Think Big

A most ironically titled film, "Think Big" is a relatively brainless movie. The whole movie revolves around two appropriately airheaded, truck driving twin brothers who have to save a teen genius and the world's ultimate weapon from the clutches of the bad guys. The weapon? A device that looks like an otherwise ordinary remote control, but can control virtually every electronic device.

Of course, the "humor" comes in when the lamebrained gymrat twins bumble around trying to defeat the baddies. As expected in any b-movie, the humor is substandard and often crude. The Paul brothers play the role of the bungling duo pretty well. The movie also boasts a fairly decent supporting cast, with Martin Mull from Sabrina: The Teenage Witch, Richard Moll from Nightcourt as the brothers' boss and of course, Claudia Christian.

In short, "Think Big" isn't a bad movie for what it is and what it tries to be. Taken lightly, this low budget picture's sophmorish humor and sexual innuendo can be entertaining for a day's rental. Just try to think as little as possible while watching it, and the b-movie lover deep inside you will enjoy it.

First of all, I'd like to say that it's a shame this movie isn't out on DVD yet, because I'd very much like to see some bonus-material on this one, especially with all the talent that's been crammed into it.

The plot is about two moronic muscle-brothers (Peter and David Paul), who work for an angry boss (flamboyantly played by the always mad and funny Richard Moll), and they drive toxic waste across the USA in their 18-wheeler. During their trip they hook up with a young woman, Holly (played by the beautiful Ari Meyers) who has invented a groundbreaking new device, which can control every mechanical item and turn it upside down (make red lights turn green, open locked security-doors, make a coke-machine spew out free soda and money, etc.) - of course she is followed by a bad man (played by the recognizable comedian Martin Mull), who wants to use her invention for evil purposes.

Holly's friend Irene Marsh (Claudia Christian from "Babylon 5") also joins them, and falls in love with one of the brothers. The two brothers are followed by an eager repoman called Sweeney, playing very comically with lots of laughs by the otherwise more serious and frowning David Carradine in one of his most lighthearted roles.

Also among the talented supporting cast are: Tommy "Tiny" Lister Jr., everybody knows this guy (at least as the President from "Fifth Element"), and here he plays one of the brothers trucking-partners, who has a "Z" shaved in his hair. Rafer Johnson, famous athlete in his final movie-performance as "Johnson", also plays one of the brothers co-workers who won't drive toxic waste. Al Septien, the writer of "Leprechaun 2" and "Candyman 3" plays a security guard. David Bowe, who played "Bob" in Al Yankovich's "UHF" is also a security guard here.. Jean-Claude Van Damme's wife Darcy LaPier is also in this movie, playing a hot waitress who almost rapes one of the brothers. Famous German talk show host Thomas Gottschalk also plays one of the bad guy's henchmen, and constantly gets beaten up by the brothers who mess with his ponytail. FURTHERMORE (Yes, there are more stars in this movie), Michael Winslow (the funny black guy from the "Police Academy"-movies) is also one of the brothers' trucking friends, and he also does a few funny voices/accents here, although his part is so small and insignificant that he doesn't really get a chance to shine. And don't forget about the huge muscle-man Tony Longo, who's also in here somewhere..

Well, back to the plot: The brothers drive across the USA with toxic waste and at the same time tries to save Holly from Dr. Bruekner. All the other characters in this movie are just there to make the running-time reach a reasonable length for a feature-film. The dialogue is sometimes slightly funny, but mostly just dumb and dull. The highlights of the film is undoubtedly every scene with Richard "Jaws" Kiel, who steals the whole movie. If he played the lead in a movie, it would be the best movie EVER.. just look at "Eegah!"

Conclusion: The plot is lame, the two stars are hideous and terrible actors, the comedy is mediocre at best, and there's no logic connected with anything that happens here either. BUT.. this is Jon Turtletaub's debut as a writer/director, so it has some value just for that fact alone.. and Jim Wynorski helped him make it too! And all these fabulous actors crammed together in one movie is also a very good selling point, so I definitely think it is worth watching, especially if you're under 15 I suppose..

-So let's get this movie on DVD soon!

Think Big is a 1990 action comedy that centers around two truckers who get caught up in a mess after a teenage genius stows away in their truck.

Directed by Jon Turteltaub and starring the Barbarian Brothers Peter and David Paul, Think Big isn't exactly the cream of the crop when it comes to '90s action films or comedies, but I'll always love this movie for its big heart and all around fun story and characters.

The brothers star as Rafe and Victor, two dim witted brothers with a heart of gold that have nothing but each other and their truck. But in order to keep their truck they have to make a special delivery on time when things get complicated by a teenage stow away with bad guys on her tail.

The story is simple and gets straight to the point, filling its 90 minute run time with nothing but goofy jokes, fun action scenes and a couple of characters that are hard not to love. It probably won't please everybody, but I love this movie, and if you haven't seen it before, I would recommend it.

This movie is so bad it's....BAD! Not to say that I didn't enjoy it. Just looking at the Pauls' skimpy outfits with their steroid pumped torsos was quite a memorable experience. Their acting skills make one governor Schwarzenegger look like an Oscar winner. Occasionally you can see a look of disbelief on the faces of the now successful actors while in a frame with "dumb and dumber". I couldn't help but think how great an episode of Mystery Science Theater 3000 this would have made. With all that aside, it was a nice reminder that we all have the potential to be a muscle-bound, under- clothed, docile trucker WITH a twin to boot. My only question now is...was the movie title a reference to their bodies...or their hair?

My review was written in March 1990 after a screening on Manhattan's Westside.

This undemanding physical comedy is obviously aimed at the video fan, but offers okay gags for theatrical audiences waxing nostalgic for the generally unlamented '70s vehicular comedies involving trucks and cars.

The Barbarian Brothers, actually twins Peter Paul and David Paul, topline as a pair of affable but somewhat dim truckers hauling a load of toxic waste across country. Brainy but beautiful 16-year-old Ari Meyers stows away in their vehicle, as she's on the lam with her secret weapon developed at Martin Mull's think tank for kids.

There's plenty of effective slapstick as cartoonish villains chase after the tri, who are joined later by Meyers' school psychologist, the fast maturing starlet Claudia Christian. David Carradine, in particular, is fun (costumed to resemble his brother Keith) as a nutty repo man.

Meyers, who plays Susan Saint James' daughter on tv's "Kate & Allie" series, is delightful as the precocious heroine and manages to maintain a straight face opposite the cuddly but oversize nonactor Paul brothers. Except for a sex scene with a voluptuous waitress at a diner. The twins remain squeaky clean comic heroes for kids.

Cast's cameo include Richard Kiel gently spoofing his familiar screen heavey image and Olympic great Rafer Johnson cast opposite wrestling star Tiny Lister (aka "Zeus") as fellow truckers.

Only thing getting in the way of the decent gags and one-liners is an unfortunate emphasis on plugola for Coca-Cola product.