Disorderlies

This is one of those stupid movies with great soundtracks. The plot is weak... the characterisation is all but non-existent (this is what happens when one tries to teach rappers to act).

The soundtrack is about the only thing that makes this film worthwhile; check out the great Bananarama number "I Heard a Rumour". The Fat Boys are fine when they are in their element -- rapping. They contribute two passable numbers -- "Baby, You're a Rich Man" and "Wipeout".

Thank goodness Anne Dudley has moved on to better things ... like winning an Oscar for scoring "The Full Monty".

Ultimately upbeat entertainment stars rap group The Fat Boys - Mark Morales, Darren Robinson, and Damon Wimbley - as a trio of freewheeling, goofy orderlies fired from their jobs. However, they're soon hired for a new gig by scheming Winslow Lowry (Anthony Geary of 'General Hospital' fame), precisely because he hopes that their incompetence will lead to the death of Winslows' uncle, Albert Dennison (Ralph Bellamy). You see, Winslow is a gambling addict who owes a staggering debt to a criminal named Luis Montana (Marco Rodriguez), and he will supposedly inherit his millionaire uncles' estate. Predictably, the corpulent comedians get their act together when it really counts.

Inconsequential, but rather harmless, farcical comedy is directed by Michael Schultz, whose eclectic career includes such features as "Cooley High", "Car Wash", and "The Last Dragon". It's never exactly inspired, but it delivers just enough laughs to keep it watchable. It doesn't have THAT much of a story - after all, it does stop cold for a couple of minutes while the boys shoot an impromptu music video. The soundtrack includes some pretty catchy numbers.

Morales, Robinson, and Wimbley are likable enough and mildly amusing; they do have an infectious amount of energy. Geary is the sort of rotten & conniving - yet also pathetic - antagonist whom the audience will enjoy booing, while Rodriguez is just pure thug. Notable character actor Tony Plana rounds out the trio of baddies as the bumbling valet. Gorgeous Troy Byer is an appealing romantic interest for Morales. Viewers will have fun with the assorted cameo appearances: Helen Reddy, Linda Hopkins, Ray Parker Jr., Rick Nielsen of Cheap Trick, etc. But the main reason to watch "Disorderlies" is to see Hollywood legend Ralph Bellamy in such a goofball picture. He does look like he's having some fun. He even gets to utter lines such as "Step off, homeboy!" and "You be illin'."

Dumb, but agreeable, this comedy only goes on for a fairly painless 86 minutes.

Six out of 10.

I've always been a fan of "Disorderlies". This movie is filled with goodwill. The Fat Boys (Darren Robinson, Damon Wimbley and Mark Morales) are three very likeable guys. Those guys have charm to spare. Their supporting cast seems to be having a good time working with them. "Disorderlies" has a lot of laughs. Sure, it has its fair share of dumb jokes but it doesn't matter. The Fat Boys are impossible to resist. The movie does run out of steam a little during the action finale but it doesn't matter because Troy Byer is really cute. "Disorderlies" is goofy fun. (I watched this movie on Roku.) (IMDB has a 600 character minimum.)

I just watched this movie last week, and it was one the greatest movies I've ever seen. I almost died laughing. The Fat Boys are not only funny but they are great actors too. They should all have won Oscars for their performances in this movie. Anthony Geary should have definitely took home the best Supporting Actor trophy. He did not even get nominated??? He gives a performance of a lifetime. This is Ralph Bellamy's second role as a millionaire in an 80's film. He earlier appeared in the much inferior "Trading Places". That film doesn't even hold a candle to this one.

The Fat Boys play orderlies who are put in charge of an elderly millionaire (Bellamy). His nephew (Geary) hires them in the hope that their incompetence kills his uncle and he can inherit the money. What an original storyline!! In an era of remakes and recycled plots, it is so refreshing to see something original.

Not the #1 greatest movie I've ever seen, but certainly one of the best. It captures the true essence of rap music, with a mastery of cinematography, bringing us an American family classic. This one should truly with stand the tests of time. I'll have to admit when first faced with the decision to watch this movie I hesitated, but I then read the plot on back--finally a story line nobody's had the guts to attempt. Three orderlies ,(or disorderlies in this very hilarious case), are hired to take care of a cranky old rich man. I won't ruin all the twists and surprises.

I always thought of the Fat Boys as sub-par rappers, and probably terrible actors. Wrong about both. These guys are brilliant. They're the real pioneers of rappers acting,(Thank God for that).You're sure to watch this ground breaker dozens of times. You'll find yourself quoting some of the off the wall catch phrases, and you won't be able to quit singing their amazing version of the Beatles, "Baby Your a Rich Man."