L'Homme le plus fort du monde

Worst of the trilogy.

While 'The Strongest Man in the World' isn't anything atrocious, it most certainly fails to land on the same level as the two Robert Butler directed films. The plot, which is about strength this time, isn't as finely executed or as entertaining.

Kurt Russell (Dexter), the star of the last two productions, barely features in this one. I can see why they kept the focus on Higgins (Joe Flynn), as it worked well in 'Now You See Him, Now You Don't', but to switch eyes from Dexter to Schuyler (Michael McGreevey) is a strange choice. Cesar Romero (Arno) and Richard Bakalyan (Cookie) are also too forced into things.

There is still minor enjoyment in there, but everything's just a little duller than in the other sequel and 'The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes' original. A decent set of films, still.

This definitely was the end of an era at the Disney studios. This was the last of the so-called "college comedies" that began with the classic "The Absent Minded Professor", continued with the two "Merlin Jones" films ("The Misadventures of Merlin Jones" and "The Monkey's Uncle") and ended with the three "Dexter Riley" films ("The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes", "Now You See Him, Now you Don't" and this film). These films all followed the same formula but still were funny in their own way. However, by the time this film was done the formula had worn thin and this pretty much was the end of the line for this series of films. Kurt Russell was his usual funny self as the perpetually in trouble Dexter getting himself and his buddy Schyler in perpetual trouble. Ceasar Romero was also great as the kids' perpetual foil Arno.

However, it is also a somewhat surreal film due to the fact that Joe Flynn died after this motion picture finished filming. He definitely was great in his role as Dean Higgins and it was definitely an extension of his "Captain Binghamton" character and this capped off his legendary career as on of the all-time great curmudgeons.

Enjoyed viewing this very comical film dealing with a group of college students performing various tests in their school laboratory classes. Kurt Russell, (Dexter Riley) tries out a chemical he discovered by mistake and pours it on his cereal which he gives to a cow and eats some of it himself. The dean of the college is Higgins, (Joe Flynn) who is not very happy with this class spending all kinds of money on these experiments, but when he finds out it gives off a very special power of superhuman strength, Higgins decides to sell this formula to a cereal company. There are great veteran stars, Cesar Romero, (A J Arno), Phil Silvers, (Kringle) who gave great supporting roles along with Joe Flynn who had a short career dying at the age of 50 years of age. Great entertainment.

College dean Higgins (Joe Flynn) is in danger of losing his job for financial problems. He promises to raise more money in 30 days while using science Prof Quigley as a scapegoat. Student Richard Schuyler is trying out different cereals for a cow. Higgins is horrified at all the money used to feed a cow and fires Quigley. Dexter Riley (Kurt Russell)'s experiment gets mixed with the cereal leading to powerful growth. Dexter tries the cereal himself giving him temporary super-strength. Higgins seizes on the opportunity and sells the formula to the cereal company run by Harriet Crumply. Harriet challenges cereal rival Kirwood Krinkle (Phil Silvers) to a competition. Krinkle calls on his mole V.P. Harry Crumply who is jealous of Harriet. Harry hires A.J. Arno who is just out of prison.

This is a functional Dexter Riley movie although I like "Now You See Him, Now You Don't" the most in the series. I don't think lifting things is the most exciting cinematic move. I actually think super speed is a superior power visually. It has more comedic potential and it would fit the car perfectly. This type of live-action Disney family comedies is fading in popularity at the time. Also this movie needs more Kurt Russell. There are sections where he is absent and he should not be. Richard Schuyler is in this more than Dexter Riley. Kurt Russell may be trying to slip away from his Disney roots at this time.

This is the final installment in the Medfield High comedy/fantasy trilogy, and is as good as the other two. Yet again Dexter Reilly stumbles upon an incredible scientific discovery which brings him and his friends into another wacky adventure.

Fortunately, the same great cast is involved again including Kurt Russell, Cesar Romero and the brilliant Joe Flynn. Plenty of laughs this time round ensure you're enjoy this movie every time you see it.