Ernest frappe encore

I was one of the few people who watched this move in the theaters, and to say the least, I was disappointed. Granted, the series went back to a more believable story and a more subtle production design after the faults of Ernest Goes to Jail and Ernest Scared Stupid. But then again, this should have been a clear indication this series should have ended. But lo and behold, Hollywood had to further defile Jim Varney in this haphazard effort. And of note, where the heck was Bobby in this film!

"Ernest Rides Again" is yet another great installment of the "Ernest" movie franchise. With this film, the plot is much more solid, and more serious than the plots of past "Ernest" films, but that doesn't mean it's not a funny movie. The movie is funny, and enjoyable. Jim Varney once again does a great job as lovable knuckle head Ernest P. Worrell, and Ernest's sidekick Abner is OK. The movie overall is excellent, so if you're a die-hard "Ernest" fan, and haven't seen this installment yet, then check this out, and be impressed.

The final Ernest movie released in theaters is all about the cannon ride. Like the previous movies, it's an excuse for Jim Varney (who was also known as the voice of Slink in "Toy Story") to be silly in the role of the gold-hearted dimwit. I was never really a fan of the Ernest movies, but they were always good for a laugh. The cannon ride in "Ernest Rides Again" is entertaining enough. The rest of the movie doesn't quite equal it, though. Ever since Varney died, I've wondered if he felt content only being known as the lovable, buffoonish hick. Sure, it left him with a cult following, but wouldn't he have wanted something more than that? Anyway, this movie is nice, cheap entertainment.

This film really exposes William Akers as the cinematic genius that he is. While on the surface the story of goofy Ernest may see superficial and desultory, Akers manages to delicately weave a thought provoking and life-changing story that tugs at your heart while keeping you at the edge of your seat.

I have seen the film many times and each time I am reminded what an amazingly durable and lasting work it is. It endures because of the underlying meaning - a man is faced with the choice of being a responsible person or simply following his emotional whims.

There is an Ernest in all of us.

10 out of 10!!

This was probably one of the better "Ernest" movies in that it moves fast which means it's pretty entertaining without being too stupid, as some of Jim Varney movies were. However, even this you can except a lot of "stupid" but some of that is part of Varney's charm as the lovable "Ernest P. Worrell," a man he made famous first with TV commercials and then with a handful of inane-but- Innocent comedies.

This 100-minute film would have much better chopped to 80 or 85 because there are some legitimate laugh-out-loud scenes. Varney does a lot of impressions, some of which are very good. The two nerdy salesmen in here are also funny. As with all the "Ernest" films, there is nothing really offensive in here. Today, this could almost be rated "G."