Le Retour de Jekyll et Hyde

In the tradition of those outrageously silly comedy spoofs; "Jekyll and Hyde… Together Again" seemed to fall amongst the cracks which are rather disappointing because this item has its fair share of laughs and sexual innuendo. Like most of its ilk, it can be hit or miss with its surgically placed gags but it's a lot of wacky fun to watch because of Mark Blankfield's comic performance as the straight-laced Jekyll and maniacally tripped-out Hyde. Especially the risible transformation scenes and his off-the-rocker interactions. Still he has great support in the shape of Tim Thomerson, Michael McGuire, Bess Armstrong, Krista Errickson and bit part for Cassandra Peterson aka Elvira as a busty nurse. Judging by its title, it's easy to guess how the premise will play out. Yep this is a bastardised version of Robert Louis Steven's story "The Strange Case of Doctor Jekyll and Mr Hyde", which sees the medical practice and hipster scene coming together where Dr. Jekyll struggles to harness this animal instinct in to descent thanks to the temptation of a certain white magic powder. This time it's mostly set in America, but heads to the story's basis country of origin England in the latter half. There it plays around with its source material and gives a wink to the original author. What the script snorts up is purely madcap, where one minute it would be dry then suddenly quite low-brow and then plain goofy. The dialogs are just madness. A pleasurably comical low-budget b-grade cult comedy spoof.

"Only if the animal in man could be released."

Doing an exaggeration of his druggist character on TVs' 'Fridays' series, comic actor Mark Blankfield does a very funny job at portraying these two classic characters. Dr. Daniel Jekyll is a surgeon who wants to get out of that line of work and do pure research. He's engaged to the materialistic daughter (Bess Armstrong) of his boss (Michael McGuire). But one of his experiments goes seriously awry, and he's transformed into the garish, swaggering Mr. Hyde, a sex fiend who would rather be a total 80s party animal than terrorize the public. Naturally, Daniel is stressed out when these transformations become fairly frequent.

It's certainly true that this raunchy, ridiculous spoof often traffics in cheap 'n' easy drug and sex jokes for the sake of laughs. But unless you prefer your comedies to be much more subtle and highbrow, this *does* show people a pretty good time. Granted, it can be hit or miss with its gags. It starts strong, and its first and final thirds are the best. It marked the theatrical directing debut for veteran comedy writer Jerry Belson (one of the four credited screenwriters here), who gives this great pace & energy. And even if it is overly silly and childish at times, this viewer really didn't mind all that much. At the very least, this is not bland or boring.

Blankfield is a hoot, especially when he's playing Hyde (not that that comes as a shock). He's well supported by a rich variety of familiar faces. Armstrong and the pretty, feisty Krista Errickson are fine eye candy as the two women in Jekyll & Hydes' lives. At first, the movie would seem to be an egregious waste of the great Tim Thomerson, but he does contribute some good, funny moments of his own in the movies' second half. A bunch of familiar performers have supporting roles and bits: Cassandra "Elvira" Peterson (the nurse whose breasts threaten to burst out of her costume), Peter Brocco, Liz Sheridan, George Wendt, Michael Ensign, John Dennis Johnston, Tony Cox, Art LaFleur, and Lin Shaye. George Chakiris appears briefly as himself.

In the end, it's hard (at least for this viewer) not to have SOME respect for a movie that ADMITS that it's an abomination of the concept created many years ago by Robert Louis Stevenson. The final gag is proof of this. And that theme song is so damn catchy.

Seven out of 10.

This is sweet. The actress who played the nurse with the gonzongas is the same actress who plays Elvira mistress of the dark. Another little tidbit is the actress who played the nurse who would give her wedding ring was the landlord lady of Roy Munsin in King Pin. This is most glorious story ever to be told. It should sell more copies than the bible. My parents played a part in suggesting the release of this movie to a local movie theater. The movie ran for a week and we were one of 4 families to see it. The lady who gave the go ahead (friend of the family) was let go by the theater. I was 3 years old. I have burned through 4 copies on VHS and finally had it converted to DVD. It's beautiful.

This movie is blessed with an unusually high degree if silliness. I giggled like a schoolgirl from beginning to end and was overjoyed to have found it to be available again on VHS. No disrespect to the others who have posted their comments on this page, but they seem to be a little uptight, perhaps so much so that the whole idea of comedy escapes them. I can envision such a pouter foolishly scowling for two solid hours while he critiques this flick. Shame. This movie is for people who like to have fun. Lighten up.

alot of people will not enjoy this movie, but it is not due to a lack of humor. it is filled with drug/sex jokes and references which would turn off lots of conservative minded viewers but if theses things dont bother you, this movie is hilarious. it is reminiscent of airplane (anything zucker) but also has elements of python-style surrealisim. the transformation scene, complete with erection and jewelry is classic and his colleague's (thomerson's) gradual breakdown/outing are priceless. blankfield's hyde is classic and should have had him working for years. in summary, how can you not like a villan who, when confronted with a woman screaming "RAPE!" responds "later, if there's time"