Amazon.com essential video

The quintessential movie spoof that spawned an entire genre of parody films, the original Airplane! still holds up as one of the brightest comedic gems of the '80s, not to mention of cinema itself (it ranked in the top 5 of Entertainment Weekly's list of the 100 funniest movies ever made). The humor may be low and obvious at times, but the jokes keep coming at a rapid-fire clip and its targets--primarily the lesser lights of '70s cinema, from disco films to star-studded disaster epics--are more than worthy for send-up. If you've seen even one of the overblown Airport movies then you know the plot: the crew of a filled-to-capacity jetliner is wiped out and it's up to a plucky stewardess and a shell-shocked fighter pilot to land the plane. Robert Hays and Julie Hagerty are the heroes who have a history that includes a meet-cute à la Saturday Night Fever, a surf scene right out of From Here to Eternity, a Peace Corps trip to Africa to teach the natives the benefits of Tupperware and basketball, a war-ravaged recovery room with a G.I. who thinks he's Ethel Merman (a hilarious cameo)--and those are just the flashbacks! The jokes gleefully skirt the boundaries of bad taste (pilot Peter Graves to a juvenile cockpit visitor: "Joey, have you ever seen a grown man naked?"), with the high (low?) point being Hagerty's intimate involvement with the blow-up automatic pilot doll, but they'll have you rolling on the floor. The film launched the careers of collaborators Jim Abrahams (Big Business), David Zucker (Ruthless People), and Jerry Zucker (Ghost), as well as revitalized such B-movie actors as Lloyd Bridges, Peter Graves, Robert Stack, and Leslie Nielsen, who built a second career on films like this. A vital part of any video collection. --Mark Englehart ... Read more

Reviews (155)

An Overdose of Comedy
In the 1970's, Hollywood created an endless stream of disaster movies. Having found a "winning formula" they latched onto it and milked it for every penny producing disaster flick after disaster flick until it all became a joke onto itself. Enter Airplane. The result of a couple of guys who, seeing all these airplane disaster movies thought it had all gotten so ridiculous that the entire genre was a joke, a brilliant idea was born. Enter the era of the spoof.

Today we take spoofs for granted but back then the idea was brand new, and thats what makes Airplane such a brilliant masterpeice, it literally spawned a whole new genre of movies that is being copied this very day. Naked gun, or Scary movie would not exist today without Airplane, and yet, Airplane is funnier than every other spoof ever made even all these years later.

Put simply, this movie is non stop rapidfire comedy. It's saturday night live on qualudes. It's nonstop wisecracks and jokes and gags. If you like intelligent critical movies, run away...quickly. This is not your movie.
If however you enjoy pure slapstick a la three stooges, just pure bumbling humour. Totally idiotic side gags. This is your dream come true. This is more than likely the most hillarious movie ever made. It's become a classic like Gone with the wind or the godfather, but for Comedies, and with good reason. The jokes simply are nonstop beggining to end. Right from the opening scene with the Hare Krishna's at the airport until the autopilot waving goodbye in the end scene. The movie simply does not stop for even an instant. At certain points you literally have to stop laughing even if you think a joke is funny just to breath. Don't expect brilliant writting here, it's all slapstick but it REALLY is hillarious stuff. The guys who did this by the way have gone on to write many of hollywoods great comedic scenes and we can see their raw talent to great effect here, completely unrestrained. This is the granddaddy of the Spoof Genre. If you love slapstick, by all means, Get this movie. You won't regret it.

I AM serious, and don't call me Shirley!
The greatest movie spoof and funniest film of all time is on DVD! Directed by the Zucker Brothers, AIRPLANE is the king of all spoofs, putting lame attempts like SCARY MOVIE to shame. The relentless number of gags is the key here, with so many jokes it takes several viewings to catch them all. My favourite gags are the Saturday Night Fever disco mock, the mayhem jokes on the plane (crash postions etc), Stephen Stucker as Johnny ("The tower! Rapunzel!) and the very patient cab driver! And of course, one of the best lines, "Surely you can't be serious!" "I AM serious, and don't call me Shirley!" and "Joey, do you like movies about Gladiators?" Classic! The jokes come fast and frequently, providing enough weird humour to satisfy fans of this genre. Great fun. The DVD extras consist of a terrific Commenatary from the directors and a trailer. More extra stuff would be nice, but the commentary alone is worth it.

Outrageously funny!
God this movie is so incredibly hilarious! Few movies have such witty and original jokes as 1980's Airplane! does. This is one of the best comedy movies of all time and is strongly recommended for those struggling with depression or just want a good laugh.

A jetliner is bound for Chicago but when contaminated fish spreads illnesses on most of it's passengers and incapacitates both of it's pilots, it's up to a war veteran to fly and land the airliner and save the passengers before the illness claims their lives.

This movie is so incredibly funny and is highly recommended for comedy audiences. They sure don't make comedy movies like they used to.

Outrageous Comedy About 70's Disaster Films
Airplane was released in theatres in 1980 and was in production in 1979. Evidently, "Airplane" was a spoof of the 70's disaster film "Airport." This movie was an original concept in comedy at the time that made way for future spoof movies as the Scary Movie series in recent years and the Naked Gun movies in the 90's. Stars Robert Hays, Julia Hagerty, Leslie Nielsen and Peter Graves with a special appearance by Lakers player Kareem Abdul Jabaar. Leslie Nielsen would move on to doing other such comic films, particularily at home with the Nake Gun series and Spy Hard.

The movie was a comic farewell to the 70's, a milieu which this movie holds on to visually- disco music, including a scene ripped off from Saturday Night Fever in which Robert Hays and Julia Hagerty dance while two women fight each other at a disco/bar. The comedy is non-stop and everything is a gag or joke, written into the script. Highlights include an elderly white lady who can speak Jibe or black street slang, Ted and Elaine in an African village as part of a peace corps mission. Ted is teaching the native men how to play basketball while Elaine demonstrates Tupperware to the village women. The movie is cartoonish, over-the-top, silly but lots of fun. Look also for the film's sequel, released in 1982.

One of the all-time great comedies!
Airplane! is most definitely one of the ten greatest comedies of all time, and it's held up well over the past 24 years or so. Normally, this type of parody/slapstick comedy bores me to tears, but I think it's the dry delivery in Airplane! that makes everything work. A classic performance from Leslie Nielsen doesn't hurt, either. Even though this movie spoofed some of the biggest movies of its time period, the fact that Airplane! is remembered just as fondly (if not "fondlier") is testament to how great this film is. Anyone that enjoys comedies must A)Watch this movie, B)Own this movie, and C)Repeat lines from this movie as often as possible. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The gang that created Airplane and The Naked Gun sets its sights on Top Gun in this often hilarious spoof starring Charlie Sheen, who previously only inspired laughs with his personal life. He plays Topper Harley, a fighter pilot with an ax to grind: clearing the family name. He gets involved in a relationship with Valerie Golino, a woman with an unusually talented stomach. But his mission is to avenge his father. Lloyd Bridges, late in his career, revealed an aptitude for this kind of silliness, here as a commander who is both incredibly dim and delightfully accident prone. Directed by Jim Abrahams, the film makes fun of a variety of other films as well, from Dances with Wolves to The Fabulous Baker Boys. It was so successful that they all returned in the sequel, Hot Shots! Part Deux. --Marshall Fine ... Read more

Reviews (25)

The Mother of all Slapstick
After setting the police profession back 100 years with the "Naked Gun" movie, director Jim Abrahams decided to set his sights on the military with "Hot Shots." And the military will never be the same again.

What makes this movie so much fun are the sight gags that are in almost every scene. As with all good slapstick comedy movies, there are too many sight gags for you to be able to catch them all the first, and even second, time around. Every time you watch this movie, you will find another sight gag that you hadn't noticed before.

The movie also comes with a great comedic cast. It stars Charlie Sheen who for the first time really gets a chance to show how funny he can be (his previous comedy movies are pretty much forgettable). He is supported by Jon Cryer, Lloyd Bridges, and Cary Elwes. Each of these people have a great track record on their own when it comes to comedy. Together, they make the movie work.

Hot Shots
Maybe it's just because I haven't seen Top Gun, but when I first saw this film I was absolutely clueless. Yeah, there were some funny parts and humor from the makers of Airplane, Naked Gun, and Mafia, but the plot fell a little short. Charlie Sheen plays Topper Harley and follows his fathers footsteps when he flies in the Navy. There's also other great appearances by Cary Elwes and Lloyd Bridges (getting a little older), and silly characters like Washout and Dead Meat. I suggest you see Top Gun first, maybe then you will get more of the jokes. I give credit to Jim Abrahams and Pat Proft, though, because Top Gun seems like a tough movie to spoof.

Hilarious!
Hot Shots is one of the funniest movies I've ever seen. Charlie Sheen is okay, but in my opinion, the real comic here is Lloyd Bridges, playing Admiral Benson. Of course there are many other funny characters including the wall-eyed vision Washout. If you like movies with stupid humor, this is a must see.

Great Goof Comedy!
If your not into those whacky comedy spoofs then you will hate this Parody of Top Gun, amongst other movies! But I love these kind of send up whacky comedys, and this one is high up there with the best of them all!

Charlie Sheen plays Topper Harley and has had a bad past with the US Air Force and has quit the army... but the Army needs him once again and with non stop stupidity and comedy through the movie from door bells on Indian Tee Pees, to Barbequing hot hots with the jets of fighter planes, and a dog that just keeps getting sat on amongst many others, this movie will have you laughing your tushy off!

Its no acadamey award winner, but thats obviously not the idea for this comic life movie! It parodys a lot of movies, mostly Top Gun, but adds its own great jokes to the plot with outrages slapstick humour!

Part 2 - Wasnt as great. It sends up alot of movies and the plot changes completly into a difreent type of movie! But if you can, the edition thats available in regoin 4 at the moment of Part one and Two togther in the same package is worth getting!

Good Despite Sheen
I guess you can see from the title of this review I am not a big Charlie Sheen fan. There were tons of men that would have shined in this film. Sheen does an okay job ( seeing how he isn't a comedian ) but he is overshadowed by a funny script and funnier co-stars. This film makes fun of famous dramas like " 9 1/2 Weeks " but is mainly a parody of " Top Gun ". Hot Shots is an enjoyable movie that sticks to a strong plot. It doesn't end up falling into that trap of " trying " to be funny like some spoofs. It's not as good as " Naked Gun " by all means but it is a heck of a lot better than " Hot Shots: Part Duex " which was far too silly for my taste. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Pure genious
These are the first three episodes of Police Squad, the program that laid out the ground works for the Naked Gun series and a lot of other parodies out there (stuff like chalk outline jokes and name puns). I personally consider Police Squad to be better than the Naked Gun series, and all other parodies made by the Zucker-Abrahams-Zucker team. Too bad there were only six episodes made, as this is just pure gold in my humble opinion.

The Naked Truth
This is an extremely hilarious tape. It is just as funny, if not more, than the NAked Gun movies. Watch it a few times and you'll realize all the jokes you've missed.

POLICE SQUAD forever and ever and...
What, only 6 stinkin' episodes is all this show has? Shows you what Hollywood thinks is and isn't funny. The cast is great and the Jokes...Sight Gags that really make you feel good about Vision! A Must Have- What No DVDs?

The original television series is funnier than the movies
"Police Squad," which aired in 1982, starred Leslie Nielsen as Detective Frank Drebin, Alan North as Captain Ed Hocken, Ed Williams as scientist Ted Olson, William Duell as Johnny the Snitch, and Rex Hamilton as Abraham Lincoln. The first three episodes from the short-lived but well-remembered comedy created by the Zucker Brothers are preserved on this tape. I have included both the title that appeared on the screen and the one intoned by the narrator (in that order). Oh, and please remember that the "guest star" for each episode is always killed during the title credits. Now, back to the episodes:

(1) "A Substantial Gift"/"The Broken Promise," the March 4, 1982 series premier with guest star Lorne Greene (dumped out of a car with a knife buried in his chest), finds Frank investigating the murder of a teller at the bank. His girlfriend Sally says it was a recently fired employee, but Frank has his doubts. There is a great scene involving Frank trying to get clear about "Jim Fell" and an equally funny visit to the Dentist. (2) "Ring of Fear"/"A Dangerous Assignment," with guest star Georg Stanford Brown" (crushed by a falling safe), has Frank working the case of a boxer who is murdered after refusing to take a dive. This means a visit to Jim's Gym for Frank, who ends up working with a real dog. (3) "Rendevouz at Big Gulch"/"Terror in the Neighborhood" takes out guest star Florence Henderson (gunned down in her kitchen while making a meal and singing) before Frank and Norberg go undercover at a dance studio to crack down on a protection racket. I really like the fight at the studio.

Why on earth did this hysterical show not succeed? Well, apparently there were so many sight gags (e.g., the Japanese Garden consisting of Japanese people standing in large flower pots), that people actually had to WATCH the show, which, it seems, they did not like to do. Now they have to pay to watch Frank Drebin in the movies. Go figure.

A six-episode comedy classic!
Perhaps, in some wonderful alternate time-band, "Police Squad!" lasted beyond six episodes to survive for, say, two seasons. Or three. Surely, true fans of the series are asking but one question at this point: "My name is not Shirley, but can you tell me how to get to this wonderful time-band?" I'm afraid I can't, but if anyone knows the secret, please share it with me--care of Shirley, of course.

As it stands, six installments are all we have, and they are the funniest TV episodes ever produced, with a dream comedy cast headed by Leslie Nielsen, Alan North, and Peter Lupus. North and Lupus were to continue onto the big screen for the "Naked Gun" series, but studio bigwigs insisted they be replaced by actors with greater name recognition. What a shame!

This, and the second "Police Squad!" video, present the episodes in uncut form. The less said about heavily-edited cable airings of this masterpiece, the better. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The sequel to the wonderfully wacky Hot Shots! uses Rambo as its model for nonstop send-ups (though director Jim Abrahams can't resist inserting a Saddam Hussein lookalike, given the film's post-Gulf War release). This time, Lloyd Bridges, who was an admiral in the first movie, has become president (take that, Colin Powell!) and needs someone to take care of the threat posed by a certain mustached Middle Eastern dictator. Who better than ever-reliable Topper Harley (Charlie Sheen)? In addition to trying to take out Saddam commando-style, Topper must juggle two women: Valerie Golino, from the original, and CIA babe Brenda Bakke, who knows a thing or two about close-quarters combat. If anything, this may be funnier than the first. --Marshall Fine ... Read more

Reviews (25)

Excellent parody
This movie is a special treat for mature war film buffs. It has great over-the-top acting with truely masterful comedic performances from a cast of veteran actors. Charlie Sheen has the ripped tough guy look downpat. The late Richard Crenna plays a perfect straight hard core military officer. Well paced,excellent production values,photography, sound effects, multiple layers of humor, with sight gags, and dialogue that uses many double meanings. LLoyd Bridges does a scene reminiscent of the famous early 1960's "Sea Hunt" series that is a side splitter. Tremendous political satire of Pres.Bush 41, and Saddam Hussein. The movie uses sexual situations and word play masterfully.( Ex. An Iraqi interrogator using Yiddish expressions) "Hot Shots! Part Duex" wickedly parodies the gun violence and martial arts in many action movies. If you have seen the TV series Sea Hunt, American Gladiators; the movies: Rambo, Navy Seals, Terminator II, KickBoxer, Apocalypse Now and know anything about the Iraq War.. you'll just fall out of your chair laughing. What "Blazing Saddles" did to the Western Genre and "Spaceballs" does to science fiction and "Shrek" did to animated films.. "Hot Shots! Part Duex" does to action war films.

2nd funniest movie of all time. - Finally on DVD....YES !
This movie is the 2nd funniest movie of all time, only because the first hot shots movie is slightly better and funnier. I'm still wondering where the DVD version of this is ? I'm wearing out my vhs tape watching this over and over again. Pat Proft is so good at comedy and if you watch Wrongfully Accused you realize he's responsible for some of the funniest parts of the movie and the classic, hilarious sound effects and sound humor.
You can't own Hot Shots without owing this, i love movies like this, that even the credits are funny. People actually stayed in the theater to watch the credits. Lloyd Bridges just makes this movie and Charlie Sheen is a great comedy actor. The Scene with the bow and arrow and the chicken is the classic scene from this movie, too bad they showed it in the trailer, when the movie came out. Can't have one without the other. Own both of the hot shots movies.

one of the funniest movies ever
This is definentely one of the top 10 funniest movies ever. There is never a dull moment in this movie which sets out to parody such action films as Rambo, and The Terminator. As the movie begins, US troops are being sent to rescue troops captured during the Gulf War, and to kill a guy. After the mission is failed, the president of the United States [Lloyd Bridges, who is absolutely hilarious as the president] needs to find Topper Harley to rescue the troops. They find Topper in the far east during a kickboxing match, and discover Topper is living with Buddhists. Topper agrees to go on a mission to rescue troops in Iraq. He gets deployed with several other troops near a jungle where they will be able to ambush the Iraqis. This movie has so many classic parts. I think the funniest are the Apocolypse Now parody with Martin Sheen, the kickboxing part, and any part in the movie involving Lloyd Bridges, the best probably being when he is talking to his cabinet about the captured soldiers[sabotage, what does it mean?] I hope you thoroughly enjoy this movie, I did.

wow
this is the funnest movie i have ever seen. i laghfed entill i had tears

...between Iraq and A Hard Place
If you like comedies, movies about the military, or comedy movies about the military, then grab this one. It's fully loaded with great site gags, one-liners, and jabs at those "serious" military flicks. A great group of cast members who play off each other remarkably well. You'll laugh yourself right out of your camouflaged BVDs. ... Read more

Reviews (13)

Quirky but delightful.
This is such a Winona Ryder movie. (I mean that in the best way possible; she really shines in this movie.) She plays teenaged, quirky, confused, unpopular Dinky Bosetti living in small town Ohio. She was adopted as a baby by a couple who she cannot relate to (especially the "mother", played by Frances Fisher) and who cannot relate to her, and she displays her frustration and confusion by wearing black and padlocking her bedroom door. The only allies Dinky feels she has are a group of homeless dogs she cares for at an old abandoned boat. Roxy Carmichael, the town's living legend, is a woman whose sexual prowess is so strong that it's not limited to either gender. Jeff Daniels does well playing Denton Webb, who was a lover of Roxy's in their younger days. Dinky interrogates Denton relentlessly about Roxy and begins to convince herself that Roxy and Denton are her biological parents. She eagerly anticipates Roxy's scheduled return (as does Denton, who is by now married with children) so that she can go away with her and finally have a mother who understands her. Dinky becomes so obsessed with Roxy's return that she becomes blind to the love that's all around her, from a school counselor, from a popular classmate, and from her adoptive father. I don't want to give away the whole movie. It's a worthwhile rental. PS You never get to find out who Roxy Carmichael is, which was mildly frustrating, but don't let that stop you.

WINONA RYDER IS MY FAVORITE MOVIE STAR
BACK IN THE EARLY 90's I WATCHED THIS MOVIE NUMEROUS TIMES. THERE IS A BIT OF RYDER'S CHARACTER (DINKY BOSSETTI) IN ALL OF US. I REALLY ENJOYED WINONA IN HER TEEN ROLES AND I ENJOY HER WORK NOW. ADOPTED AS AN INFANT DINKY BOSSETTI HAS LITTLE TO NOTHING IN COMMON WITH HER ADOPTIVE PARENTS. "WE JUST DON'T FIT." DINKY SAYS. SHE SECRETLY AWAITS THE HOMECOMING OF ROXY CARMICHAEL, WHO IS A LEGEND IN DINKY'S HOME TOWN OF CLYDE OHIO. SHE ALSO BELIEVES THAT ROXY CARMICHAEL IS HER REAL MOTHER AND THAT DENTON (JEFF DANIELS) IS HER REAL FATHER. WHILE BLEEDING INFORMATION OUT OF DENTON IT ALL SEEMS TO MAKE SENSE TO HER 15 YEAR OLD MIND. ONLY BECAUSE THATS WHAT SHE HOPES. "WELCOME HOME ROXY CARMICHAEL" HAS THIS MESSAGE.. DON'T BELIEVE WHAT YOU WANT TO BELIEVE JUST BECAUSE YOU THINK THE GRASS MAY BE GREENER ON THE OTHER SIDE. WINONA RYDER BY THE WAY IS STELLAR IN THE LEAD ROLE. YOUR HEART IS IN HER HAND THE WHOLE TIME. WHEN I FIRST HEARD OF THIS MOVIE I THOUGHT THAT WINONA WAS ROXY CARMICHAEL AND SHE WOULD BE WELCOMED HOME BLAH, BLAH, BLAH. THE MOVIE TURNED OUT TO BE A VERY MEANINGFUL MOVIE TO ME. I'M SORRY MORE PEOPLE HAVEN'T SEEN IT. I GUESS IF A TEEN MOVIE DOESN'T HAVE JOHN HUGHES NAME IN THE CREDITS IT GETS IGNORED. RYDER'S CHARACTER FINDS OUT THAT SHE'S ALOT MORE THAN JUST PRETTY IN PINK.

Finding your place, accepting who you are
Quirky teen is sure she is the daughter of Roxy Carmichael... and that she's been adopted. Throughout the movie she finds her way and finds the truth. It's a bit odd and not for everyone. But if you like coming of age, and Winona, you will like this flick

the lost teen movie
My roommate likes this movie, but I love it. It's a teen movie that is better than all of John Hughes teen films combined. It stars Winona Ryder in the type of movie I love to see her in.

Dinky, my hero....
Its hard to star rate this. It's a film that doesn't explain itself - you either get it or you don't.
Words that occur are:
Incomplete, quirky, beautiful. If you had a rough time at school (or are at this time) you'll easily find the nuggets in this film. Dinky is my hero! ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Execs "Knew" Best
From what I read years ago, there were actually 8 (maybe 9)"Police Squad" episodes, but the network killed the series before all aired. Execs there apparently knew what we liked better that we. They probably figured "What's the point of Nielson informing the show's many fans that a hospital is "a big building full of sick people, but that's not important now."

The Naked Truth Part 2, Yankees 1
Although this is an okay tape, it is not as funny as the first. If you buy the first one and like it, consider buying this one. The name of the first tape is Police Squad: Help Wanted.

a MUST see!!!
You'll laugh you ... off!

Buy it NOW!!! You'll thank me later.

More comedy classics from the files of "Police Squad"
"Police Squad," which aired in 1982, starred Leslie Nielsen as Detective Frank Drebin, Alan North as Captain Ed Hocken, Ed Williams as scientist Ted Olson, William Duell as Johnny the Snitch, and Rex Hamilton as Abraham Lincoln. This second tape preserves the final three episodes from the short-lived but well-remembered comedy created by the Zucker Brothers. Once again, I have included both the title that appeared on the screen and the one intoned by the narrator (in that order), as well as the "guest star" who is killed off in the credits that week.

(4) "Revenge and Remorse"/"A Guilty Alibi," with guest star William Shatner (dodgers gunfire but then drinks poison), finds Frank investigating the death of a judge and prosecutor who are killed in explosions. The prime suspect is Eddie Casales, a bomber just released from jail, but Frank (as always) has other ideas. (5) "The Butler Did It"/"A Bird in the Hand," takes out guest star Robert Goulet (firing squad after refusing a blindfold) before Frank has to race the clock to find a kidnapped young socialite. Meanwhile, Johnny the Snitch gets a visit from a desperate Tommy Lasorda. I love it when the monkey runs around during the end credits while everybody pretends to stand frozen. (6) "Testimony of Evil"/"Dead Men Don't Laugh," with guest star William Conrad (also thrown from car with knife in chest a'la Lorne Greene in the pilot), Frank has to go undercover as "Tony Dawonderful," a so-bad-he's-funny comic, to infiltrate a night club and break up a drugs ring.

"Police Squad" was one of the funniest television shows ever and the movies, while welcomed, lack the simple charm of these episodes. For my money, Nielsen just mugs it up to much on the silver screen, although Priscilla Presley makes up for an awful lot. This is one of those rare shows that is as funny as you remember it being when you catch it again on videotape.

Cigarette? Yes I know.
The tape contains the last three episodes of the series. I can't believe there were only 6 in the series! These are absolutely halarious, the jokes do not stop. Nielsen was never funnier and Alan North is perfect as Ed Hawkins. If you liked the Naked Gun and the Airplane! films you will love this. This is one of the most original televison series ever created. I keep hoping that another tape of unkown episodes will surface. Wouldnt that be dreamy? I love how the special guest star of each episode dies during the opening theme. Brilliant! ... Read more

Reviews (34)

A Comedy Classic with an All Star Cast!!!
I saw this movie on cable, several times, I watch it every chance I get, I don't personally own it, but it will soon come into my DVD collection. The main character is played by Danny DeVito who plays philandering, money hungry tycoon Sam Stone(Danny plays this character with such relish) who has made enemies of the couple played by Helen Slater and Judge Rheinhold, whom he has wronged. They retaliate by kidnapping his wife played by Bette Middler. Put it this way the kidnappers end up being the most likable characters in the movie, with all the manuevers done by Sam Stone, his mistress played by Anita Morris, her dumb as a rock boyfriend played by Bill Pullman, the Police Commissioner, and the unsuspecting wife played by Betty Middler, who hopes to be rescued by her husband. It is funny, intelligent and it takes you for a cool entertaining ride with it's plot twists.

An 80's comedy time capsule!
I hope everyone didn't forget that Bette Midler was the highest grossing female film star of the 80's! This is the classic that will prove how she got the attention. This was released after Down And Out In Beverly Hills which brought Bette back into popularity at the movies. In fact, Down... is probably considered her funniest movie. I think Ruthless outshines all her comedies. It's sooo 80's, too! Scene after scene, this movie moves along with no time to be bored. Acting is perfect by all. Although Danny and Bette are never seen together until the end, they look so cute together. Danny Devito wants his abrasive wife kidnaped! Judge Reinhold had his multi million dollar idea stolen from Devito. Devito's mistress wants his money. And did I mention the serial killer? Very funny! I hope this will soon be re-released on DVD!

Fumbling kidnappers join forces with victim
Bette Midler in yet another one of her pain-in-the-neck roles. The wife of a wealthy man (played by Danny DeVito) is kidnapped for ransome by a desperate young couple (definite novices to the kidnapping racket), only to learn that DeVito has no intention of paying up, as he had long been tired of his nagging wife. DeVito plays up the heart-broken husband to police, while Midler and her captors are devising a plan to get even with the s.o.b.

There are many hilarious scenes, and even some moving moments of emotional sweetness, but soon past the half-way mark the engines lose steam. By the time everyone reaches the finish-line, the hot-cake has definitely cooled off. Still an enjoyable piece of light-hearted comedy, slap-stick, non-sense and all.****

'I've been kidnapped by K-Mart!"
Extremely funny movie. Danny Devito plays the part of a husband who married his wife for her money and now wants to get rid of her (he's got a girlfriend on the side). Bette Middler plays the loud-mouth rich wife. Just when Devito decides to put his plans into action, she is kidnapped. He is thrilled and refuses to pay the ransom hoping the kidnappers will follow through on their threat to knock her off if he doesn't pay up. While he's laughing and celebrating, the police think he's mourning. The kidnappers find they've taken on more than the average kidnapped victim, especially since they are really a soft-hearted couple who felt Danny owed them for ripping off the wife's idea. Bette Midler is no tame, soft spoken woman.

The movie is one of those side-splitting comedies that is great from the start to the finish! Enjoy!

Ruthlessly Funny
Sam Stone only married his wife, Barbara, for her money. Now he's anxious to get rid of her. Before he can do the deed, though, someone does him a huge favor by kidnapping her. What could be better? All he has to do is not pay the ransom and his problem is solved. Barbara's bungling kidnappers find themselves stuck with a worthless hostage.

RUTHLESS PEOPLE is a very funny movie. It's well plotted, well acted and keeps you laughing all the way. While not quite a classic, it was one of the top comedies of the mid-80's and resurrected Bette Midler's movie career. My only caution is that this is definitely NOT a movie for kids. Crude language is scattered throughout and there is some blatantly sexual material. While it might offend a few people, it's pretty mild by current standards. You could see almost as much in a Super Bowl halftime show.

I've liked RUTHLESS PEOPLE ever since I first saw it at the theater. It's a first-rate adult comedy. If you'd like some laughs, this is a good choice. ... Read more

Description

Bette Midler (THE FIRST WIVES CLUB, BEACHES) and Lily Tomlin (DISNEY'S THE KID, ALL OF ME, 9 TO 5) -- the first ladies of laughter -- star in this critically acclaimed box office hit about two sets of identical twins who are mismatched at birth. Forty years later, their paths cross amid the hustle and bustle of Manhattan, and the result is unrestrained pandemonium. New York's opulent Plaza Hotel is the setting for a wildly hilarious, classic case of mistaken identities, split personalities, and double trouble! With the unparalleled comedic talents of Midler and Tomlin, two's company ... four's a riot! ... Read more

Reviews (32)

They don't make comedies like this anymore....
I am SOOO HAPPY this is finally being released on DVD (my VHS copy has been watched so many times, it's not that good anymore!).

This is a great story about TWO sets of twins that are born in this rinky dink hospital in Jupiter Hollow, only to have one twin from each set mixed with the other. It's a hilarious romp and definitely a feel good movie. I think far too many critics these days miss that point. If a movie makes you feel good and makes you want to watch it over and over again, that's a 5 star movie.

Big Business will keep you coming back for a great does of monkey business!! Viva Tomlin and Midler!!

Soaps In The Shapes Of Swans...Could You Die?
Special thanks to Touchstone/Disney for finally releasing one of the BEST movies of all time on DVD! (Yes, I am talking about "Big Business") Lilly and Bette have an onscreen magic that I would love to see again in another movie. (Maybe "Big Business II?") Wishful thinking on my part.

This movie is filled with quotes that me and my good buddies Frank and Jake repeat over and over. 1/2 of our conversations and daily dialect somehow involve lines from Big Business. I have always wondered if there any other people out there that are as twisted as we are! Some favorites lines:

Sadie Ratliff: "For once in my life I'm gonna be Joan Collins, and your not gonna stop me."

Sadie Shelton: "I don't see how is it that you, my own sister, can stuff your face and nothing happens and I subsist on 60 calories a day or else blow up like a Macy's Day float!"

Judy: "Hi Rose, how's Duke doing?"
Rose Ratliff: "Duke!? My Dog? Boy, when you go snoopin' into people's lives, you don't miss a trick, do you?"

Office Workers: "Hi Rose"
Rose Ratliff: "Oh, hi, hi everyone. Just fine, had a good breakfast, oatmeal, but I guess you know that. Got on my Tuesday panties, but I guess you know that too."

Sadie Ratliff: "I got to get me some of those press-on nails. Do those things stay on? I wouldn't want em floppin off in any of those fancy nightclubs."

Dr Jay: "Rose I've been doing a lot of thinking and we can fix this."
Rose Ratliff: "Fix what? Oh, you're Sly."
Dr Jay: "Sly? I couldn't be more sincere"

Small child: "What's a cow plop mommie?"

Rose Shelton: "I hate my job... I hate shopping... I hate New York in June. How about you?"

Sadie Ratliff: "I hate grits. And I hate men who smell like beer and bean dip...and makin' love in the back of recreational vehicles!"

I could go on and on, but will stop here before I quote the whole movie. The fun of Big Business is endless. Be sure to buy this DVD, you won't be sorry you did!

One of my favorites
This movie is one of my favorites from growing up. I probably watched it at least 100 times as a child. I'm so glad to see it on DVD. Bette Midler(who plays Sadie and Sadie) and Lily Tomlin (who plays Rose and Rose)are so funny!

Lord, my load is heavy!
This movie is not one of the most memorable comedies of the eighties, but it should be. It stands out among the booby comedies and the over the top antics of the era. What this dvd lacks in features, it makes up for in laughs. The simple premise and fabulous comedic timing make this a romp suitable for the whole family. I laugh my hind-quarters off everytime I watch it! SAVE JUPITER HOLLOW!

This Movie is hilarious
Bette Midler and Lily Tomlin are great together. They are very funny in this movie and I would highly recamend this movie to all ages from kids to adults. It is about two set's of twins who get seperated at birth because the nurse mixes them up. I think that this movie is a movie that you can watch over and over again because it is so funny! ... Read more

Reviews (12)

excellent, informative, movie that you'll remember !!!
I wanted this movie because my friend suffers from the same dreadful disease, epilepsy...after seeing this movie as it debuted in 1997, I discussed it with my friends who didn't watch the show...I made it a point to remember this film, not knowing my friend back when I saw the film, however, remembering a classmate back in highschool, who I witnessed a grand-mal seizure, was the only epileptic person I've known...This movie is definitely, an eyeopener !! Meryl Streep was remarkable... as for the rest of the cast!!! Words can't tell you enough about these people !!! I can't wait to get this movie , just for the acknowledgments at the end of the film, hoping to find more information my friend, Angel, will benefit from...it's his only hope of alternative medicine that we've been able to research...Again, this movie will be one you'll remember !!! I've gone into hospitals, in their libraries, looking and hoping to find information on the keto-genic diet, which is the success story behind this great flick...nobody I spoke to, saw the movie when it debuted to even, help me with my search... And I tried some websites on the internet of some of the finest hospitals in the world...with not much success as what I discovered when viewing this movie...I can't tell you any more about the movie without giving away any of it's message...Thank you, Amazon.com, for helping me, help a firend !!!

Realistic and Gripping!
You will watch this movie and be unable to believe that it was made for television, it is so well done. A labor of love for director Jim Abrahams whose own son suffered from epilepsy helped by alternative medicine, this is the story of a farmer (Ward) and his wife (the ever wonderful Streep making a rare television appearance) whose youngest son, Robbie (Adkins) developes epilepsy. Michael Yarmush also fares well in his role as Robbie's older brother. Frank telling of a child's illness and its profound effect on a family.

Deja Vu
A friend from church loaned me this video to watch this weekend. She said when she saw it, it reminded her of us. I have a 5 year old son that has a seizure disorder (never diagnosed as epilepsy) yet no doctor has ever been able to figure out the cause. When he was 3 he went over 15 months without a seizure and was even taken off all seizure medication then almost 1 year later he started having multiple seizures of all types. He was hospitalized quite a bit within a 30 day period. He had all sorts of tests and they still couldn't figure anything out. One visit landed him in the PICU because he was having a focal seizure and quit breathing. Our lives were turned upside down.

Watching this movie was like watching re-runs of that time. The behavior issues from the new meds (which kept getting him sent home from school). He use to be in regular room Kindergarten and now he is in Special Ed full time. He was also taking 7 different prescriptions a day (this also because he is ADHD on top of this). 2 meds for seizures, 3 meds for ADHD and 2 meds to offset the affects of all of the other meds (way too many for liking) so we took him off of the 2 meds for the side affects.

My son was watching the part of the movie when the wheeled in the bed with the bubble top and he said "that's my bed!" Our hospital visits were nightmares because they had to pump him full of a valuum to stop the seizures but then he would be physically and verbally out of control for atleast 24 consecutive hours after he pulled out of his Postictal stage.

I just have to commend the producer of this movie for the work done because those who have never experienced this will never understand. This movie was more real than anyone will know. It not only addresses the medical part but the home environment and how hard it is. I have 2 daughters whose ages are comparable to Robbie's brother and sister and, yes, it was vey hard on them because everything we did from that point on revolved around my son.

We are one of the luckier ones because we have managed to get the worse seizures under control. He still has partials that cause him headaches, drowsiness, nauseousness, tremors and in a few cases his legs refused to hold him. I still don't think he is on the right medication and I don't know if the Ketogenic diet would be right for him, but for now he back at school and has a great teacher who works with him when he has his "episodes" and has to sleep for over an hour to recover during class. What I appreciate is the knowing that there is an alternative if the medications don't work, because I know my Pedicatric Neuroligst hasn't said a word to us about it.

My hat is off to you! Thank you.

You should see this film
After reading the above review from the medical student, I feel even more compelled to encourage people to see this film. The lesson taught by this film is simple - educate yourself and your family on health. Medicine has helped millions of people and will continue to do so. However, prescription medication is not the only solution! This film was disturbing, thought-provoking and emotional. It will make you smile, cry and get angry as hell.

A diatribe based on a (incomplete) true story
As a medical student working closely with pediatric and adult neurologists specializing in epilepsy, I felt like I needed to say something to level the thinking this movie seems to inspire in viewers. First, it is based on a true story. The true story, however, does not involve a family battling incredible odds and hardship in seeking treatment. It involves a wealthy Hollywood producer with no monetary restrictions and an epileptic child who was TEMPORARILY helped by the ketogenic diet. The movie doesn't go on to explain that after a time, his child regressed and suffered from more and more frequent seizures. The diet is not a cure-all that forever changed the child's life.

The ketogenic diet is not an "alternative" therapy. It pre-dates current anticonvulsive drugs by decades, when it was noted that starvation prevents seizures. That is the key word: starvation. It is an extremely rigid and difficult diet to maintain, and even the sugar from a cookie or piece of cake sneaked at a birthday party or school can negate all positive effect. When medications were developed that were far safer than those previously available and easier to stick to than the rigorous ketogenic diet, it fell out of favor. Of the many drugs available now, the vast majority of epileptics benefit greatly from either one or a combination of them. This, without the great ordeal of maintaining the ketogenic diet. It does, however, work for many who are able to stick to it with the great support of family, school, physicians, etc. But as with ANY treatment, it isn't perfect.

It's always important to approach these things with caution. From TV shows and movies, to books, even to scientific articles and texts, everything is colored by the creator's experiences and biases. This movie is one such example of artistic license and strong emotions clouding and distorting the portrayal of an important aspect of health care for individuals unfortunate enough to be affected with epilepsy. ... Read more

Amazon.com

This hapless comedy may actually work a lot better on videothan it did in theaters. A parody of contemporary mob movies (with a fewsidebars skewering such hits as Forrest Gump and The EnglishPatient), Mafia! most closely resembles the first two Godfather films in its generational saga of a gangster family. Lloyd Bridges plays Don Cortino, a native Sicilian who presides over a crime syndicate, and Jay Mohr plays his Michael Corleone-like son. The film is by Jim Abrahams, formerly of the Zucker-Abrahams-Zucker directing team (Airplane!, The Naked Gun), single- handedly trotting out the old dumb-joke aesthetic that worked wonderfully a lifetime ago but looks a little creaky in the era of There's Something About Mary. Sillyallusions to every crime film (GoodFellas, Casino) produced in the last threedecades and featuring at least one wise guy or made man find their way into Mafia!'sgags, but most are arbitrary and shrugged off. The film tanked in theaters for goodreason; on the other hand, Mafia! might have a lot more to offer if you're slumped on your own couch at the end of a long day, ready for brain-deadentertainment and absolutely apathetic about comic integrity. Even a film thisinstantly stale on the big screen might have its place in video posterity. -- Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (65)

Hilarious, yet offensive....oh well!
I watched this movie with my friend and it was so funny! Laugh-out-loud funny gags and spoofs. In this movie they spoofed alot of different movies: The Godfather movies, Scarface, Twister, The English Patient, Forrest Gump(run, florist, run!), they spoof even more, including Riverdance. The best part is the Child's Play/Lost World Jurassic Park spoof. A little boy named Chucky(he's dressed like the Chucky doll) is running through the forest. He falls over a log, and the compy dinosaurs(the small ones), jump over the log and attack him(his clothes fly over the log). The plot is well, confusing. But if you see it, you should get it(unlike me!). But, be warned, this isn't for kids! This has alot of stuff that's offensive, plus stuff they wouldn't get(like people sniffing drugs). Overall, it's a funny laugh-out-loud movie that spoofs the mafia. Throw in some top-notch actors, and you got one movie that's worth watching on a Friday night!

Who Keeps Greenlighting These "Hot Shots"-Like Spoofs!
The big question on my mind is what idiot keeps greenlighting these spoofs that are trying to immitate "Hot Shots!" This was probably one of the worst movies that I've ever seen. Jay Mohr keeps trying to build up an acting career, when in fact his comedy makes you want to laugh at how funny your wall is. I mean, come on! This movie was so stupid and overly dumb that I WANTED TO GO READ A BOOK FOR A WHILE! The funny thing about it is that I laughed through "Mafia" about as much as I did through "The Godfather". IT WAS THAT BAD! I don't even think I finished it because I didn't want my idea of a spoof to turn into fart jokes and terrible Marlon Brando impressions.

Bashful's DVD Summary #004
Best:

1) The sight gags and verbal funnies come fast and furious.
2) Many of the jokes are hilarious and will have you rolling.
3) You get to see classic gangster actors spoofing themselves.

Worst:

1) Some of the stuff was REALLY dumb (as in not funnny dumb).
2) Can you really have too many fart jokes? Yes.
3) There are no special features on the disk.

Recommendation:

If you liked the "Airplane", "Naked Gun" and "Hot Shots" type of movies, then you should like this one too. I say get it due to it's high rewatch value.

Essential!
One of my favorite movies of all time! This is a must for any comedy loving movie fan. If you like the Naked Gun Series, then you'll love this. Every detail of the movie is packed with humor, so much so that you have to watch it more than once to see it all. Get it, and you'll love it!

Wow!
This film is a wonderful compendium of spoofs on the entire gangster genre. Especially look out for the true emotion seen in the face of ATM Man with Double Chin!

The only part I couldn't really buy was a little boy swimming all the way to America from Sicily!! I mean that's not possible!! ... Read more

Amazon.com

In between the disaster movie satire Airplane! in 1980 and the hardboiled cop show parody The Naked Gun in 1988, the comedy crew of Jerry Zucker, Jim Abrahams, and David Zucker put together a picture that's almost as funny as their better-known hits. Top Secret! sends up spy movies and cheesy teen rock & roll musicals. Val Kilmer stars as swivel-hipped American rocker Nick Rivers, a sort of blonde Elvis whose secret weapon is Little Richard's tune "Tutti Fruitti." On tour behind the Iron Curtain, Nick strikes blows for democracy overtly and covertly, with his music as well as his espionage skills. In short, this is a very, very silly motion picture. Some great gags, including a subtitled scene in a Swedish book shop, and an inspired bit with a Ford Pinto that not everybody may get anymore. (The Pinto, you may or may not recall, was notoriously prone to gas tank explosions when rear-ended.) --Jim Emerson ... Read more

Reviews (97)

They Had It Coming
The creative Zucker/Abrahams/Zucker team behind the successful "The Naked Gun" and "Airplane!" spoof war and Elvis films in the surprising comedy "Top Secret!" An American rock idol (Val Kilmer) goes on a goodwill tour in East Germany and teams up with a freedom fighter (Lucy Gutteridge) to rescue her father from the dreaded East German High Command. The comic team delivers the same non-stop laughs as their previous hit "Airplane!" This very silly spoof contains hilarious comic scenes and great visual gags. The cast is inspiring with Omar Sharif and Peter Cushing in outstanding roles. The side-splitting comedy is presented in its 1.85:1 widescreen format. Its picture quality is disappointing but the 5.1 Dolby Digital sound is quite satisfactory. The menus are simple and unimpressive. The DVD includes alternate scenes, a feature-length commentary with filmmakers and its widescreen theatrical trailer. Like so many Paramount DVDs, "Top Secret!" doesn't surpass average and earns a "C+".

If you liked Airplane! you'll love Top Secret!
I've been a fan of the ZAZ team for as long as I can remember. And this is one of their classic films- Top Secret! spoofs both Elvis musicals and doubleya-doubleya two films- and does it really well. There's sight gags, background gags, puns, a scene shot entirely in reverse, an underwater saloon fight, what else do you want in a movie? I've watched Top Secret! on a regular basis for 15 years, whether it's the version I taped off of TV or the DVD, and am still not bored with it. I always find some new gag that somehow escaped me in previous viewings. While Top Secret! isn't as well known as Airplane!, it's just as hilarious. Watching it with the commentary is not advised- it's quite possibly the worst commentary track I've come across and it's mostly just a bunch of guys laughing. A note- the "alternate scenes" featured in the DVD were re-inserted for the TV version of the movie.

"You're alright now, I'm here. S'alright"
YEAHHHH!!!!!!!! this movie is flat-out FUNNAY! It's about this "American Rock 'n Roll Star" (kilmer) who helps a German girl find her father along with some pretty kewl cats. This movie has awesome not-obvious jokes and quotes you'll seriously LOVE until your dying day.

Well-Deserved Exclamation Point
Top Secret! - the Jim Abrahams/Zucker Bros.' follow-up to Airplane! - does for (or is that *to*) Elvis movies and WWII espionage films what the earlier feature did for/to the airborne disaster genre. The gags are slightly more immature (not necessarily a bad thing, but in some cases may have been better had they been allowed to age a little before being put into production), but some, like the forced-perspective oversize phone or saying farewell to the Scarecrow, rival anything the ZAZ team has ever done.

The music is a mixed bag. "Skeet Surfing" and the Macy's jingle are great. "Tutti-Fruitti" and "Straighten the Rug" are less so (not that every song in an Elvis movie was worthy of screen time, either). Kudos to Val Kilmer, though; even when he's camping it up, the musical numbers remain watch- and listenable.

The only thing I don't care for on the disc is the audio commentary. The production team really rips the movie apart as if they had tried to make a "serious" film that fell apart. In that case, learning why/how it failed would be interesting and instructive. To shred a spoof film, especially a sophomore and sophomoric effort like Top Secret!, is entirely unwarranted. Sure there are plot holes. Sure it makes no sense that submarine would crash into a prison dungeon. Sure some things are only mildly amusing. Drawing undue attention to them is doubly pointless. Sheesh! If you're a big fan, skip the commentary.

I really enjoyed this movie and really (mostly) enjoyed its presentation on the DVD. There aren't a lot of extras, but be sure to hunt for the Easter Egg - it's definitely worth finding.

A very clever "silly movie"
Besides being a little dated, this ecclectic comedy mixes spoofs, satire and every possible form of visual humour and adds up to a hilarious film that bases its strength in never letting the viewer rest.
Some visual gags are place in the background and need repeated views to be found, and enjoyed (like a statue shaped as a pigeon where humans stand on).
One example of the wacky sense of humour of this film is that the scene where Hillary and Nick go into the Swedish bookstore was staged, shot and then run backwards to make the dialog sound sweedish.
If you like movies like Airplane and Naked guns series you will have a little feast with this less known movie.
Watch for a young Val Kilmer in the leading role and a great cameo by Omar Shariff. ... Read more

Reviews (25)

Excellent parody
This movie is a special treat for mature war film buffs. It has great over-the-top acting with truely masterful comedic performances from a cast of veteran actors. Charlie Sheen has the ripped tough guy look downpat. The late Richard Crenna plays a perfect straight hard core military officer. Well paced,excellent production values,photography, sound effects, multiple layers of humor, with sight gags, and dialogue that uses many double meanings. LLoyd Bridges does a scene reminiscent of the famous early 1960's "Sea Hunt" series that is a side splitter. Tremendous political satire of Pres.Bush 41, and Saddam Hussein. The movie uses sexual situations and word play masterfully.( Ex. An Iraqi interrogator using Yiddish expressions) "Hot Shots! Part Duex" wickedly parodies the gun violence and martial arts in many action movies. If you have seen the TV series Sea Hunt, American Gladiators; the movies: Rambo, Navy Seals, Terminator II, KickBoxer, Apocalypse Now and know anything about the Iraq War.. you'll just fall out of your chair laughing. What "Blazing Saddles" did to the Western Genre and "Spaceballs" does to science fiction and "Shrek" did to animated films.. "Hot Shots! Part Duex" does to action war films.

2nd funniest movie of all time. - Finally on DVD....YES !
This movie is the 2nd funniest movie of all time, only because the first hot shots movie is slightly better and funnier. I'm still wondering where the DVD version of this is ? I'm wearing out my vhs tape watching this over and over again. Pat Proft is so good at comedy and if you watch Wrongfully Accused you realize he's responsible for some of the funniest parts of the movie and the classic, hilarious sound effects and sound humor.
You can't own Hot Shots without owing this, i love movies like this, that even the credits are funny. People actually stayed in the theater to watch the credits. Lloyd Bridges just makes this movie and Charlie Sheen is a great comedy actor. The Scene with the bow and arrow and the chicken is the classic scene from this movie, too bad they showed it in the trailer, when the movie came out. Can't have one without the other. Own both of the hot shots movies.

one of the funniest movies ever
This is definentely one of the top 10 funniest movies ever. There is never a dull moment in this movie which sets out to parody such action films as Rambo, and The Terminator. As the movie begins, US troops are being sent to rescue troops captured during the Gulf War, and to kill a guy. After the mission is failed, the president of the United States [Lloyd Bridges, who is absolutely hilarious as the president] needs to find Topper Harley to rescue the troops. They find Topper in the far east during a kickboxing match, and discover Topper is living with Buddhists. Topper agrees to go on a mission to rescue troops in Iraq. He gets deployed with several other troops near a jungle where they will be able to ambush the Iraqis. This movie has so many classic parts. I think the funniest are the Apocolypse Now parody with Martin Sheen, the kickboxing part, and any part in the movie involving Lloyd Bridges, the best probably being when he is talking to his cabinet about the captured soldiers[sabotage, what does it mean?] I hope you thoroughly enjoy this movie, I did.

wow
this is the funnest movie i have ever seen. i laghfed entill i had tears

...between Iraq and A Hard Place
If you like comedies, movies about the military, or comedy movies about the military, then grab this one. It's fully loaded with great site gags, one-liners, and jabs at those "serious" military flicks. A great group of cast members who play off each other remarkably well. You'll laugh yourself right out of your camouflaged BVDs. ... Read more

Reviews (25)

The Mother of all Slapstick
After setting the police profession back 100 years with the "Naked Gun" movie, director Jim Abrahams decided to set his sights on the military with "Hot Shots." And the military will never be the same again.

What makes this movie so much fun are the sight gags that are in almost every scene. As with all good slapstick comedy movies, there are too many sight gags for you to be able to catch them all the first, and even second, time around. Every time you watch this movie, you will find another sight gag that you hadn't noticed before.

The movie also comes with a great comedic cast. It stars Charlie Sheen who for the first time really gets a chance to show how funny he can be (his previous comedy movies are pretty much forgettable). He is supported by Jon Cryer, Lloyd Bridges, and Cary Elwes. Each of these people have a great track record on their own when it comes to comedy. Together, they make the movie work.

Hot Shots
Maybe it's just because I haven't seen Top Gun, but when I first saw this film I was absolutely clueless. Yeah, there were some funny parts and humor from the makers of Airplane, Naked Gun, and Mafia, but the plot fell a little short. Charlie Sheen plays Topper Harley and follows his fathers footsteps when he flies in the Navy. There's also other great appearances by Cary Elwes and Lloyd Bridges (getting a little older), and silly characters like Washout and Dead Meat. I suggest you see Top Gun first, maybe then you will get more of the jokes. I give credit to Jim Abrahams and Pat Proft, though, because Top Gun seems like a tough movie to spoof.

Hilarious!
Hot Shots is one of the funniest movies I've ever seen. Charlie Sheen is okay, but in my opinion, the real comic here is Lloyd Bridges, playing Admiral Benson. Of course there are many other funny characters including the wall-eyed vision Washout. If you like movies with stupid humor, this is a must see.

Great Goof Comedy!
If your not into those whacky comedy spoofs then you will hate this Parody of Top Gun, amongst other movies! But I love these kind of send up whacky comedys, and this one is high up there with the best of them all!

Charlie Sheen plays Topper Harley and has had a bad past with the US Air Force and has quit the army... but the Army needs him once again and with non stop stupidity and comedy through the movie from door bells on Indian Tee Pees, to Barbequing hot hots with the jets of fighter planes, and a dog that just keeps getting sat on amongst many others, this movie will have you laughing your tushy off!

Its no acadamey award winner, but thats obviously not the idea for this comic life movie! It parodys a lot of movies, mostly Top Gun, but adds its own great jokes to the plot with outrages slapstick humour!

Part 2 - Wasnt as great. It sends up alot of movies and the plot changes completly into a difreent type of movie! But if you can, the edition thats available in regoin 4 at the moment of Part one and Two togther in the same package is worth getting!

Good Despite Sheen
I guess you can see from the title of this review I am not a big Charlie Sheen fan. There were tons of men that would have shined in this film. Sheen does an okay job ( seeing how he isn't a comedian ) but he is overshadowed by a funny script and funnier co-stars. This film makes fun of famous dramas like " 9 1/2 Weeks " but is mainly a parody of " Top Gun ". Hot Shots is an enjoyable movie that sticks to a strong plot. It doesn't end up falling into that trap of " trying " to be funny like some spoofs. It's not as good as " Naked Gun " by all means but it is a heck of a lot better than " Hot Shots: Part Duex " which was far too silly for my taste. ... Read more

Description

In this fiendishly funny comedy from the creators of AIRPLANE!, loathesome millionaire Sam Stone (Danny DeVito) is ruthless. How ruthless? When his shrill wife Barbara (Bette Midler) is nabbed by inept kidnappers (Judge Reinhold, Helen Slater), Sam cries tears of joy ... and refuses to pay the ransom. And when the abductors threaten to kill the abrasive heiress, Sam takes immediate action -- he celebrates! RUTHLESS PEOPLE. Raucous ... outlandish ... one of the top box office hits of the year! ... Read more

Reviews (34)

A Comedy Classic with an All Star Cast!!!
I saw this movie on cable, several times, I watch it every chance I get, I don't personally own it, but it will soon come into my DVD collection. The main character is played by Danny DeVito who plays philandering, money hungry tycoon Sam Stone(Danny plays this character with such relish) who has made enemies of the couple played by Helen Slater and Judge Rheinhold, whom he has wronged. They retaliate by kidnapping his wife played by Bette Middler. Put it this way the kidnappers end up being the most likable characters in the movie, with all the manuevers done by Sam Stone, his mistress played by Anita Morris, her dumb as a rock boyfriend played by Bill Pullman, the Police Commissioner, and the unsuspecting wife played by Betty Middler, who hopes to be rescued by her husband. It is funny, intelligent and it takes you for a cool entertaining ride with it's plot twists.

An 80's comedy time capsule!
I hope everyone didn't forget that Bette Midler was the highest grossing female film star of the 80's! This is the classic that will prove how she got the attention. This was released after Down And Out In Beverly Hills which brought Bette back into popularity at the movies. In fact, Down... is probably considered her funniest movie. I think Ruthless outshines all her comedies. It's sooo 80's, too! Scene after scene, this movie moves along with no time to be bored. Acting is perfect by all. Although Danny and Bette are never seen together until the end, they look so cute together. Danny Devito wants his abrasive wife kidnaped! Judge Reinhold had his multi million dollar idea stolen from Devito. Devito's mistress wants his money. And did I mention the serial killer? Very funny! I hope this will soon be re-released on DVD!

Fumbling kidnappers join forces with victim
Bette Midler in yet another one of her pain-in-the-neck roles. The wife of a wealthy man (played by Danny DeVito) is kidnapped for ransome by a desperate young couple (definite novices to the kidnapping racket), only to learn that DeVito has no intention of paying up, as he had long been tired of his nagging wife. DeVito plays up the heart-broken husband to police, while Midler and her captors are devising a plan to get even with the s.o.b.

There are many hilarious scenes, and even some moving moments of emotional sweetness, but soon past the half-way mark the engines lose steam. By the time everyone reaches the finish-line, the hot-cake has definitely cooled off. Still an enjoyable piece of light-hearted comedy, slap-stick, non-sense and all.****

'I've been kidnapped by K-Mart!"
Extremely funny movie. Danny Devito plays the part of a husband who married his wife for her money and now wants to get rid of her (he's got a girlfriend on the side). Bette Middler plays the loud-mouth rich wife. Just when Devito decides to put his plans into action, she is kidnapped. He is thrilled and refuses to pay the ransom hoping the kidnappers will follow through on their threat to knock her off if he doesn't pay up. While he's laughing and celebrating, the police think he's mourning. The kidnappers find they've taken on more than the average kidnapped victim, especially since they are really a soft-hearted couple who felt Danny owed them for ripping off the wife's idea. Bette Midler is no tame, soft spoken woman.

The movie is one of those side-splitting comedies that is great from the start to the finish! Enjoy!

Ruthlessly Funny
Sam Stone only married his wife, Barbara, for her money. Now he's anxious to get rid of her. Before he can do the deed, though, someone does him a huge favor by kidnapping her. What could be better? All he has to do is not pay the ransom and his problem is solved. Barbara's bungling kidnappers find themselves stuck with a worthless hostage.

RUTHLESS PEOPLE is a very funny movie. It's well plotted, well acted and keeps you laughing all the way. While not quite a classic, it was one of the top comedies of the mid-80's and resurrected Bette Midler's movie career. My only caution is that this is definitely NOT a movie for kids. Crude language is scattered throughout and there is some blatantly sexual material. While it might offend a few people, it's pretty mild by current standards. You could see almost as much in a Super Bowl halftime show.

I've liked RUTHLESS PEOPLE ever since I first saw it at the theater. It's a first-rate adult comedy. If you'd like some laughs, this is a good choice. ... Read more

Reviews (25)

The Mother of all Slapstick
After setting the police profession back 100 years with the "Naked Gun" movie, director Jim Abrahams decided to set his sights on the military with "Hot Shots." And the military will never be the same again.

What makes this movie so much fun are the sight gags that are in almost every scene. As with all good slapstick comedy movies, there are too many sight gags for you to be able to catch them all the first, and even second, time around. Every time you watch this movie, you will find another sight gag that you hadn't noticed before.

The movie also comes with a great comedic cast. It stars Charlie Sheen who for the first time really gets a chance to show how funny he can be (his previous comedy movies are pretty much forgettable). He is supported by Jon Cryer, Lloyd Bridges, and Cary Elwes. Each of these people have a great track record on their own when it comes to comedy. Together, they make the movie work.

Hot Shots
Maybe it's just because I haven't seen Top Gun, but when I first saw this film I was absolutely clueless. Yeah, there were some funny parts and humor from the makers of Airplane, Naked Gun, and Mafia, but the plot fell a little short. Charlie Sheen plays Topper Harley and follows his fathers footsteps when he flies in the Navy. There's also other great appearances by Cary Elwes and Lloyd Bridges (getting a little older), and silly characters like Washout and Dead Meat. I suggest you see Top Gun first, maybe then you will get more of the jokes. I give credit to Jim Abrahams and Pat Proft, though, because Top Gun seems like a tough movie to spoof.

Hilarious!
Hot Shots is one of the funniest movies I've ever seen. Charlie Sheen is okay, but in my opinion, the real comic here is Lloyd Bridges, playing Admiral Benson. Of course there are many other funny characters including the wall-eyed vision Washout. If you like movies with stupid humor, this is a must see.

Great Goof Comedy!
If your not into those whacky comedy spoofs then you will hate this Parody of Top Gun, amongst other movies! But I love these kind of send up whacky comedys, and this one is high up there with the best of them all!

Charlie Sheen plays Topper Harley and has had a bad past with the US Air Force and has quit the army... but the Army needs him once again and with non stop stupidity and comedy through the movie from door bells on Indian Tee Pees, to Barbequing hot hots with the jets of fighter planes, and a dog that just keeps getting sat on amongst many others, this movie will have you laughing your tushy off!

Its no acadamey award winner, but thats obviously not the idea for this comic life movie! It parodys a lot of movies, mostly Top Gun, but adds its own great jokes to the plot with outrages slapstick humour!

Part 2 - Wasnt as great. It sends up alot of movies and the plot changes completly into a difreent type of movie! But if you can, the edition thats available in regoin 4 at the moment of Part one and Two togther in the same package is worth getting!

Good Despite Sheen
I guess you can see from the title of this review I am not a big Charlie Sheen fan. There were tons of men that would have shined in this film. Sheen does an okay job ( seeing how he isn't a comedian ) but he is overshadowed by a funny script and funnier co-stars. This film makes fun of famous dramas like " 9 1/2 Weeks " but is mainly a parody of " Top Gun ". Hot Shots is an enjoyable movie that sticks to a strong plot. It doesn't end up falling into that trap of " trying " to be funny like some spoofs. It's not as good as " Naked Gun " by all means but it is a heck of a lot better than " Hot Shots: Part Duex " which was far too silly for my taste. ... Read more