IMDb RATING
7.6/10
1.1K
YOUR RATING
Opus the Penguin struggles to achieve his seemingly impossible dream to be able to fly.Opus the Penguin struggles to achieve his seemingly impossible dream to be able to fly.Opus the Penguin struggles to achieve his seemingly impossible dream to be able to fly.
Michael Bell
- Opus
- (voice)
Joe Alaskey
- Truffles
- (voice)
- …
John Byner
- Bill the Cat
- (voice)
Tress MacNeille
- The Chicken
- (voice)
Andrew Hill Newman
- Santa
- (voice)
Robin Williams
- The Kiwi
- (voice)
- (as Sudy Nim)
Frank Welker
- Santa Claus
- (voice)
Dustin Hoffman
- Milquetoast the Cross-Dressing Cockroach
- (voice)
- (uncredited)
Featured review
I can totally see where the negative reviews come from, it IS a rather sanitized version of Bloom County/Outland. But that being said it's still a fun little Christmas special that's suitable for all (Ok, most) of the family.
The premise and plot are pretty formulaic with Opus desperately desiring "wings that work" and appealing to the one authority he knows that can possibly help him. Santa Clause. And most of the episode is pretty much his attempts to overcome/cope with his flightless status until Santa can get there.
The jokes are pretty good, even today, and Bill The Cat naturally steals the show.
I think what pisses people off about this is that it's missing the raunchiness that they were familiar with in the comics, instead favoring the family-friendly storyline.
Personally I still think it's worth a watch whether you're a fan of Berkeley's work or not.
The premise and plot are pretty formulaic with Opus desperately desiring "wings that work" and appealing to the one authority he knows that can possibly help him. Santa Clause. And most of the episode is pretty much his attempts to overcome/cope with his flightless status until Santa can get there.
The jokes are pretty good, even today, and Bill The Cat naturally steals the show.
I think what pisses people off about this is that it's missing the raunchiness that they were familiar with in the comics, instead favoring the family-friendly storyline.
Personally I still think it's worth a watch whether you're a fan of Berkeley's work or not.
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaBerkeley Breathed was exceptionally displeased with the quality of the final product. In an exchange published in The Washington Post he said to a person trying to find the VHS or DVD version, "Hopefully (you will find it) in the rubbish pail. We can do better than that, and we will with an eventual Opus film, but I'm glad you enjoyed it. I presume your family was on speed when they watched it. I would imagine it helps." In a later interview, Breathed explained that the production of the special was very difficult, and that he was constantly at odds with the director, who wanted to include more crude and vulgar jokes.
- GoofsThe cockpit window in the Lost Horizon dream doesn't match the cockpit window that is inside Opus' cockpit.
- Quotes
George the Kiwi: So what if they're small? Some women prefer small wings. What does Delores want, quantity or quality? She want's 'em big? MARRY THE SPACE SHUTTLE, YOU SHREW!
The Chicken: Space shuttle? Watch it!
- Crazy creditsAfter the credits, we see Truffles yelling up at Opus "Don't get cocky up there!" before Opus' prothstetic buttocks falls on him.
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- A Wish for Wings That Work: An Opus Christmas Story
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime23 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.33 : 1
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Top Gap
By what name was A Wish for Wings That Work (1991) officially released in Canada in French?
Answer