a second dimension to their characters. FAILED! While the movie is very funny (why it got a second star in my opinion), it tried to take on a more serious family aspect which left the film dragging slowly to the next punch-line delivered by Eddie Murphy in any of his hilarious disguises. If you want a funny movie, I suggest going with the first Nutty Professor where the one-sided Klumps are more suited for their roles, though less present in the overall story line. If you're an avid fan of Grandma Klump and her "Cletus-cutdowns," then this is your movie... though I could have done without seeing her making moves on Buddy Love. Enjoy your movie experience! :)

it was alright
Eddie Murphy is the king of comedy, and janet is the queen of pop, excellent combination right? It somewhat works here, but the only problem is that though janet shows promise in acting, she doesn't really have a role in this film that seperates the musician from the actress, Denise Gaines doesn't have much of a personality other than clinging to Sherman and flaunting her beautiful smile. I really think she was great on Good Times and Different Strokes back in the day and the Lena Horne movie she was supposed to do looked promising, but it got scrapped. I love the theme Doesn't Really Matter that was written and sung by janet and it was nice hearing it in the movie and soundtrack, it was a big summer hit, hitting #1 for 3 weeks. Eddie Murphy on the other hand is hilarious throughout the whole movie and he beautifully plays different roles of the Klump family, each one showing a different and humorous personality. The grandma one was my favourite. I didn't think all of the jokes in the film were funny, but there were some scenes in the movie that were childish yet extremely hilarious that had me laughing the loudest in the theater.

I think the first one is better, but if you're interested in getting to know the other Klump family members more, you may want to check this out. And also if you like janet jackson, you'll want to see this, but don't expect another role like the one she had in Poetic Justice.

FUNNY!
First of all, this movie is VERY funny! Its even funnier than the first film!

Whats even better, is how much the family gets involved in this movie (Eddie Murphy plays all 7 charcters!)

You can't even tell that the family is all the same actor, they all seem different.

get this movie! its funny as hell!

terribly disappointing
I, and my family, had high hopes for this film. We had really enjoyed the first Nutty Professor movie. This sequel, however, is a truly awful movie. The plot is a totally confusing mess.
The humor is missing and in its place is a huge amount of farting and cursing and potty-mouthed, potty-minded crap. The language is terrible and I really didn't want my kids to see the shots of swinging breasts and bulging erections. As a family film it is completely inappropriate. As a movie in general, it is utterly unfunny and pretty much a total bomb.

The worst movie EVER
I couldn't believe my eyes and ears, at the beginning, at the altar, when Eddie Murphy's head comes out of his zipper, I couldn't believe how awful it was. AND it sets the tone for the whole movie. Bad taste galore, the worst kind, and it's not the least bit funny. The family monologues aren't the worst (never heard anything unfunnier), and then of course the fart-jokes,
Really, movie-making has never sunk any lower.
I'd say this is the most vulgar thing ever seen on tv, and that's counting the Osbournes! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Hit man Martin Q. Blank (John Cusack) is in an awkward situation. Several of them, actually. He's attending his high school reunion on an assignment; he's got a rival hit man (Dan Aykroyd) on his tail; and he's going to have to explain to his old girlfriend (Minnie Driver) why he stood her up on prom night. This amiable black comedy, cowritten by Cusack and directed by Jonathan Demme protégé George Armitage (Miami Blues), has the feel of Demme's Something Wild and Married to the Mob--which is to say its humor is dark and brightly colored at the same time. Cusack and Driver are utterly charming--as is the leading man's sister, Joan, who plays his secretary. (Ms. Cusack received an Oscar nomination for her next role, in In & Out.) Alan Arkin is also very funny as Martin's psychiatrist. --Jim Emerson ... Read more

Reviews (131)

Great Movie, terrible DVD
Grosse Pointe Blank is an unusual movie. A professional hitman returns to his hometown to "do a job" and, while he's there, attend his 10 year highschool reunion. John Cusack plays the role well, charming and remarkably likeable, despite his profession. This "dark comedy" is very clever, and I rate it as one my favorite 90's films.

Too bad the DVD isn't up to par. It has next to zero extras. But even that could be passable if the picture was good. First of all, the movie is non-anamorphic. That doesn't make a difference unless you have a 16x9 television, it'll look the same on a regular tv, it's just a pet peeve of mine. But, the transfer we did get is just pathetic; it looks like a (bad) laser disc transfer. The picture is grainy, and there are some definite compression artifacts to been seen.

Bottom line: this DVD is worth buying for the movie, no doubt... and since this is the only version available, it's this or nothing. Just don't expect a really terrific picture.

Pure genius starring John Cusack
Martin Q. Blank is a hitman about to attend his 10-year high school reunion and face the prom date he ditched a decade ago. He has people out to kill him as he returns to Grosse Point, MI to attend these festivities and revisit his past.

His childhood home is now a quickie-mart, where there is a massive shoot-out (I love that the bullets hit a cut-out of the stars of "Pulp Fiction", a movie rife with shoot-outs.) When Martin asks the store clerk is all right, he yells "NO! I'm scared, I'm hurt and I have to find a new job!"

Minnie Driver is excellent as Debi, the jilted date and current radio DJ, who gets back at him on-air. The soundtrack is great, with Bowie's "Under Pressure", the Violent Femmes "Blister in the Sun", and great 1980s songs for their big reunion.

Reunion phobiacs unite, utterly hilarious!
Cusack shines yet again in the dark comedy set around Grosse Pointe, Michigan. Martin Blank (Cusack) is a contract killer having a bout of emptiness. His secretary (played superbly by sister Joan Cusack) corralls him into heading home just in time for his 10-year high school reunion. Who is he afraid to see there, another killer or fellow cronie? No, it's his high school prom date Minnie Driver! (Speaking of cronies, though, Dan Aykroid plays one of his best roles ever as Grocer, the competing hitman trying to form a 'union' of sorts).

From the reminiscing with old friends, to the rekindling of a relationship, to the way the town has changed, and to the current contract in Grosse Pointe, this truly dark comedy deliver big time with dry one-liners, clever and witty banter, odd and embarassing situations, and a visit back to high school days and faces once forgotten. Anyone who has even run into an old classmate from school will definitely find this movie hilarious and poignant. The soundtrack is also outstanding featuring many of the hits from the mid-80s and worked in cleverly into the plot and scenes. (Keep an ear/eye open for Queen's "Under Pressure" and the way the lyrics and the movie itself seem to marry perfectly).

(Disclaimer: for those of you who might be concerned, there is a good deal of foul language, some violent scenes, and minor sexual situations. Otherwise, if that doesn't bother you much, definitely one to add to your collection).

Overall, a tremendous movie with great action, universal themes of reunion along with the related phobias and hijinx, hilarious wit, and excellent acting all around. Truly one of the funniest movies that Cusack has made and quite possibly his most amusing role to date. Enjoy!

It's a BIG HIT
Grosse Pointe Blank is probably ranked in my list as one of the best dark comedies of all time. If you haven't seen it, just think, "Pulp Fiction" meets "satire," with a little bit of typical "John Cusack-ness" sprinkled in here and there. (Still, Minnie Driver's character is no match for Mia Wallace in my humble opinion.)

It kind of makes you wonder what really goes through the minds of these so-called real-life "assassins" that exist in the world. Although I'm sure that it's certainly not quite a comedic vocation as portrayed in the film. Nonetheless, it's fascinating and it keeps the viewer sitting on the edge of their seat wanting more. I think that's why this movie worked. Who would of ever thought of making a farce out of something so mundane as a hitman going through a midlife crisis? John Cusack's quirky persona really makes Grosse Pointe Blank, well, Grosse Pointe Blank. On top of that, the ten year high school reunion adds yet another intricate twist in the storyline. I felt as though I had stepped into a time portal that took me back to the era of materialims, The Clash/punk rock, Sixteen Candles, side ponny tails and leg warmers, as with other fashion mishaps.

The dailogue, as funny as it is, really makes you think -which isn't always the easiest thing to do in a film. For example, one of my favorie lines is when Debi questions: "Where are all the good men dead, in the heart or in the head?" Let's just say, I ask myself the same thing...

Probably Cusack's Best Film
This is, for me anyway, the best film Cusack has done. It's filled with a certain realism that you don't find in many films. This is odd because the film is primarily a comedy. Black comedy, mind you, but comedy nonetheless.

Background - Martin Blank (Cusack) is a contract hit-man ten years after his high school graduation. He's lost his taste for 'the business' and wants out. He received an invite to his high school reunion but doesn't initially want to attend. Almost simultaneously, he gets a contract to take out someone in his home town. He decides to kill two birds with one stone and do both. Little does he know that a contract has been put out on him as well.

Story - Blank freaked out at the end of high school and joined the army where he learned to kill. He was loaned out to the CIA where he served as a hit-man before going solo. After ten years of the stuff, he's had his fill and wants out. A fellow hit-man (Dan Aykroyd) Grosser, wants to form a 'Hit-man union' of sorts. Blank declines, so Grosser puts a contract out on him. The film follows Blank as he seeks out his high school sweetheart, avoids assassination attempts, and tries to complete his last hit, which has an interesting twist.

Why I like this film - The conversations Cusack has with the other characters, as well as with himself, are priceless. The dialog is disjointed, much like a real conversation you might have.

Another thing that I liked was the realism of the fight scenes. I'm tired of watching movie fights where the hero and villains trade punches to the face, and neither of them have any blood on them. In one scene in particular, the fight lasts all of a minute (pretty real for a streetfight) and both characters as bloodies and sweating profusely. Very realistic, indeed.

This film is not for people who don't like action, as it's filled with it. Younger children probably shouldn't watch it either because of the excessive violence. Fans of Cusack should like it, as it's filled with intelligent humor. ... Read more

Reviews (100)

Sequal bites the BIG one!
This movie proves, once again, that the sequal never lives up to the original. The Klumps, trying to ride on the tails of its predecessor, attempts to give the one-dimensional Klump family a second dimension to their characters. FAILED! While the movie is very funny (why it got a second star in my opinion), it tried to take on a more serious family aspect which left the film dragging slowly to the next punch-line delivered by Eddie Murphy in any of his hilarious disguises. If you want a funny movie, I suggest going with the first Nutty Professor where the one-sided Klumps are more suited for their roles, though less present in the overall story line. If you're an avid fan of Grandma Klump and her "Cletus-cutdowns," then this is your movie... though I could have done without seeing her making moves on Buddy Love. Enjoy your movie experience! :)

it was alright
Eddie Murphy is the king of comedy, and janet is the queen of pop, excellent combination right? It somewhat works here, but the only problem is that though janet shows promise in acting, she doesn't really have a role in this film that seperates the musician from the actress, Denise Gaines doesn't have much of a personality other than clinging to Sherman and flaunting her beautiful smile. I really think she was great on Good Times and Different Strokes back in the day and the Lena Horne movie she was supposed to do looked promising, but it got scrapped. I love the theme Doesn't Really Matter that was written and sung by janet and it was nice hearing it in the movie and soundtrack, it was a big summer hit, hitting #1 for 3 weeks. Eddie Murphy on the other hand is hilarious throughout the whole movie and he beautifully plays different roles of the Klump family, each one showing a different and humorous personality. The grandma one was my favourite. I didn't think all of the jokes in the film were funny, but there were some scenes in the movie that were childish yet extremely hilarious that had me laughing the loudest in the theater.

I think the first one is better, but if you're interested in getting to know the other Klump family members more, you may want to check this out. And also if you like janet jackson, you'll want to see this, but don't expect another role like the one she had in Poetic Justice.

FUNNY!
First of all, this movie is VERY funny! Its even funnier than the first film!

Whats even better, is how much the family gets involved in this movie (Eddie Murphy plays all 7 charcters!)

You can't even tell that the family is all the same actor, they all seem different.

get this movie! its funny as hell!

terribly disappointing
I, and my family, had high hopes for this film. We had really enjoyed the first Nutty Professor movie. This sequel, however, is a truly awful movie. The plot is a totally confusing mess.
The humor is missing and in its place is a huge amount of farting and cursing and potty-mouthed, potty-minded crap. The language is terrible and I really didn't want my kids to see the shots of swinging breasts and bulging erections. As a family film it is completely inappropriate. As a movie in general, it is utterly unfunny and pretty much a total bomb.

The worst movie EVER
I couldn't believe my eyes and ears, at the beginning, at the altar, when Eddie Murphy's head comes out of his zipper, I couldn't believe how awful it was. AND it sets the tone for the whole movie. Bad taste galore, the worst kind, and it's not the least bit funny. The family monologues aren't the worst (never heard anything unfunnier), and then of course the fart-jokes,
Really, movie-making has never sunk any lower.
I'd say this is the most vulgar thing ever seen on tv, and that's counting the Osbournes! ... Read more

Reviews (100)

Sequal bites the BIG one!
This movie proves, once again, that the sequal never lives up to the original. The Klumps, trying to ride on the tails of its predecessor, attempts to give the one-dimensional Klump family a second dimension to their characters. FAILED! While the movie is very funny (why it got a second star in my opinion), it tried to take on a more serious family aspect which left the film dragging slowly to the next punch-line delivered by Eddie Murphy in any of his hilarious disguises. If you want a funny movie, I suggest going with the first Nutty Professor where the one-sided Klumps are more suited for their roles, though less present in the overall story line. If you're an avid fan of Grandma Klump and her "Cletus-cutdowns," then this is your movie... though I could have done without seeing her making moves on Buddy Love. Enjoy your movie experience! :)

it was alright
Eddie Murphy is the king of comedy, and janet is the queen of pop, excellent combination right? It somewhat works here, but the only problem is that though janet shows promise in acting, she doesn't really have a role in this film that seperates the musician from the actress, Denise Gaines doesn't have much of a personality other than clinging to Sherman and flaunting her beautiful smile. I really think she was great on Good Times and Different Strokes back in the day and the Lena Horne movie she was supposed to do looked promising, but it got scrapped. I love the theme Doesn't Really Matter that was written and sung by janet and it was nice hearing it in the movie and soundtrack, it was a big summer hit, hitting #1 for 3 weeks. Eddie Murphy on the other hand is hilarious throughout the whole movie and he beautifully plays different roles of the Klump family, each one showing a different and humorous personality. The grandma one was my favourite. I didn't think all of the jokes in the film were funny, but there were some scenes in the movie that were childish yet extremely hilarious that had me laughing the loudest in the theater.

I think the first one is better, but if you're interested in getting to know the other Klump family members more, you may want to check this out. And also if you like janet jackson, you'll want to see this, but don't expect another role like the one she had in Poetic Justice.

FUNNY!
First of all, this movie is VERY funny! Its even funnier than the first film!

Whats even better, is how much the family gets involved in this movie (Eddie Murphy plays all 7 charcters!)

You can't even tell that the family is all the same actor, they all seem different.

get this movie! its funny as hell!

terribly disappointing
I, and my family, had high hopes for this film. We had really enjoyed the first Nutty Professor movie. This sequel, however, is a truly awful movie. The plot is a totally confusing mess.
The humor is missing and in its place is a huge amount of farting and cursing and potty-mouthed, potty-minded crap. The language is terrible and I really didn't want my kids to see the shots of swinging breasts and bulging erections. As a family film it is completely inappropriate. As a movie in general, it is utterly unfunny and pretty much a total bomb.

The worst movie EVER
I couldn't believe my eyes and ears, at the beginning, at the altar, when Eddie Murphy's head comes out of his zipper, I couldn't believe how awful it was. AND it sets the tone for the whole movie. Bad taste galore, the worst kind, and it's not the least bit funny. The family monologues aren't the worst (never heard anything unfunnier), and then of course the fart-jokes,
Really, movie-making has never sunk any lower.
I'd say this is the most vulgar thing ever seen on tv, and that's counting the Osbournes! ... Read more