Duct Tape Forever

When I saw this movie, I had actually only seen the show twice. I joined a group of friends who told me that Steve "Red Green" Smith would be there at the theater to personally introduce the movie. So there I went... Even walked away with an autographed roll of duct tape.

Going into the movie, I didn't really know what to expect. The Red Green Show, while ingenious in its own way, would need the potential for some serious story expansion for the film to succeed. As Steve put it, "Decide how you feel about this movie before you see it."

This bit of comic relief not withstanding, this film was a very enjoyable buddy-picture. The plot is fairly standard fare, with the wealthy, megalomaniacal nemesis with 'mommy' issues who's looking to remove the lodge to develop the land, and the residents of said lodge making a last-ditch move to save it.

Harold... Was quite annoying. And in that aspect, the actor is no doubt quite talented. If you don't like the antics of an Urkel-type... Bring some earplugs.

Lots of good fun, if you don't need all-too serious of a plot. Now where's that duct tape...

This movie is very easy to review: if you already like "The Red Green Show", then you'll like this film -- if you don't like Red Green, this movie isn't for you.

Writer and star, Steve Smith, stays true to his TV show's premise with this movie, determined to give his fans exactly what they expect from him. Call this movie "Possum Lodge Goes On a Road Trip" and you've pretty much nailed the short description.

So it's slapstick, absurd humour, a dash of dry wit, and general goofiness all around, with Smith ably assisted by all of Possum Lodge's usual suspects. Patrick McKenna (as nerdy cousin Harold) tops the most-wanted list, with Graham Greene as explosion-happy Edgar stealing a few scenes as well. Bob Bainborough is solid as Dalton, Peter Keleghan is hilariously demented as Ranger Gord -- and Melissa DiMarco manages to make what could've been just the "I'm the movie's recurrent sexy girl" role into something more, something with a comedic payoff -- something I won't spoil here.

Honestly, there are a lot of talented people here, supporting what is essentially a very light, goofy entertainment. If you're okay with this style of comedy, you'll appreciate what they do.

Canadian viewers will no doubt have fun spotting various Canadian entertainers in often-clever cameo roles throughout the film.

The movie even dips into a little bit of character development in the last act, shedding some light on the reason behind Red's constant repartee with his manic nephew Harold. This segment is well-played, and it adds a bit of unexpected depth to the movie -- but it doesn't divert from the film's comedic momentum for very long, so Red Green fans needn't worry overmuch.

"Duct Tape Forever" is a good film for what it is -- it plays out exactly the way a fan of "The Red Green Show" would expect. If you like Red Green, then you'll like this film. If you don't "get" Red, then chances are, you won't "get" this movie either. I'm sure there's a Peter Greenaway retrospective playing at a rep house somewhere for you ... :-)

I should admit that I wasn't that much of a fan of the Red Green Show before I saw the movie, but now I watch the show a lot. Steve Smith is one of Canada's classics, along with pretty much all the actors which were ever on the show or movie. I was a bit disappointed that Rick Green wasn't in it as Bill, but that didn't keep me from enjoying the movie. There was not anything that I remember feeling disappointed or unsatisfied about, and I agree that it is a must for fans of Red Green, but those who don't 'get' the humour of the Red Green Show probably won't enjoy it- in which case I should give some healthy advice: Lighten Up! And one last thing I learned from this film: never leave your keys in the ignition when you step outside of your car.

This is a Canadian movie. Canadians will understand this comment, no other nationality will. They're striving for Third Prize in the duct tape contest because Third prize absolutely suits their needs. This has been the canadian credo in countless Olympics and other international convocations. The script is banal because, well, ever seen the Red Green Show?...comedy thrives on the banal. While the TV show is often hilarious, the movie is kind of in the Bob and Ray tradition: "If this gets any funnier I might actually laugh out loud." As Canadians we don't understand why other countries find our humour funny. But, witness SCTV; the overwhelming Canadian content of Saturday Night Live, plus the fact that there is not a single sitcom without a Canadian star or Writer and you see what I mean. This is a Canadian movie.

I enjoy watching The Red Green Show, and when I found out the cast made a movie, I was curious to see how it held up. Movies adapted from 5-minute sketch comedies have a reputation for spreading their routine too thin. Red Green benefits in having a large ensemble to draw on, and the antics of the other famed Possum Lakers break up the plot at intervals.

The gist of the story is that a land developer is demanding compensation for his limo that fell into a sinkhole outside the lodge. While the gang finds it fishy that a limo would be driving anywhere within 10 miles of the lodge, Harold comes up with a plan to enter a duct tape sculpture contest with a third-place prize large enough to pay their obligation.

It's a goofy movie, and while occasionally the actors still seem to have their TV-hamminess stuck on, the film is broken up to give different members of the cast a spotlight - highlights including scenes with Mike, Edgar, and Ranger Gord. While it does deviate a little from the show for some dramatic tension, it does so with Red's wry commentary and never feels terribly forced or out of place.

If you're a fan of the show, approach this as more of an extended outing with the gang than something that's really theatrical in scope. There's a little more budget (but not much), a little more story (again), but it's an enjoyable break from the norm of the series overall.