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Ergo777
Reviews
Tommy Boy (1995)
Comedy Masterclass from Farley
I had only seen two of Chris Farley's other films - Black Sheep, which I thought was so crap I only made it halfway through and Beverly Hills Ninja which did have some really funny moments - but Tommy Boy was far and away his best film. The laughs come pretty much non-stop from start to finish, the film rarely loses any momentum and this only really happens when Farley isn't featuring.
The plot is simple but as a comedy doesn't need to be anything else. This film has so many funny scenes in it. The scene on the lake with the smart kids, the "other guys brake pads" speech, explaining why "he sucks as a salesmen" to Helen the waitress.
There's too many funny moments to list - whenever Farley is on screen he's funny as hell. The funniest parts for me were the smaller stuff - like right at the start when he's fooling about in his dad's factory - whenever I remember his facials when he is doing the karate kid impersonation, it always makes me smile. Just one of the funniest things i've ever seen.
David Spades character is the perfect foil to the hyperactive Tommy Boy. But his sarcastic observations and putdowns of Farley's character don't come across as nasty as you know that underneath it all they are really friends.
That is another strong element of the film. It has some heartfelt moments, mostly relating to the death of the father, that adds a lot to the mostly zany, slapstick stuff.
This is in my top couple of comedies - up there with Old School, Fletch and Bridesmaids. I don't understand why some so called professional critics rate this film so poorly. Roger Ebert whinges about the failings of the plot - the plot for this film is fine, it moves the story along like its supposed to. It's not meant to be complicated or a mindbender like Inception or Donnie Darko for christ sakes. Also he says "no one is funny in this film" - are you f*%ing kidding me? Farley's performance in Tommy Boy is one of the greatest comedic performances of all time. I understand what everyone finds funny isn't all the same, but I just don't see how you can watch this and not be impressed.
If you need cheering up you can't go wrong with Tommy Boy.
Rapid Fire (1992)
Shame he went so soon
Rapid Fire was one of the three hollywood films that Brandon Lee starred in. The others being Showdown in Little Tokyo and the Crow. This was one of the best martial arts/action films I have ever seen and I never get tired watching it. The plot is pretty basic but this is solely a showcase for Brandon Lees martial arts. The fight in the hotel and the restaurant are some of the most entertaining I have seen. I think that it works that he doesn't come across as invincible but you know he is going to prevail. The fight scenes are frenetic but realistic and pack a real punch.
Also the film had quite a few funny moments. Particularly from the mob boss played by Nick Mancuso - but also Lee as well that keep the film entertaining inbetween the action.
There is also a bit of heart as well with Lees character mourning his dad. I always wondered whether he was chanelling the loss of his own father, particularly in the scene at the female detectives house.
Overall this was an excellent action film that show Brandon Lee was a real talent and it's a tragedy he died so young. I think if he would have gone on he would have been a real superstar.