12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
A waste of Leslie Nielsen's talents, March 14, 2002
By A Customer
The first part was promising, but the rest became very messy with a confusing plot and poor direction. The DVD release is not widescreen, for some unfathomable reason. A disappointment.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Do the Times Affect Our Sense of Humor?, December 19, 2003
Most of the previous reviewers of this film are split into two extreme camps, even those that have been long-standing fans of Leslie Nielsen: loved it or hated it. I've enjoyed his past films, including some that are serious, and I enjoyed this one largely because at present I happen to be interested in the concept of PARODIES. Obviously a four- or five-star rating of a parody does not mean the same thing as a similar rating of an adventure film, a romance film, a tragic film, or whatever.
Whereas Mel Brooks's SPACEBALLS was a rifle-shot parody of Lucas's STAR WARS, this film is more of a scatter-gun parody of science fiction films in general. And both kinds of parodies "require" several things of their viewers if optimum enjoyment to be received: (a) a fairly detailed prior knowledge of the film(s) being parodied, (b) the patience to tolerate a wide range of jokes of wide-ranging quality (some pretty lame; some even deceased), and (c) an ability to get silly and laugh at silly things (including, often, potty humor). In this case, while (a) and (b) may have been problems for some people, I suspect that a number of viewers were not able get in the mood because of the "times" we're living in--deeply anxious and depressing ones, for a wide variety of reasons I DON'T need to list.
I personally did not notice any lessening of Nielsen's ability to perform goofy comedy, nor did I think the script was inferior to other parodies he's been in. Further, Ophélie Winter struck me as a delightful plus to the cast: without her, I'd have rated the film just three stars.
Soooo--if you're in a horrible mood, don't expect this film to be your ticket to escape to happy La-la Land. It MAY be that, but don't count on it.
Like a lot of goofy films, it's best seen at home with friends or family, so the jokes can be shared, replayed, discussed, explained, etc. together--AND with comfort-food snacks and (perhaps) a six-pack o'beer or a bottle of cheap sweet wine to help you meet the silliness halfway. Peace on Earth.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
For Insomniacs And Zombies Only., August 16, 2002
Poor Leslie Nielson. After making a couple of funny movies with the Zucker Bros (NAKED GUN series, AIRPLANE) he is now stuck with low grade spoofs. SPY HARD, DRACULA: DEAD AND LOVING IT, WRONGFULLY ACCUSED and now this, which is worse than any of the aforementioned. I won't bother going into detail because this is just not funny. In fact, its downright boring. Arthur C Clarke should sue the makers of this movie for playing on the title of 2001. If you're already dead from the neck up you may find something of merit in this movie, if not don't waste your time.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No