Die Chaotenclique

The 4 erroneous assumptions made in the making of D.C. Cab:

• Casting out of comedy clubs garuantees that said comedians will be funny on-screen as they trample through even the blandest of scripted "comedy".

• Audiences won't mind that Mr T, despite being on the poster, video boxes and all other advertising related to film is actually a small cog in the comedy wheel.

• Devoting a large narrative strand to where-are-they-now?/who-were-they-then? regular Irene Cara will ensure timeless appeal to Irene Cara fans for years to come.

• Idealistic Adam Baldwin is not made of cardboard.

These failings aside, the movie offers a few ace Busey moments (You ever done drugs/I don't remember.).

In short, it's an ensemble comedy, in the same Hollywood line that gave the world Revenge of the Nerds, the Police Academy movies, and Summer School. This movie sits somewhere below these. The cast is a little overcrowded, with too much of the "plot" devoted the weakest parts of the ensemble.

Just out curiosity: How hard is it to write a movie around Mr T or Gary Busey? It seems that too often T is forever looped into heavy-with-a-heart-of-gold roles, while Busey just gets 2nd bananas, villains and maniacs.

An enjoyable film for 80s buffs and fans of the not-for-everybody 80s screwball comedy. Often juvenile, often exploitative, never meant to be taken seriously, an uneven performance from its lead (particularly an inconsistent accent) and occasional sloppy sentimentality drag the movie down. There are some great turns from bit players, including a young Charlie Barnett and an old Whitman Mayo. Max Gail is solid and Marsha Warfield is thin! The film features some classic lines in addition to allegedly funny lines that will make you cringe. Mostly, the movie is a harmless goof with a touch of idiotic 80s energy. 6.5 out of 10

DC Cab is a wildly hilarious and totally unpc comedy classic from the 80's. Adam Baldwin(best known as Animal Mother from Stanley Kubrick's Full Metal Jacket) he heads this ensemble cast that also includes Max Gail, Mr. T, Gary Busey, Bill Maher, The Barbarian Brothers and more. This comedy classic has great performances and totally off the wall, colorful characters. They certainly don't make them like this anymore. The pc police would certainly have a fit if something like this was released in today's market. There is plenty of pure insanity and laughter to be had here folks. While DC Cab is raw and unhinged, the characters have a lot of heart. DC Cab comes highly recommended and is one cinematic experience you won't forget.

Movie I will watch anytime it's on. The cast is a 70's and 80's who's who: Max Gail, Paul Rodriguez, Mr. T, Bill Maher, Whitman Mayo, Marsha Warfield, Gary Busey. Most are still alive, do a sequel!

When I first saw this as a kid I was sort of let down because Mr.T's name and image were all over the ads and what I got was an ensemble piece instead with Adam Baldwin as the lead. My reaction was "huh?".

Watching it again 20 years later and knowing not to get too worked up over Mr. T (c'mon, he had his own cereal for crying out loud) I felt completely different about this film. First of all, I had to put myself back in 1983. Many popular comedies of the day were mostly crude, sexist, racist, homophobic and would make a PC advocate shriek and hide under the bed. I bring this up because Joel Schumacher, an openly gay director, should've known better but since he co-wrote it with someone else I don't know which jokes were his so I'll give him the benefit of the doubt. Porky's, Doctor Detroit and Car Wash are just some examples of this kind of humor. Back to the movie: As a kid I had no idea who they were but today it's kind of cool seeing a young Paul Rodriguez, Patricia Duff (yes, THAT Duff...Ron Perelman's very rich ex), Gary Busey, Marsha Warfield, Irene Cara and Bill Maher when he wasn't gray. Because of the ensemle nature of the movie some shine more than others. I don't even know why Maher is in this movie as he has very little to do. You may laugh at Mr. T's sermonizing (in a very funny but great zoom-out scene involving the Lincoln Memorial no less)but it's refreshing to him delivering the same "make something of yourself" message today. It fits with the theme of the movie. Still, this isn't for little kids because of the naked women and the nature of the humor. A few words on the very underrated Adam Baldwin. He was only 21 in 1983 yet he's the glue that holds this motley crew together. I liked his roles early in his career but I haven't seen him much after "Full Metal Jacket" which is a shame because he holds his own in that too. Working with Kubrick couldn't have been easy. Sure there are problems with this movie, for example a romance between Baldwin and a waitress that doesn't really go anywhere and a thin kidnapping plot but nevertheless, "DC Cab" is an entertaining, feel-good time capsule. A refreshing escape from the mean-spirited, recycled or self contgratulatory comedies Hollywood wants us to pay $10.50 for today. If you think Joel Schumacher's movies are garbage today as I do, check your prejudices at the door. This is way better than Batman & Robin. With "DC Cab", you'll have yourself a new guilty pleasure.