maniclimbo

This movie had a few moments of decency but overall, I'd say that it really wasn't worth the rental fee. I could swear the first half hour of this film was a Fed Ex training film. I'm not really sure this movie goes twenty minutes without the words "Fed Ex" being present somewhere. When he does become stranded, the movie does in fact pick up a bit. I did like the lack of much dialogue or soundtrack during these scenes, that was effective in relaying his feeling of isolation. The fact he does go a little nuts was also appreciated. When he finally gets home however....ugh. I don't think the melodrama was needed, nor well done at that. I also thought Tom Hanks' character took things a little too well, after all, this is a man who earlier risked his life almost drowning trying to save a volleyball. It's hard to believe he'd take the woman he loved marrying another so well. This could have been a lot better. I personally would have wanted something a little darker.

I was pleasantly surprised when I finally rented this film and question why this film wasn't a bigger hit at the box office. Great performances all around, especially Don Cheadle as the menacing "Snoop" Miller, and Steve Zahn as Glen Micheals as the stoner who's in way over his head. Having Micheal Keaton as Ray Nicolette in this film was a nice touch as well. Out of all the Elmore Leonard books I've read, I think this may be the best translation into film. In fact, I feel this movie surpasses the novel.

I thought this was an enjoyable movie and I get a kick out of the running jokes that Smith has throughout his movies (i.e. O'Halloran always portraying a character with the last name of 'Hicks', the girl dying in the swimming pool, which I forgot her name, etc). The funniest lines I felt belong to Jason Lee and as always, Jason Mewes. Definitely worth watching if you're at all a fan of "Clerks" (which it's safe to assume if you are, you've already seen this movie).