Escanaba in da Moonlight

I saw Escanaba in The Moonlight when it first came out. MY wife and kids and myself laughed until we had tears in our eyes. We thought it was funny. Especially the fart jokes. Sorry ladies, but I am a hunter and have been in more than a few deer camps to know what actually goes on. They play cards, fart, drink, tell jokes, read Playboy Magazines in the john and tell all kinds of stories. Most of the ladies would think this is gross obnoxious behavior. Then again, us guys aren't like they are in those stupid "I'm a Victim too" chick flicks, which us guys find obnoxious and odious because of how men are portrayed in them. As a comedy about hunting, the performances and some of the things in the story are exaggerated. But, isn't most humor? Jimmer steals the show with his talking, drinking and of course major flatulence. Harve Presnell is very good as well. THis is a must for all fans of comedies and hunting. I can relate to Jeff Daniels' character in a way, because the only deer that I managed to bag other than a spike horn some years ago were does, until a couple of years ago. I hadn't even seen a buck out in the woods until then. While, I loved the movie, that isn't to say that it couldn't have been better. I wish, they would have used the Da Yoopers music in the sound track, not played up the ufo and mystical aspect so much and maybe had more hunting related humor and dialog in it. Could it have been better. Sure. But as it is, it's still a pretty damned good movie! FOUR BULLSEYES OUT OF FOUR BULLSEYES on this one.

This is a very funny parody of the realities of life amongst the real yoopers, not the phony yoopers who live near academia at the colleges in The Soo, Marquette and Houghton. It started as a very successful play and has been carefully translated to film. It is about the myths and legends surrounding deer hunting camps and hunting. If you have ever spent time in a deer camp, you will recognize all the truths they joke about (drinking, cardplaying, farting, sacred clothing and food, etc. etc.). A bearwalker is an Indian legend about a spirit which has came back or been called back on a mission -- they often take the form of a bear, hence the name. See it.

I dont think most people will understand alot of the jokes told in this movie if you are not familiar with hows things are in the U.P. Most people who are not from the area probably will not like this movie.

This movie has a nice blend of sophomoric humor with a nice lesson in family values. This movie shows the sacrifices a family will make for one member which was real nice to see, and it was done in a manner that was not corny, so it carried an impact.

Most people who do not like this movie should because it was too goofy should lighten up. They need to realize that the movie is intended to be sophomoric, but carry an underlying message that is noted above.

Overall, I say this movie is a 8 out of 10. If you are in the mood for a silly funny movie, go out an rent this movie. I am glad to see that they finally released this movie, so it should start to become available, at least in the Michigan area.

I saw the stage version of this script, at the GEM Theatre in Detroit, with Jim Porterfield playing Harve Presnell's role "DABA" (Wayne David Parker) as Jimmer and Randall Godwin as the DNR cop. Although the movie is fun, the stage version is infinitely funnier. If you ever get the chance to see it performed live, don't miss it. By the way, if you happen to be a casino fan and are in the Detroit area, you'll recognize Randall Godwin's commercials and billboards immediately. If you listen to the radio anywhere you can't mistake the sound of DABA's voice.

As a Yooper born and raised,(Born in Norway, MI, and raised in Escanaba, MI) I found this movie to be hilarious! For me, it was very easy to distinguish the inside jokes, as only us Yooper's might get. All of my life, hunting season has been a "state holiday". Kids get the day off of school for opening day. They have "Widow's Balls" everywhere I have been up here. The men take off for a week to deer camp, to do more drinking and "hangin with the guys" than actual hunting. Its a tradition, with the added bonus of "Baggin Da Buck!"

I watched this movie being made, met some of the cast, watched some of my lucky friends get picked as "extras". We knew that alot of ppl round the nation might not "get" the movie, but it made us proud! Every other state has something to set them apart from others, well, we finally got ours! The whole movie showed us that while others may think the things that we do ar e odd, to us, its a way of life. Let the hunt go on, and may other small towns get their 15 minutes "In Da Moonlight!"