O Esmagador

Action-comedy from Albert Pyun that was a starring vehicle for then-relevant comedian Andrew Dice Clay. The real star of the movie, though, is a young and beautiful Teri Hatcher. She's very funny and immensely likable. Clay is surprisingly enjoyable, as well. The plot is some nonsense about a red lotus flower and some "not ninjas" led by Chozen from Karate Kid 2. Some other recognizable faces are Tim Thomerson and Brion James as moronic cops. Liz Sheridan (Mrs. Ochmonek from ALF) plays Clay's mom. Despite the low-budget trappings and an irritating rock music score, it's actually a fun movie with some nice humor and a good cast. If nothing else, see it for Teri.

A straight to video surprise, Brain Smasher is everything a good low budget b-movie should be. Andrew Dice Clay and Teri Hatcher star in this weird, yet funny and enjoyable action packed love story that makes you shake your head and smile. Not your typical love story, Brain Smasher is a simple story of boy meets girl, boy saves girl, and boy wins girl in the end. Andrew Dice Clay plays, more or less, himself in this movie. Although he is not the typical Dice that we have seen on stage, he gives a good performance to prove once again to the critics that he is an actor and not just a comedian. Hatcher adds her sexy charm and wit to the movie as the story's damsel. Together, they are an interesting match. For fans of both actors, Brain Smasher is one of those movies you rent when all else fails.

Brain Smasher...A Love Story (1993) was a second starring vehicle for stand-up comedian Andrew "Dice" Clay. The movie was his second in a three year period. After the luster of his mainstream success died down, the Dice Man went back to the clubs to take care of business. The taste for the silver screen (courtesy of D.T.V.) was calling and starred in this action/comedy film along with Teri Hatcher.

Andrew "Dice" Clay stars as a bruiser who bumps into an attractive lady (Teri Hatcher when she still was hot) and helps her out from being attacked by a gang of Asian thugs. She has a secret that's she's keeping from the Dice Man. Can the Dice Man keep Teri safe from the Asian gang? Will she fall for that big ape? Did anybody watch this movie? If you can find a copy then by all means watch it!

A fun movie that's a lot better than Clay's first starring vehicle (Adeventures of Ford Fairlane). Surprisingly he's a good actor and he carries this film. Ms. Hatcher's not that bad to look at either. A good watch despite the P.G.-13 rating.

Recommended for fans of the Dice Man.

Naive female lead, hard-boiled male lead, escape from bad guys, romantic element: This is an action-comedy, and fine such as it is - just, perhaps not particularly noteworthy. Quips and one-liners, occasionally witty dialogue, physical comedy and situational humor, fight scenes, stunts - all the classic elements are here, including tired dashes of sexism, racism, or juvenile humor. Composer Tony Riparetti, frequent collaborator of filmmaker Albert Pyun, contributes a score that comes straight from the late 80s, and the select songs rounding out the soundtrack echo that feel. The work of crew behind the scenes is swell - costume design, hair and makeup, lighting, set design, and so on. Honestly, 'Brain Smasher... a love story' isn't bad. I did enjoy watching it. Only, there's no specific reason to do so in the first place.

Pyun rather has a reputation for low-budget, low-grade fare, and this fits neatly into that mold. In the very least he's competent as both a director and a screenwriter, and some of his features are better than others. 'Brain Smasher' is somewhere in the unremarkable middle: there's definite intelligence in some aspects, and it's suitably well made in the technical craft and rounding details. Yet for every minor spark of entertainment, a lot of the dialogue and scene work are schlocky, stilted, and unconvincing both on paper and in realization. The narrative is serviceable, but surely also common and forgettable. With these fundamental components generally doing their parts but failing to inspire, the cast can only do their best with what they're given. The acting here is distinctly limited by the picture's construction, but not awful. If nothing else, watching Teri Hatcher flip between "deer in the headlights" and "attempted tough attitude" is a small joy.

Even as the climax is the strongest part of the film (minus the over the top conclusion thereof), this probably remains a title that's more of a curiosity than a must-see. Save perhaps for the cast there's nothing about 'Brain Smasher' that lets it stand out in a crowd, and unless you're an especial fan of someone involved, you're just as well off watching any of its brethren. Still, you could do a lot worse. Far from essential, if you're looking for something to watch and aren't terribly discerning, 'A love story' is a mildly satisfying way to pass the time.

This is the campiest movie you will ever see. It is so bad that it is hysterical. Teri Hatcher tries to play it straight and Andrew Dice Clay is just Andrew Dice Clay. See it. The laughs will make you glad you did.