Mayberry Man

OK. Here is the correct review of this film, omitting the extremes on both sides (hopefully), and from a typical Mayberry lover.

Yes, the storyline is cheesy while the script and much of the acting is pretty lame. That's nearly expected when the producers likely wanted to make a cheap film using non-actors. So let's give that criticism a break. What should we expect? After all, who among us wouldn't want to be in a movie about Mayberry? As for the pros, the Brett and Ashley "prof acting" characters still made for a decent and likable downhome couple. That said about the acting, I still enjoyed the film.

I will give Mayberry Man a thumbs up of 7 for the following two reasons: Barney and Floyd. These guys were perfect. How people could not see that, I don't know. Just like the show itself, when Barney and Floyd were on camera, regardless of who else was on screen with them, they stole the spotlight. Now, I am a pretty tough critic, but as the movie progresses, I found these two amiable "tribute actors' got so good they made a not so good script and imperfect film worth watching. When these two were in the squad car alone, improvising as they went, they WERE Barney and Floyd for me. And, when that happens and you can suspend belief a bit, these two amazing recreations made this trip to Mayberry all worthwhile.

Hang with It all to the end and see what I mean.

If you aren't over 50 years old, don't watch the movie. Almost everything is dated and is primarily for the older folks who grew up on " The Andy Griffith Show". The premise is almost identical to " Doc Hollywood ": Narcissistic actor has to stay in ancient America due to misdeed of some sort and actually learns to become human.

Read " Grinch Gets a Heart ". But after the first really slow 10 minutes, a true Mayberry fan gets to enjoy the character reminiscing and the plot slightly picks up with some Trivia tidbits tossed out and that actually makes this movie interesting. You can't help but get a warm feeling if you remember small town America without all the electronic gizmos. People actually sat outside and talked to each other, can you believe? Life was indeed simpler, and the Mayberry characters were interesting in a silly, aw shucks way.

The premise is great. The execution, not so much.

I don't understand all the 10 star ratings and if you are looking for an honest review, you should start reading somewhere around the 5 star mark. I've watched the Andy Griffith Show reruns all my life. It is a wholesome family show and has a few life lessons thrown in as well. This was disappointing.

Some of the folks portraying the Mayberry characters weren't too bad but the rest of the acting was cheesy, subpar or just bad. The story wasn't very interesting as it lacked a solid plotline and there was no real reason to invest in any of the characters. It made it seem long and drawn out and the main character was annoying to watch.

Another disappointment was there was no one to impersonate Andy, Aunt Bee or Opie. However, the character impersonations we did see were The Mount Pilot Girls, Briscoe and Charlene Darling (hillbilly dad and his flirtatious daughter), Gomer and Goober Pyle (gas station attendant and his cousin), Floyd Lawson (the barber), Earnest T. Bass (town nut and troublemaker), Otis Campbell (town drunk) and Barney Fife. As I said, some of these were decent impersonations and this is why I'm giving it the 3.5 star rating.

Had they spent more time on the script, character development and plotline, this could have been a cute movie. I think Return to Mayberry, a made for television movie that brought some of the original characters to solve the mystery of a reported lake monster and see Opie become a first time father, was a far better film.

If you are a fan of the movies, do this. Get your popcorn, get your soda, get your junior mints, turn the lights down, and yes, turn up the surround sound or music bar on your system.

This is a solid story line, with good directing and good acting. And they must have done all this in during the pandemic of course.

The Tribute artist are awesome. Especially Floyd and Barney. Man, they each have the voice and the mannerisms of the charters they mimic.

Chris - Needed what the judge sentenced him to. More judges should do something similar to this in the future. I can think of another actor or two in Hollywood who just might benefit from a week at Mayberry Days.

Good job to the director, actors and crews. If you every paid attention to Floyd the Barber - Two Chairs No Waiting - you know that Allan Newsome has him down to a T. Very funny expressions. Zoom in!!

Now this is a movie fans can enjoy forever. It is timeless, and the message is timeless.

Moving it up near Waking Ned Devine as one of my favorite movies. Oh, you haven't seen Waking Ned Devine? Well you are in for another treat. Especially if you ever dreamed of winning the lottery.

Cheers all,

now, where is that popcorn. Let's watch this moving again.

The least you could have done is have it in the town Andy based it on, the same town the actual Mayberry fest is held. Mt, Airy, NC is a living tribute to the show. It's highly unfair you traded up the actual town for the Hendricks County Courthouse rather than have it in Mt. Airy itself located in actual North Carolina. Pilot Mountain, Raleigh all the real places from which the show was based. I know the DesiLu sets aren't intact but yet there will always be Mt. Airy, Andy's actual hometown. Real fans know the difference! Cheap imagery and change ups lead people to only follow the story because it refers to Mayberry. After 30 minutes in it appears to more of a cheap money grab imitation.