callaspadeaspade

First let me say that I love Ron Howard. I also appreciate Jim Carrey. I've seen the half hour animation every Christmas my whole childhood. The way this movie was blown into a feature length film was fine. Most of the added stuff fit with the characters and story established in the original. But it was a little too loud. Sometimes, way too loud. The sets were incredible and the make-up was great, but it's much easier to sit through a half hour than two hours plus. Still, you can do worse for a holiday movie.

*** out of ****

This is a really good movie though it doesn't quite reach greatness. The comparisons to Indiana Jones are largely responsible for that. But if you watch it on its own level, it's highly entertaining. Danny DeVito is really very funny and Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner are solid in the lead roles. Actually, this may be my favorite as far as her work goes.

For all you who don't care what is said in a movie, ignore this part. But, I have to say that the language seems a bit to crude and harsh and overall excessive for a family film. Don't get me wrong, Pulp Fiction is one of my favorite movies, but it's not marketed for the family. This is, and although I think a little spicy language is fine in a "family" film, this just seems to go too far with that and some of the crude humor. This is just in case you are sensitive to that sort of thing when looking for a movie to show the kids.

That being said, this movie works on every other level. It's one I crave to watch every now and then.

*** out of ****

I love this movie for Goldie Hawn when she was cute, Chevy Chase when he was charming and witty, and Dudley Moore when he was just down right funny. I wish Chevy had more to do in this, but luckily he would do Fletch later. When ever I want to see Goldie at her best I put this in.

Yes, it seems to be a little "paint by the numbers", but as of 1978, how many times had those numbers really been painted? And the energy of the entire cast keeps the movie moving and highly entertaining even if it's a little predictable. I also like the way that the '70's mind-set is purely captured in this film. The way drugs were more casual, some woman were so obsessed with being raped, and the hair and clothing styles. It's dated, but it's really fun to go back and visit that time.

So, if you're in the mood for funny and don't mind going back a little ways to get it, this movie should satisfy.

***1/2 out of ****