The Double-D Avenger

Well, I suppose the good news concerning William Winckler's 2001 opus, "The Double-D Avenger," is that it manages to unite three of Russ Meyer's mammarian marvels--Kitten Natividad, Haji and Raven de la Croix--in one picture. (I can only assume that Lorna Maitland, Tura Satana and Babette Bardot were busy the week they shot this thing...or else managed to see a copy of the script in advance!) The bad news, though (and there's plenty of it), is that this film--if it can even be called that, having been shot straight to video--is a complete misfire, a total abortion, an out-and-out atrocity, an absolute abomination, and truly one of the worst pictures that I have ever seen. Look no further for the lamest superhero movie ever made! The plot here, such as it is, deals with Kitten gaining superpowers after fellating the rare cockazilla plant in South America to cure her breast cancer (oy), and later battling a trio of megalunged bikini dancers back in L.A. Too bad that every lame boob joke trotted out falls completely (you should pardon the expression) flat, that there is ZERO actual nudity in the film at all (other than some old photos of Kitten in her heyday), and that some shaving cream and a papier-mache boulder are the sum total of the special FX. The Meyer gals here are a bit long in the tooth/saggy in the chest, to put it kindly, although Sheri Dawn Thomas, as bikini girl Ooga Boobies (!), does manage to, uh, stand out nicely. So why have I given this juvenile, unfunny, failed embarrassment of a movie 2 stars instead of 1? To be succinct: Joe Bob Briggs. His voice-over commentary in the special features of the DVD I just watched is absolutely hilarious, especially when he pulls out around 100 synonyms for the word "breast" from the 1,000+ on his Web site's "Canonical Hooters List." The man is a national treasure, and he manages to upgrade this skeet of a disc to coaster status!

Old Russ Meyer staples Kitten Natavidad, Haji and Raven De La Croix star in this tale of a huge meloned granny who gains super-powers while looking for a cure for her breast cancer. And of course a cameo by Forrest J. Ackerman. Confession time, I bought this only on the merits of Joe Bob Briggs doing the commentary. And let me tell you that it's possibly the best, most informative, funniest Joe Bob commentary I have ever heard (He's done 7 thus far: "I Spit on your Grave", "Jesse James meet Frakenstein's Daughter", "Blood Shack", "Samurai Cop", "Hollywood Strangler meets the Skidrow Slasher", "Hell High", and this movie, with at least 2 more on the way "Hell's Angels '69" and "Warlock Moon"). Oh yeah, back to the movie..well let's leave it at the fact that alcohol is not just suggested to enjoy this film, it's required. You've NEVER heard such horrid puns in your life. I'll end this review on some pleading. Miss Sheri Dawn Thomas please PLEASE star in another movie soon PLEASE. Ok pleading over, umm..see ya.

PS: the German Cicken dance killed me for some reason

DVD Extras: Joe Bob Briggs commentary!!!; Making of; Theatrical Trailer and cable spot;and Photo gallery

Hard to describe this one -- if you were a fan of Russ Meyer films back in the day, you will surely be pleased to see that Haji is still looking really hot, though Forry Ackerman has not fared so well (what is he doing still making these movies anyway? If I go up to him with a camera will he be in my movie?). It was a pretty fun premise -- a superhero whose giant mammaries are her secret weapon -- but sometimes it did not pan out for the whole length, and the jokes were on a level with your average Joe E. Brown comedy (or, Abbott and Costello if that's your thing) -- basically just bad puns. Still, I found this movie fascinating to watch, and for more than 2 reasons. Good job, but still a fundamentally flimsy production.

Dennis Harvey, respected film critic for VARIETY, the top Hollywood trade publication, gave The Double-D Avenger a very positive film review in 2001, and I fully agree with his opinion. He stated in his written review for Variety that the movie was a "cheerfully silly ode to larger than life femininity." Essentially the movie is the one and only reunion film of Russ Meyer's famous stars, and it's a silly, fun little farce! A total low-budget spoof. It is not a pornographic film, it is a Benny Hill type z-grade comedy.

The film's been a huge financial success for the producer William Winckler, and it's sold all over the world . . .there is a French language version, a Japanese language version, etc. . Many fans see it as the unofficial "last Russ Meyer film." If you want to watch a happy, goofy, fun B-movie, this is it! If you're looking for porn, or soft core, or are expecting a $ 200 million dollar Hollywood epic, look elsewhere.

Dreary. Schlocky. Just plain dreadful and awful. Let's be honest, when you sit down to watch something called The Double-D Avenger you aren't expecting great art or even mild mainstream entertainment. You are probably expecting a cult film type and maybe get some good looks at some impressive busts. You don't get really either of these in the video. The story, as it consistent with most of these types, is inane: Kitten Natividad runs a local pub, finds out she has breast cancer, flies down to South America for a fruit that claims to be a panacea for any ills and a super-human abilities giver, returns and fights, dressed as the Double-D Avenger, a group from a local strip club wanting to edge out the competition. As stories go, I have seen a lot worse, but as another reviewer noted the execution is horrendous. The action sequences lack zip, drive, motivation, and are tissue thin. The acting isn't even properly campy and the dialog is the pits. Nothing, and I mean NOTHING is funny from the wincing puns to the heavy-handed boob references. All could be forgiven if the girls could make up for it, but they all fall way short. Kitten, Haji, and Raven de la Croix are all quite older(still lovely in their own ways) yet expose nothing and become the antithesis of what they are trying to be: older, campy caricatures of their former selves. Instead, they look so lame and desperate - more because of the vehicle they are "starring" in rather than their own abilities. There are some other lovely ladies, but you really do not see much of anything. PG -13 definitely could be an appropriate rating for this. The material, the actresses, and director are all tired, tiresome, and dated - and again - NOT FUNNY! It was a brutal hour plus sitting through this, and that is a shame as I was expecting something campy and fun. The guy playing Bubba by the way was the only real laugh for me. Not that he was good at all mind you, but every time he opened his mouth I kept thinking how truly awful he was. The lone bright spot here at all is seeing Mr. Sci-fi himself, Forrest J. Ackerman, play the curator of a wax museum and chatting to his wax Frankenstein affectionately called Frankie. Other than that this is a complete bust - now how is that for another tired, dreadful, trite pun!