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Disney couldn't resist the temptation to remake 1961's popular comedy The Absent Minded Professor, so they cast Robin Williams as Professor Philip Brainard (a role vaguely related to the character originated by Fred MacMurray), and the result is a comedy that, frankly, doesn't fully deserve its modest success. It's admittedly clever to a point, and certainly the digitally "flubberized" special effects provide the kind of movie magic that's entertaining for kids and parents alike. The professor can't even remember his own wedding day (much to the chagrin of his fiancée, played by Marcia Gay Harden), and now his academic rival (Christopher McDonald) is trying to steal his latest and purely accidental invention--flying rubber, or ... flubber. The green goo magnifies energy and can be used as an amazing source of power, but in the hands of screenwriter John Hughes it becomes just another excuse to recycle a lot of Home Alone-style slapstick humor involving a pair of bumbling would-be flubber thieves. There's also a floating robot named Weebo and some catchy music by Danny Elfman to accompany dancing globs of flubber, but the story's too thin to add up to anything special. Lightweight fun, but, given the title, it lacks a certain bounce. Of course, that didn't stop Disney's marketing wizards from turning it into a home-video hit. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (27)

Cute But Absentmindedly Twisted
Recently I went to a theater showing the Disney remake, Flubber, starring Robin Williams. Although I still prefer the original The Absent Minded Professor, Flubber was a whole lot of fun.

Robin Williams plays a science professor looking for a new form of energy. As the film opens, Williams is already in danger of missing his own wedding for the third time. But while guests wait patiently Williams discovers the semi-intelligent Flubber. Much of the rest of the film is spent trying to win back the heart of his fiance and subsequently save the collage from bankruptcy and closure. Williams is aided in his endeavors by two robots. The first is an exceptionally capable housekeeping robot. The second is a levitating, self-aware intelligence with full emotions. While fun companions movie-wise, the technical aspects of these robots would be more than enough for Williams to save the college. In the End Williams wins back his fiancé, defeats the bad guys trying to close the college and finds a future for Flubber.

While Flubber is very enjoyable it seems like the writers added details for the sake of cuteness without thinking about the implications. Williams is looking for a new energy source yet he has a robot that can defy gravity and powered by simple electricity. He needs a discovery worth money yet he has two very successful and useful robots, one of them alive. Flubber itself has been made into some kind of life form. This may be good for merchandising but one can only wonder about the source of powdered Flubber or the implications of flight resulting from intentionally causing the organism's decay. Selling the rights to flying cars to Ford made for a funny scene but now there can potentially be millions of semi-responsible drivers flying through the country's airlanes while carrying radioactive materials. Additionally, a few scenes were changed from the original and are now less plausible. For instance, in the original, the fiancé calls the professor when he is late for the wedding again.

So if you are looking for fun then this is your movie. However, if you tend to rebel at inconsistencies and like your plots to make sense, then you might want to avoid this one. It's up to you.

Suitable for kids aged 0-100!
Oh, I loved this movie, I was so surprised. Robin Williams is a brilliant actor, and he's in his comedic element here! He plays a mad scientist who keeps on postponing his wedding to create his ultimate invention - FLUBBER - a rubbery substance that has a life of its own and can make you fly. Yes, I'm 30 years old and an action fan, and a guy that doesn't appreciate chick flicks. but kids flicks I can tolerate. My five-year old niece had this for her birthday, I sat and watched it with her and laughed out loud all the way through. The special effects are superb as well!

Typical unimaginative Disney claptrap.
Have you ever been invited to some friends' house for an evening and thought that you were going to be doing something interesting or fun, only to find out that they rented a video for all of you to watch? It's always something you never would have rented for yourself in a million years.
For all of it's former ingenuity and creativity, today's Disney films certainly have a habit of showing a lack of imagination and originality. If you think about it, most of today's Disney animated films are based on old stories that have been around forever, and most of the studio's live action films are remakes of early Disney-era classics. This is not to say that the occasional enjoyable Disney film doesn't make an appearance at your local theater now and then. Some of them are hard not to enjoy.
When the overpaid, brain-dead executives at Disney decided to remake the 1961 hit film, "The Absent-Minded Professor", they indicated the type of audience the film would be catering to by dumbing down the title of the film to "Flubber".
"The Absent-Minded Professor" is not necessarily one of my very favorite of Disney's classic era 50s and 60s films, but it was a well-written, creative story that could be enjoyed by kids and adults alike, and it has held up pretty well through the decades. This remake is nothing more than an attempt to show what can be done with today's overblown computer animation technology. In the story, an absent-minded professor, who's always forgetting his wedding date (this is where the mandatory love interest comes into play), accidentally invents a form of bouncing, flying synthetic rubber, and as luck would have it, is able to use it to help the local high school basketball team finally win a game. The fate of the free world seems to hinge on this small town team winning this game. That simple story was enough to make the 1961 film a winner with audiences but today's kids (and some adults) would find that boring because they've had technology shoved down their throats since birth. So in this new film, we have incredibly stupid scenes such as the little blobs of Flubber changing into the shape of little fat men and dancing to rhythmic quasi-Latin music. The Flubber men also change their shapes to become different Latin percussion instruments during the song. Oh, that Disney magic! What would we do without it to make our lives worth living???
This is a fairly repulsive film for a non-thinking audience.

Flubber
A Great Movie!!!! I laughed alot! I like the way the flubber entered the Villian's mouth and went thru his system and came out of his Butt was extremely funny. The crooks getting hit in the head with the golf ball and bowling ball was funny and the crooks saying it sure gives you a headache. The only bad thing about the movie is some cussing that should have been left out.

Dancing Globs make me wozzy
Wow this was disappointing. The stupid parts outweight the good stuff. What a waste. With all the potential to make a real interesting story, and with all the high tech capabilities now vs when the original was made this should have been a real fun movie to watch. It is not. Most of my kids had left the room before the end. definitely rent before you buy. ... Read more

Reviews (35)

Every bit as good as the original in my opinion
I love that this remake didn't sell out very much, and put in too much modern stuff. It is very successful in keeping a "traditional" feel, with only a few exceptions. Mara Wilson is absolutely delightful and classic in her performance, and I really like Elizabeth Perkins' reproduction of the original role. And Dylan McDermott, whom I typically find very flat and dull, is sweet and charming as the sincere bachelor attorney with an eye for Perkins.

Richard Attenborough is amazing as Santa, at least as good as the formidable original. The scene in the original featuring Santa visiting with the Dutch war refugee girl is replaced in this remake with Santa visiting with a little deaf girl. The scene in the original is about as sweet as any scene in any movie ever, and the remake is even sweeter! The deaf girl's face, when Santa talks to her in sign language, is absolutely worth the price of this DVD.

The only real weakness for me was the John DeLancie and Jane Leeves part of the movie, as two "evil" agents for the "enemy" department store (where all the upper management wears all black). They reminded me of Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern from "Home Alone" -- sort of bumbling bad guys in a bad cartoon sort of way.

So all in all, I really think that this version is as good or better than the original, which is simply too dated in a few respects for me to be able to enjoy unconditionally. I think both of them are definitely worth owning.

A TERRIBLE AND UNNECESSARY REMAKE...
First things first...why even bother to remake such a great movie. Oh, I know, it was remade in the 1970's with sebastian Cabot in a made for TV movie, but still. This is a classic that will always stand on its own.

You will never be able to surpass the original, the bar is too high. You know the story...a man who looks like Santa is hired to play Jolly Ol' St. Nick at a department store and then gets into trouble when he insists he's the real deal.

Unfortunately, this movie has none of the warmth, charm, humor, or magick of the original. The actors all seem to be sleep walking, the little girl playing the Natalie Wood role is annoying, and the courtroom sequence and ending is devoid of the magic that made you wonder if there really is a Santa.

Skip this and stick with the original

A fine remake
Let me say two things.
1. I love old movies.
2. I mistrust remakes.
However, I loved this remake. It has become a regular part of our Christmas for the past 10 years. My wife loves it and I do as well. Get it now!!

Has It's Moments But Lacks the Warmth of the Original!
This remake has it's moments and has a very good cast, Richard Attenborough, Dylan McDermott, Elizabeth Perkins and Mara Wilson but it can't hold a candle to the original black and white version and lacks the warmth of that old classic. The actors were fine, it was the atmosphere of the movie that I found kind of cold and lacking of charm compared to the original version This is only my personal opinion.

Mawkish treacle--no replacing the original
For every movie remake that improves on, or at least stands apart from, its original (1986's The Fly and 1999's The Thomas Crown Affair leap to mind), there are a dozen remakes like this one that serve only to remind everyone how superior the original is. Even presenting the remake in color seems like a mistake--George Seaton's 1947 original, with its black-and-white, almost documentary-like presentation, gives a realistic foundation to its fantasy concept. The 1994 remake, on the other hand, is suffused with a burnished glow that gives the film the look of a Hallmark card, with about as much depth. And don't look to the new script for help. As re-imagined by writer/producer John Hughes, the update's only new wrinkles are an "evil" toy-store chain to rival the "good" one, protracted courtroom sequences, and a finale that has neither the visual nor logical wit of the mail-delivery denouement of the original. Only the remake's strong cast makes it even remotely watchable. Richard Attenborough is a fine Kris Kringle, Elizabeth Perkins shines as a single mom, and little Mara Wilson is very appealing in the role originally played by Natalie Wood. It's also fun to see veteran heavies James Remar and J.T. Walsh take their villainy down a few notches. The only real disappointment is Dylan McDermott, who can't match the original's John Payne for rakish charm. On the whole, the only real significance of this film--except to make the original seem all the better--is to help chart the decline of John Hughes' once-promising career. Hughes raised the bar on teen comedy (Sixteen Candles,The Breakfast Club) and directed one brilliant "grown-up" film (1987's Planes, Trains and Automobiles) before giving up to oversee the recycling of other material, including his own, into enterprises whose ambitions never seemed to rise above "make lots of money." (Subsequent Hughes remakes include Flubber and 101 Dalmatians, and more Home Alone sequels than Federal law should allow.) In the end, the 1994 Miracle on 34th street is serviceable background fodder while you wrap presents or trim the tree, but if you want a movie to WATCH, get the original. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

A brilliant what-if movie
After watching "Caveman" ASIN: 6302658489, to see what life was really like way back then, it is time to speculate on what-if a cave dweller was thawed out in our time. We can not just chose anyone to portray a cave man in today's environment. So we pick an expert that already thinks this way, Brendan Fraser. To balance this we must also find someone to portray the serious scholar that observes and guides him through the intricacies of today's environment from driving to the Seven-Eleven; that person can only be Pauly Shore. Every serious scholar must have a protagonist to anchor the story, hence Sean Astin later to play "Kurt Vonnegut's Harrison Bergeron" (1995) ASIN: 6303801919

Will the displaced caveman adapt? Will he survive? Is the cheese old and moldy? And more to the point will you survive with out laughing to death?

a must see
it is an fantastic concept for a movie plot. just how much trouble can a frozen man from the past get in? this man is even less refined than tarzan but has a better sense of humour. if your feeling down and want a pick me up this is a must see.

Hysterical!
This is the best movie. I'm a little partial to Pauly being from his home town, but this movie would be a favorite of mine even I wasn't. You will ROLL on the floor, whether you love him or hate him, he and Brendan Fraser and Sean Austin make a great team!

Pauly, what can I say? You ROCK BU-DDY!
Ok, I know I'm very partial to anything with Pauly Shore in it and I am a very devoted fan. But my brother absolutly HATES Pauly an still likes this movie("why are you watching In the Army Now? Encino Man's better")Most of my friends hate Pauly too and yet I still find them laughing as they watch him on my TV. This is one of my fav movies(I love when everyone is dancing at the prom-it rocks!) One last thing- PAULY, I LOVE YOU! gO 2 MY SITE IF YOU LIKE PAULY!

OH MY GOD!
OH MY GOD! Pauly Shore was actually funny............what is this world coming too! This was a great movie. One of my fav.'s. Buy it whenever you get the chance. This movie is so cool. ... Read more

Reviews (103)

Guns, guys and horses!
Ok, if you want something historically accurate this film is not for you. But its not supposed to be accurate; its supposed to entertain , and boy, it does just that!
Right from the starting scene in a civil war battlefield and on to the end, the thrills never stop. It'll have you sitting on the edge of your chair or jumping up and down in excitement all the way through!
Farrell is an excellant Jesse (and very handsome too!), set off well by Scott Caan's equally brilliant Cole Younger. When Frank and Jesse James Return to Liberty, Missouri after the civil war, they find things greatly changed. The railroad is heading West and it needs their land. Jesse and Frank refuse to sell and create a spread of rebellion throughout their village. After seeing their Ma brutally murdered by the railroad men, the James brothers join forces with the Youngers and begin careers as outlaws in order to stop the railroad's advance.
The film does have a slightly romantic edge in the form of Zie, Jesse's beautiful fiancee (Ali Larter).
American Outlaws is equal to Pirates of the Caribbean for excitement, yet being shorter it doesn't even drag in the slightest. Infact, its only fault has to be that it lacks a Jack Sparrow, but with Bob Younger's wisecracks you scarcely notice it.
If, like me, you lost your heart to the West long ago you'd be a fool to miss this film. Even if you ain't lost your heart to nobody, you'd still be a fool.
So cowboys, saddle up; Let's Ride!!

A shallow movie for shallow viewers
This is to movies what "Springtime For Hitler" was to plays.

The Jameses and the Youngers were part of outlaw raiding parties against Northern towns during the Civil War and murdered people during their bank robberies. If you want to make a fun, fictional movie, use fictional names.

I don't have a quarrel with the reviewers that said they knew the plot was fiction, but liked the movie for its entertainment or good-looking cast. That's your choice. But when reviews say that Colin Farrell "is completely believable as Jesse," that "the history of Jesse, Frank, and Jim were accurate," or the movie "shows the motivation and the reasoning behind the famous outlaw gang," I feel like I'm watching auditions for "Street Smarts."

The movie tells you that the James-Younger gang was heroically fighting oppression by the railroads. In truth, they were thieves and murderers. If you want to see what the gang did to people--including shooting a father going to the aid of his fallen son-- ...

It's wrong to make cold-blooded killers out as heroes just for the sake of a few box office dollars, whether it was 10 years ago or 130 years ago. To those that say "historical accuracy is a moot point," that may be your opinion, but it's certainly not mine.

Okay, if you can get past the modern accents and dumb girl
The action scenes in this movie are GREAT. I can get past all the other stupid stuff in this movie just to watch those. I think they should have cut out the part where they come back home and chat with all their friends because that just slows down the movie, but once you get past all that, the movie just keeps you jumping in your seat. Yes, the actors' lines are kind of dumb in some parts (only SOME parts!!) and Ali Larter is not the best actress, and sometimes Colin Farrell forgets he's not supposed to be Irish in this movie and Scott Caan still sounds too much like he's not out of high school yet- but hey it's not all that bad. There's a good plot and lots of humour and good fight scenes. If you're not a super overly critical and picky person you'll find yourself a decent movie that's entertaining and has a good ending. The Special Features are great. They give you a lot of inside info into the making which is always a treat to watch after seeing a good movie. Go for it!

BAD, VERY BAD
Can somebody believe those baby face actors, look like tough cowboys? I've always seen men playing cowboys in films, not smooth-faced teens. And who had the idea to put a rap in a western movie? If Colin Farrel wants to be a good actor he musn't accept these characters, and Scott Caan is very far from be that good actor his father is. And Ali LArter? She looks like a Barbie in cowgirl disguise, it takes more than a pretty face and whipped cream bikini to be a good actress.

Keeo your money in your pocket and buy one of those good old western movies, you'll see good actors and good movies with good plots. Not this nonsense.

The South might've won...
I liked the movie American Outlaws. Even though hollywood took its creative liberties or whatever you want to call it with the historical facts, it still was an awesome movie! The Younger farm was in Lee's Summit, MO and the James farm was in Kearney, MO definitely more than a days ride by horse between the two. Other than that it is a story told by the southerners and southern sympathizers from the north. This is definitely the story we didn't hear in the yankee schools of the north. If you're looking for a cool western with the look and feel of the civil war and young america in missouri, then this is for you. My favorite was Gabriel Macht, who portrayed Frank James. All the characters played well off of each other but his character held the gang together he was the intelligent calm voice of reason. So enjoy this is a funny dramatic western all rolled up into one! ... Read more

Reviews (66)

OK Comedy/Action Movie!
This is a Martin Lawrence vehicle all the way. It's the first time he has to carry a whole movie and he comes out semi/successful. The plot is passable and the screenplay manages to create some likable characters, mainly Luke Wilson. Also with some nice action sequences. Lawrence brand of comedy may not appeal to some, Martin Lawrence plays it safe doing an impression of Eddie Murphy in 'Beverly Hills Cop' and '48 Hours'. Ultimately successful at being funny and entertaining. From a scale of 1-10 I give this film a 6!

Great Ensemble Cast,Incredible Disc,Great Sound,Hillarious.
This Movie is Sooooo Good, For One I like it because it has william forsythe,and anyone who's seen the movie gotti, he played sammy gravano, very well, he's an excellent talent, martin lawrence is also an incredible talent,it's a pleasure just to watch him in any film, but this story isn't even half bad, it's actually very good, david chapelle - with martin, they've got this tremendous chemistry together, they just "flow" - worth the price of admission alone, there is a great soundtrack, So Plus, Featuring Ja Rule(Also One of the Features Music Video's In the Extras.) You've Got Tyrese and Heavy D(The Second One.) And You've got the man Of NY Himself, Jigga, Jay-z In Girls Best Friend, These Videos are alone worth the Price, you've got "two" making of documentaries,this disc is loaded, also there is a scene in the movie, where martin "jams" to his music, in the film itself, there is a Joint In it by the hot boys, Juvey,B.G.Lil Wayne, and Young Turk, This is easily one of my favorite films of all time, because when you watch it, you don't get that usual "tired" feeling, it's just so pleasurable, like champagne, and a big fat cuban cigar, ment to be enjoyed, you'll watch this movie, several times over, you'll listen to Ja Rule's Video, hundreds of times over, it's incredible, so push, the features artists to me, they bring to mind En Vogue, They've definately got talent, and the Soundtrack BUMPS, GET THIS DISC! , I'm Out.

Mindless Fun
In one of the few movies where Martin Lawrence's humor doesn't become seriously racist and xenophobic he plays Miles Logan, a jewel thief, after a $20 million diamond. But one of his team betrays him (Peter Greene, once again playing a bad guy) and they're plan is thrown all out of whack. After hastily stashing the diamond in a nearby construction site he is soon arrested sent away for 2 years.

Upon release he heads back to the construction site only to find it's turned into a police station. No luck getting back in unless you're a cop then. A series of disguises fail and Logan ends up impersonating a cop in order to get to the diamond. But he's so good at the impersonation that police duty gets in the way and he's partnered with Carlson (Luke Wilson).

Mild plot complications ensue and it becomes increasingly difficult for Logan to get to the diamond. Though the trouble really starts when Deacon (Peter Greene) comes back to get him.

It's all brainless stuff but it makes for enjoyably silly viewing. Lawrence's improv isn't all that funny but the rest of his performance is strangely tolerable. Wilson isn't his usual self in the wimpy cop role but it's weird watching him pronounce 'real OLD SCHOOL' 4 years before said movie was released. And Dave Chappelle is hilarious Tulley, the amateur liquor store robber.

There was supposed to be a sequel but plans for it fell through. It would have been a hundred times better than the awful Bad Boys sequel regardless of script quality.

The DVD is in bright, clean 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen with a lively Dolby 5.1 soundtrack. There are some extras but nothing groundbreaking.

A man with a plan
Martin Lawrence, (Miles Logan), plays a jewel theif who is arrested by police and returns to the place where he left his jewel only to find that it is a police station after his release from prision. He becomes a police while trying to find his jewel and actually solves crimes. Martin Lawerence has a good role and a good sense of humor in this film.

This movie has jokes
funny, both cast and story. Loved it and sure you'll love it too, not just another comedy but this has something rare, comedy and action. ... Read more

Reviews (66)

OK Comedy/Action Movie!
This is a Martin Lawrence vehicle all the way. It's the first time he has to carry a whole movie and he comes out semi/successful. The plot is passable and the screenplay manages to create some likable characters, mainly Luke Wilson. Also with some nice action sequences. Lawrence brand of comedy may not appeal to some, Martin Lawrence plays it safe doing an impression of Eddie Murphy in 'Beverly Hills Cop' and '48 Hours'. Ultimately successful at being funny and entertaining. From a scale of 1-10 I give this film a 6!

Great Ensemble Cast,Incredible Disc,Great Sound,Hillarious.
This Movie is Sooooo Good, For One I like it because it has william forsythe,and anyone who's seen the movie gotti, he played sammy gravano, very well, he's an excellent talent, martin lawrence is also an incredible talent,it's a pleasure just to watch him in any film, but this story isn't even half bad, it's actually very good, david chapelle - with martin, they've got this tremendous chemistry together, they just "flow" - worth the price of admission alone, there is a great soundtrack, So Plus, Featuring Ja Rule(Also One of the Features Music Video's In the Extras.) You've Got Tyrese and Heavy D(The Second One.) And You've got the man Of NY Himself, Jigga, Jay-z In Girls Best Friend, These Videos are alone worth the Price, you've got "two" making of documentaries,this disc is loaded, also there is a scene in the movie, where martin "jams" to his music, in the film itself, there is a Joint In it by the hot boys, Juvey,B.G.Lil Wayne, and Young Turk, This is easily one of my favorite films of all time, because when you watch it, you don't get that usual "tired" feeling, it's just so pleasurable, like champagne, and a big fat cuban cigar, ment to be enjoyed, you'll watch this movie, several times over, you'll listen to Ja Rule's Video, hundreds of times over, it's incredible, so push, the features artists to me, they bring to mind En Vogue, They've definately got talent, and the Soundtrack BUMPS, GET THIS DISC! , I'm Out.

Mindless Fun
In one of the few movies where Martin Lawrence's humor doesn't become seriously racist and xenophobic he plays Miles Logan, a jewel thief, after a $20 million diamond. But one of his team betrays him (Peter Greene, once again playing a bad guy) and they're plan is thrown all out of whack. After hastily stashing the diamond in a nearby construction site he is soon arrested sent away for 2 years.

Upon release he heads back to the construction site only to find it's turned into a police station. No luck getting back in unless you're a cop then. A series of disguises fail and Logan ends up impersonating a cop in order to get to the diamond. But he's so good at the impersonation that police duty gets in the way and he's partnered with Carlson (Luke Wilson).

Mild plot complications ensue and it becomes increasingly difficult for Logan to get to the diamond. Though the trouble really starts when Deacon (Peter Greene) comes back to get him.

It's all brainless stuff but it makes for enjoyably silly viewing. Lawrence's improv isn't all that funny but the rest of his performance is strangely tolerable. Wilson isn't his usual self in the wimpy cop role but it's weird watching him pronounce 'real OLD SCHOOL' 4 years before said movie was released. And Dave Chappelle is hilarious Tulley, the amateur liquor store robber.

There was supposed to be a sequel but plans for it fell through. It would have been a hundred times better than the awful Bad Boys sequel regardless of script quality.

The DVD is in bright, clean 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen with a lively Dolby 5.1 soundtrack. There are some extras but nothing groundbreaking.

A man with a plan
Martin Lawrence, (Miles Logan), plays a jewel theif who is arrested by police and returns to the place where he left his jewel only to find that it is a police station after his release from prision. He becomes a police while trying to find his jewel and actually solves crimes. Martin Lawerence has a good role and a good sense of humor in this film.

This movie has jokes
funny, both cast and story. Loved it and sure you'll love it too, not just another comedy but this has something rare, comedy and action. ... Read more

Reviews (103)

Guns, guys and horses!
Ok, if you want something historically accurate this film is not for you. But its not supposed to be accurate; its supposed to entertain , and boy, it does just that!
Right from the starting scene in a civil war battlefield and on to the end, the thrills never stop. It'll have you sitting on the edge of your chair or jumping up and down in excitement all the way through!
Farrell is an excellant Jesse (and very handsome too!), set off well by Scott Caan's equally brilliant Cole Younger. When Frank and Jesse James Return to Liberty, Missouri after the civil war, they find things greatly changed. The railroad is heading West and it needs their land. Jesse and Frank refuse to sell and create a spread of rebellion throughout their village. After seeing their Ma brutally murdered by the railroad men, the James brothers join forces with the Youngers and begin careers as outlaws in order to stop the railroad's advance.
The film does have a slightly romantic edge in the form of Zie, Jesse's beautiful fiancee (Ali Larter).
American Outlaws is equal to Pirates of the Caribbean for excitement, yet being shorter it doesn't even drag in the slightest. Infact, its only fault has to be that it lacks a Jack Sparrow, but with Bob Younger's wisecracks you scarcely notice it.
If, like me, you lost your heart to the West long ago you'd be a fool to miss this film. Even if you ain't lost your heart to nobody, you'd still be a fool.
So cowboys, saddle up; Let's Ride!!

A shallow movie for shallow viewers
This is to movies what "Springtime For Hitler" was to plays.

The Jameses and the Youngers were part of outlaw raiding parties against Northern towns during the Civil War and murdered people during their bank robberies. If you want to make a fun, fictional movie, use fictional names.

I don't have a quarrel with the reviewers that said they knew the plot was fiction, but liked the movie for its entertainment or good-looking cast. That's your choice. But when reviews say that Colin Farrell "is completely believable as Jesse," that "the history of Jesse, Frank, and Jim were accurate," or the movie "shows the motivation and the reasoning behind the famous outlaw gang," I feel like I'm watching auditions for "Street Smarts."

The movie tells you that the James-Younger gang was heroically fighting oppression by the railroads. In truth, they were thieves and murderers. If you want to see what the gang did to people--including shooting a father going to the aid of his fallen son-- ...

It's wrong to make cold-blooded killers out as heroes just for the sake of a few box office dollars, whether it was 10 years ago or 130 years ago. To those that say "historical accuracy is a moot point," that may be your opinion, but it's certainly not mine.

Okay, if you can get past the modern accents and dumb girl
The action scenes in this movie are GREAT. I can get past all the other stupid stuff in this movie just to watch those. I think they should have cut out the part where they come back home and chat with all their friends because that just slows down the movie, but once you get past all that, the movie just keeps you jumping in your seat. Yes, the actors' lines are kind of dumb in some parts (only SOME parts!!) and Ali Larter is not the best actress, and sometimes Colin Farrell forgets he's not supposed to be Irish in this movie and Scott Caan still sounds too much like he's not out of high school yet- but hey it's not all that bad. There's a good plot and lots of humour and good fight scenes. If you're not a super overly critical and picky person you'll find yourself a decent movie that's entertaining and has a good ending. The Special Features are great. They give you a lot of inside info into the making which is always a treat to watch after seeing a good movie. Go for it!

BAD, VERY BAD
Can somebody believe those baby face actors, look like tough cowboys? I've always seen men playing cowboys in films, not smooth-faced teens. And who had the idea to put a rap in a western movie? If Colin Farrel wants to be a good actor he musn't accept these characters, and Scott Caan is very far from be that good actor his father is. And Ali LArter? She looks like a Barbie in cowgirl disguise, it takes more than a pretty face and whipped cream bikini to be a good actress.

Keeo your money in your pocket and buy one of those good old western movies, you'll see good actors and good movies with good plots. Not this nonsense.

The South might've won...
I liked the movie American Outlaws. Even though hollywood took its creative liberties or whatever you want to call it with the historical facts, it still was an awesome movie! The Younger farm was in Lee's Summit, MO and the James farm was in Kearney, MO definitely more than a days ride by horse between the two. Other than that it is a story told by the southerners and southern sympathizers from the north. This is definitely the story we didn't hear in the yankee schools of the north. If you're looking for a cool western with the look and feel of the civil war and young america in missouri, then this is for you. My favorite was Gabriel Macht, who portrayed Frank James. All the characters played well off of each other but his character held the gang together he was the intelligent calm voice of reason. So enjoy this is a funny dramatic western all rolled up into one! ... Read more

Reviews (35)

Every bit as good as the original in my opinion
I love that this remake didn't sell out very much, and put in too much modern stuff. It is very successful in keeping a "traditional" feel, with only a few exceptions. Mara Wilson is absolutely delightful and classic in her performance, and I really like Elizabeth Perkins' reproduction of the original role. And Dylan McDermott, whom I typically find very flat and dull, is sweet and charming as the sincere bachelor attorney with an eye for Perkins.

Richard Attenborough is amazing as Santa, at least as good as the formidable original. The scene in the original featuring Santa visiting with the Dutch war refugee girl is replaced in this remake with Santa visiting with a little deaf girl. The scene in the original is about as sweet as any scene in any movie ever, and the remake is even sweeter! The deaf girl's face, when Santa talks to her in sign language, is absolutely worth the price of this DVD.

The only real weakness for me was the John DeLancie and Jane Leeves part of the movie, as two "evil" agents for the "enemy" department store (where all the upper management wears all black). They reminded me of Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern from "Home Alone" -- sort of bumbling bad guys in a bad cartoon sort of way.

So all in all, I really think that this version is as good or better than the original, which is simply too dated in a few respects for me to be able to enjoy unconditionally. I think both of them are definitely worth owning.

A TERRIBLE AND UNNECESSARY REMAKE...
First things first...why even bother to remake such a great movie. Oh, I know, it was remade in the 1970's with sebastian Cabot in a made for TV movie, but still. This is a classic that will always stand on its own.

You will never be able to surpass the original, the bar is too high. You know the story...a man who looks like Santa is hired to play Jolly Ol' St. Nick at a department store and then gets into trouble when he insists he's the real deal.

Unfortunately, this movie has none of the warmth, charm, humor, or magick of the original. The actors all seem to be sleep walking, the little girl playing the Natalie Wood role is annoying, and the courtroom sequence and ending is devoid of the magic that made you wonder if there really is a Santa.

Skip this and stick with the original

A fine remake
Let me say two things.
1. I love old movies.
2. I mistrust remakes.
However, I loved this remake. It has become a regular part of our Christmas for the past 10 years. My wife loves it and I do as well. Get it now!!

Has It's Moments But Lacks the Warmth of the Original!
This remake has it's moments and has a very good cast, Richard Attenborough, Dylan McDermott, Elizabeth Perkins and Mara Wilson but it can't hold a candle to the original black and white version and lacks the warmth of that old classic. The actors were fine, it was the atmosphere of the movie that I found kind of cold and lacking of charm compared to the original version This is only my personal opinion.

Mawkish treacle--no replacing the original
For every movie remake that improves on, or at least stands apart from, its original (1986's The Fly and 1999's The Thomas Crown Affair leap to mind), there are a dozen remakes like this one that serve only to remind everyone how superior the original is. Even presenting the remake in color seems like a mistake--George Seaton's 1947 original, with its black-and-white, almost documentary-like presentation, gives a realistic foundation to its fantasy concept. The 1994 remake, on the other hand, is suffused with a burnished glow that gives the film the look of a Hallmark card, with about as much depth. And don't look to the new script for help. As re-imagined by writer/producer John Hughes, the update's only new wrinkles are an "evil" toy-store chain to rival the "good" one, protracted courtroom sequences, and a finale that has neither the visual nor logical wit of the mail-delivery denouement of the original. Only the remake's strong cast makes it even remotely watchable. Richard Attenborough is a fine Kris Kringle, Elizabeth Perkins shines as a single mom, and little Mara Wilson is very appealing in the role originally played by Natalie Wood. It's also fun to see veteran heavies James Remar and J.T. Walsh take their villainy down a few notches. The only real disappointment is Dylan McDermott, who can't match the original's John Payne for rakish charm. On the whole, the only real significance of this film--except to make the original seem all the better--is to help chart the decline of John Hughes' once-promising career. Hughes raised the bar on teen comedy (Sixteen Candles,The Breakfast Club) and directed one brilliant "grown-up" film (1987's Planes, Trains and Automobiles) before giving up to oversee the recycling of other material, including his own, into enterprises whose ambitions never seemed to rise above "make lots of money." (Subsequent Hughes remakes include Flubber and 101 Dalmatians, and more Home Alone sequels than Federal law should allow.) In the end, the 1994 Miracle on 34th street is serviceable background fodder while you wrap presents or trim the tree, but if you want a movie to WATCH, get the original. ... Read more

Reviews (35)

Every bit as good as the original in my opinion
I love that this remake didn't sell out very much, and put in too much modern stuff. It is very successful in keeping a "traditional" feel, with only a few exceptions. Mara Wilson is absolutely delightful and classic in her performance, and I really like Elizabeth Perkins' reproduction of the original role. And Dylan McDermott, whom I typically find very flat and dull, is sweet and charming as the sincere bachelor attorney with an eye for Perkins.

Richard Attenborough is amazing as Santa, at least as good as the formidable original. The scene in the original featuring Santa visiting with the Dutch war refugee girl is replaced in this remake with Santa visiting with a little deaf girl. The scene in the original is about as sweet as any scene in any movie ever, and the remake is even sweeter! The deaf girl's face, when Santa talks to her in sign language, is absolutely worth the price of this DVD.

The only real weakness for me was the John DeLancie and Jane Leeves part of the movie, as two "evil" agents for the "enemy" department store (where all the upper management wears all black). They reminded me of Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern from "Home Alone" -- sort of bumbling bad guys in a bad cartoon sort of way.

So all in all, I really think that this version is as good or better than the original, which is simply too dated in a few respects for me to be able to enjoy unconditionally. I think both of them are definitely worth owning.

A TERRIBLE AND UNNECESSARY REMAKE...
First things first...why even bother to remake such a great movie. Oh, I know, it was remade in the 1970's with sebastian Cabot in a made for TV movie, but still. This is a classic that will always stand on its own.

You will never be able to surpass the original, the bar is too high. You know the story...a man who looks like Santa is hired to play Jolly Ol' St. Nick at a department store and then gets into trouble when he insists he's the real deal.

Unfortunately, this movie has none of the warmth, charm, humor, or magick of the original. The actors all seem to be sleep walking, the little girl playing the Natalie Wood role is annoying, and the courtroom sequence and ending is devoid of the magic that made you wonder if there really is a Santa.

Skip this and stick with the original

A fine remake
Let me say two things.
1. I love old movies.
2. I mistrust remakes.
However, I loved this remake. It has become a regular part of our Christmas for the past 10 years. My wife loves it and I do as well. Get it now!!

Has It's Moments But Lacks the Warmth of the Original!
This remake has it's moments and has a very good cast, Richard Attenborough, Dylan McDermott, Elizabeth Perkins and Mara Wilson but it can't hold a candle to the original black and white version and lacks the warmth of that old classic. The actors were fine, it was the atmosphere of the movie that I found kind of cold and lacking of charm compared to the original version This is only my personal opinion.

Mawkish treacle--no replacing the original
For every movie remake that improves on, or at least stands apart from, its original (1986's The Fly and 1999's The Thomas Crown Affair leap to mind), there are a dozen remakes like this one that serve only to remind everyone how superior the original is. Even presenting the remake in color seems like a mistake--George Seaton's 1947 original, with its black-and-white, almost documentary-like presentation, gives a realistic foundation to its fantasy concept. The 1994 remake, on the other hand, is suffused with a burnished glow that gives the film the look of a Hallmark card, with about as much depth. And don't look to the new script for help. As re-imagined by writer/producer John Hughes, the update's only new wrinkles are an "evil" toy-store chain to rival the "good" one, protracted courtroom sequences, and a finale that has neither the visual nor logical wit of the mail-delivery denouement of the original. Only the remake's strong cast makes it even remotely watchable. Richard Attenborough is a fine Kris Kringle, Elizabeth Perkins shines as a single mom, and little Mara Wilson is very appealing in the role originally played by Natalie Wood. It's also fun to see veteran heavies James Remar and J.T. Walsh take their villainy down a few notches. The only real disappointment is Dylan McDermott, who can't match the original's John Payne for rakish charm. On the whole, the only real significance of this film--except to make the original seem all the better--is to help chart the decline of John Hughes' once-promising career. Hughes raised the bar on teen comedy (Sixteen Candles,The Breakfast Club) and directed one brilliant "grown-up" film (1987's Planes, Trains and Automobiles) before giving up to oversee the recycling of other material, including his own, into enterprises whose ambitions never seemed to rise above "make lots of money." (Subsequent Hughes remakes include Flubber and 101 Dalmatians, and more Home Alone sequels than Federal law should allow.) In the end, the 1994 Miracle on 34th street is serviceable background fodder while you wrap presents or trim the tree, but if you want a movie to WATCH, get the original. ... Read more