bnorthup
10-01-2001, 11:22 AM
Rat Race (PG)
2 stars
Headline: Cleese and crackers
By Brent Northup
Some bad movies are better than others. “Rat Race” is a silly, pointless comedy that has enough goofy moments to keep cynicism at bay. And the star-studded cast – led by John Cleese, Whoopi Goldberg and Cuba Gooding, Jr. – obviously had a good time.
“Rat Race” is a return to the Burt Reynolds era of “Cannonball Run.” More “seasoned” moviegoers, will think back to “It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World.” The plot finds a group of certified crazy people racing across the country to win $2 million. (Reynolds, or a lookalike, has a walk-on moment).
The race is sponsored by a casino owner (John Cleese) who uses it to attract high rollers to played huge bets. The participants were hand- picked by Cleese, presumably because none of them is sane. There are two loony brothers (Seth Green, Vince Vieluf); a dimwitted NFL referree (Gooding Jr.); a mom and daughter (Whoopi and Lanei Chapman); a henpecked husband and his family (Jon Lovitz, Kathy Najimy); a straight- laced lawyer (Breckin Meyer); and a narcoleptic Italian (Rowan Atkinson).
They leave Vegas on a dash to New Mexico to find a bag full of money.
The cast is loaded with talented comedians, but only a few of them are memorable. John Cleese, of course, is wonderful as the cynical casino owner who will do anything to attract bettors. Rowan Atkinson steals the show as the narcoleptic who occasionally freezes in mid-stride, perhaps in a crowded airport. Lovitz is funny, too, as the husband who tries futilely to escape from his wife, who knows his tricks.
I particularly enjoyed the Cleese touches, such as when he had hotel maids hanging from curtain rods – with rich bettors waging on which one will drop to the floor last. We need more John Cleese movies!
The ending was above average as well, with our money-toting heroes landing, accidentally, on the stage of a national fundraising marathon – and being praised for their selflessness, despite the fact that they are all thoroughly selfish.
There are lots of lame moments, however, and this film is no classic. Cuba Gooding Jr. just isn’t very funny, but it is a good sight gag to have him driving a bus full of Lucille Ball lookalikes. Just seeing all those Lucy dresses at one time, hiking down a highway was good for a belly laugh.
“Rat Race” is a reminder that it takes more than a stellar cast of funny people to create a great comedy. The script and the direction are more crucial than the cast in making funny movies. And, sadly, neither the writing nor the direction is inspired.
2 stars
Headline: Cleese and crackers
By Brent Northup
Some bad movies are better than others. “Rat Race” is a silly, pointless comedy that has enough goofy moments to keep cynicism at bay. And the star-studded cast – led by John Cleese, Whoopi Goldberg and Cuba Gooding, Jr. – obviously had a good time.
“Rat Race” is a return to the Burt Reynolds era of “Cannonball Run.” More “seasoned” moviegoers, will think back to “It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World.” The plot finds a group of certified crazy people racing across the country to win $2 million. (Reynolds, or a lookalike, has a walk-on moment).
The race is sponsored by a casino owner (John Cleese) who uses it to attract high rollers to played huge bets. The participants were hand- picked by Cleese, presumably because none of them is sane. There are two loony brothers (Seth Green, Vince Vieluf); a dimwitted NFL referree (Gooding Jr.); a mom and daughter (Whoopi and Lanei Chapman); a henpecked husband and his family (Jon Lovitz, Kathy Najimy); a straight- laced lawyer (Breckin Meyer); and a narcoleptic Italian (Rowan Atkinson).
They leave Vegas on a dash to New Mexico to find a bag full of money.
The cast is loaded with talented comedians, but only a few of them are memorable. John Cleese, of course, is wonderful as the cynical casino owner who will do anything to attract bettors. Rowan Atkinson steals the show as the narcoleptic who occasionally freezes in mid-stride, perhaps in a crowded airport. Lovitz is funny, too, as the husband who tries futilely to escape from his wife, who knows his tricks.
I particularly enjoyed the Cleese touches, such as when he had hotel maids hanging from curtain rods – with rich bettors waging on which one will drop to the floor last. We need more John Cleese movies!
The ending was above average as well, with our money-toting heroes landing, accidentally, on the stage of a national fundraising marathon – and being praised for their selflessness, despite the fact that they are all thoroughly selfish.
There are lots of lame moments, however, and this film is no classic. Cuba Gooding Jr. just isn’t very funny, but it is a good sight gag to have him driving a bus full of Lucille Ball lookalikes. Just seeing all those Lucy dresses at one time, hiking down a highway was good for a belly laugh.
“Rat Race” is a reminder that it takes more than a stellar cast of funny people to create a great comedy. The script and the direction are more crucial than the cast in making funny movies. And, sadly, neither the writing nor the direction is inspired.