Scary - Horrortrip in den Wahnsinn

At times, I was wishing that Bruce Campbell played Bill Paxton's part. But I do like a good dose of the Paxton when I can get it, and I definitely got a different kind of role from him in this movie. Not the greatest thing in the world, but it definitely reminded me of something that would make a great short story or novella. Especially with the degrees of paranoia exhibited by Paxton's character. Also, it felt as if the writer didn't know where to take such a simple premise so it kind of goes all over the place for the second half. The movie starts in one area and ends in another. No real direction. But the back story was nice. For a film of this caliber, I wasn't expecting any reasoning.

It's also good to see Ironside and Bell in something together beyond Total Recall.

Up and coming Graham Krakowski is a white, middleclass, wannabe yuppie. He buys a fixer upper house near the city center and moves in. However an old tramp also uses the house and Krakowski has to install a fortune of security devices. The tramp continues to get into the house and terrorise Krakowski, even though no one seems to see anything. As people begin to turn up dead, he wonders if it's all in his head and the police suspect him. Is the tramp real and, if so, what is his interest in Krakowski?

I didn't have high hopes for this despite the headline stars – they weren't big names then (this was one of Paxton's first lead roles). I also was put off by it's description as a horror/comedy – executive produced by Mel Brooks of all people! It started blandly enough but managed to have a few moments that fulfilled it's definition. It doesn't have out and out jokes, but some moments are funny – the police reaction to news of urination is the funniest. It also has some exciting moments of tension, but both are rare and scattered.

The story doesn't quite know what it's doing and because of that it's a little weak. However it does well enough to be entertaining, but it feels lost and slightly cheap. Paxton is actually quite good in a changing role, but Ironside doesn't have much to do. Marshall Bell as the vagrant is good despite just jumping out and going boo every 5 minutes – he is scary and unsettlingly unpleasant.

Overall this is OK to watch but isn't great. The comedy adds a strange mood to it and the drama/horror works quite well. Shame it feels a little cheap.

You need a dark sense of humor and a certain misanthropic attitude to truly enjoy this movie. It's right up my alley, but I can see why it flopped at the box office. Not high brow/pretentious enough to be appreciated by the art-house crowd, and possibly too twisted and mature to appeal to young adults/teens.

I see similarities with Mike Judges work, who is also good at exposing the BS of the human race in a very entertaining way, and whose movies are also not for everyone. This was the last movie Chris Wales directed, presumably due to the lack of financial success, which I think is a huge shame.

This Bill Paxton vehicle has reached a very bizarre stage in it's pre-DVD days. And would you believe that? Almost 20 years later and the film still doesn't have a DVD release. Paxton, Ironside, a terrorizing vagrant...what the hell, man?

If you're like me (which you most certainly are not since you can't do 29 3/4 pull-ups) then you stumbled upon this film. Well, not exactly a stumble either...more like a carefully executed stunt that ended up with you face-planting in comical fashion all rag-doll like. What I mean is, search for this movie's poster. You're looking at it, right? Well, the question is, were you blown away? If you were, keep reading as me and you, we're pals. If you're confused at why I asked you to look at The Vagrant poster, then you...simply don't have what it takes. Take a look in the mirror and shake your head. Now, kick rocks!

The Vagrant is a Paxton-led film that has him acting like a total ninny nut through basically the entire duration of the film. But it's totally understandable; he has a disgusting monster of a hobo lurking around in and around his home. Paxton sees the vagrant in his dreams, in his house, and even banging his girl-friend. Paxton is slowly unraveling, people are dying, and even with the assistance of Ironside (who plays his character very well; his first scene he enters the room, picks his nose and flicks the booger) as a tough detective, the misfortune keeps adding up for poor old Paxton. Mystery, intrigue, extreme paranoia, a boob or two....it's all here.

What we have here with this flick is a genuine, unique piece of creative early 90's film-making. The story, the characters, the music (which added a great touch to the film), the whole entire film packs a totally worthwhile movie for fans that enjoy a mix of black comedy with OTT performances and ideas. Honestly, all you really need to do is look at the poster for this movie and you'll know if you want to see the movie. For me, after taking a glimpse of it, it was like eating, it was totally necessary. And having the film revolve around a maniacal hobo....just see this movie.

Funny, I've seen this movie again, and again. The listing here, doesnt even bother to mention it being a comedy. (I dont mean that in a bad or sarcastic sence!)

It's not a horror spoof. It's just funny horror! But, then in my opinion Bill Paxton has shown clear comic sign's sence, 'Weird Science', anyway! (See him also in 'True Lies'!) This movie gave him that same chance! It was different, unerving at time's. And just plain fun!

P.S. Oh, and when the credit's are rolling, it will be obvious that this is a movie that Mel Brooks produced!