Skyscraper

Skyscraper is Die Hard with Anna Nicole Smith in the Bruce Willis role. In an effort to differentiate the two movies, they made her a helicopter pilot. Normally this would make the plot highly unbelievable (she takes on a gang of terrorists). But by the time the plot kicks in, you will already have given up on any hope that this is anything more than soft core porn.

The sad thing is, Anna Nicole's acting skills aren't even up to that level. Actually, they don't exist. She reads every line in exactly the same monotone, whether whining to her husband that she wants a baby or pleading with the terrorists not to shoot a hostage. On the plus side, there is lots of nudity that gives new meaning to the word 'gratuitous'. Early on Anna Nicole gets home from a hard day's work and relaxes with a slow-motion shower. She seems to really enjoy it, giving special attention to her big-as-your-head breasts. Actually, that's the high point of her performance. But I don't think even Meryl Streep could have done much with this material.

You've got your multi-ethnic team of what another reviewer called "Chippendales terrorists", each one a stereotype of some kind (my favourite was the French one, who would sprinkle his dialogue with exotic French words like "mes amis"). You've got your "brilliant" terrorist leader whose brilliance is supposed to be conveyed by his pretentious habit of meaninglessly quoting Shakespeare and by his lofty world-accent line delivery. I could go on about the brain-dead comic relief, the cheesy take-over-the-world plot, and dialogue that's beyond wooden - it's more like petrified wood - but I don't want to ruin the experience for you. That's right - I think you should see this film. I haven't laughed this hard since Showgirls.

I found it truly distressing to watch this film. Plot wise, it was basically a rip off of Die Hard (i.e. group of 'terrorists' take over hi-tec building and are foiled by an individual) and appeared to exist only as a vehicle for Anna Nicole Smith's breasts.

The European 'terrorist' contingent looked like a bunch of failed male models - musclebound freaks with girly hair. The dialogue appeared to be a rather poorly realised afterthought and Ms. Smith's acting was painful to watch. Her facial expressions and whining voice were several steps down from Roger Moore's school of 'eyebrow-response' acting. Even in the attempted rape scene there was no dramatic tension, leaving the viewer with an almost schizophrenic sense of detachment. All in all a complete waste of time. Nice jugs though.

In the bad department, this film doesn't measure up to the classics like "Plan 9 From Outer Space", but it tries very hard. Security Guard Dudley Wright is the best thing about this movie, but his Tim Kazarinski (Tim, if I spelled that wrong, I'm sorry) impression seals the deal.

If you really want to ogle Anna Nicole Smith's nude bod, better to dig up an old Playboy. She's really not shown that often. Three scenes only one totally nude.

On a scale of 1-10 for believability, I'd have to go into the negative numbers, but it does give plenty of laughs if you're willing to suspend any and all credibility.

I sincerely feel very bad for the actual GOOD actors in this (there ARE some), but I'm sure they didn't mind the extra job to fill in time between honest work.

Skyscraper is by no means a good film, it is truly a terrible action/thriller but let's be honest Anna Nicole Smith is what makes this movie entertaining as it is.

If you turn the number sideways, you'll see why I gave this movie an 8. Check the gratuitous shower scene about 10 minutes into the movie if you don't get me.

Friends, this movie is HOWLINGLY BAD. You'll laugh until tears flow from your eyes, not believing the sights and sounds assaulting your being from the screen. From Anna's non-existent acting, to the bad scenery-chewing performance of the actor playing the lead terrorist (just what country is he supposed to be from, Badaccentia?), this is prime Badfilm. There are a ton of explosions on offer, which are nicely photographed, but are so (I'll risk using the word again) gratuitous that the plot (most obvious Die Hard rip-off ever) can't be taken seriously for more than a nanosecond.

Everything about this film screams: "Don't take me seriously!"

On that level, the discriminating fan of bad action films will enjoy this heartily. Anyone familiar with the work of Andy Sidaris will be in familiar territory here.

I feel that this movie is best enjoyed under the influence of several adult beverages. I would suggest a double feature for a night of viewing, this film and David Heavener's KILL CRAZY(see my review of that film as well). Now that's some red-blooded American entertainment. Lots of stuff gets blowed up real good! Get the pony keg and the nachos, dude!