Customer Reviews

Death To Smoochy (Fullscreen Edition)

5 star:		(81)
4 star:		(37)
3 star:		(12)
2 star:		(17)
1 star:		(24)

 

 

This movie stars Edward Norton, is there anything more that can be said? ;) It's so nice to see such amazing diversity in an actor's characters. (If you want to know what I'm referring to, just go watch American History X and then Death to Smoochy).

"I think you'd have to be wired way too tight not to be able to laugh at this movie. It's able to give you a dark chuckle on an adult level and satirize things in a sophisticated way." -Edward Norton

Sure DTS's humor may be a little juvenile at some times, but it's nevertheless hillarious.

Highly recommended, if nothing else see it for Edward Norton, he gives a great performance (as always) and his character (Sheldon Mopes) is a nice change from the usual.

This movie is a prime example of why I never listen to professional critics. Most of the time, they hate movies that I love and love movies that I hate. Of course this movie isn't going to win any Acadamy Awards. Of course it isn't the best film ever. It's not trying to be. I found "Death to Smoochy" to be a dark and entertaining comedy with a really creative story. Robin Williams and Edward Norton star in this off-the-wall freak show directed by Danny DeVito.

Williams used to be "Rainbow Randolph;" a kiddie-show host who children just adored. That is, until he was busted for taking a bribe. Now the not so rainbow man is out of the job and is homeless. Out of an act of desperate measures, the company decides to hire Edward Norton; a dorky self-righteous dweeb without a single skeleton hiding in his closet. A new kiddie-show host is born, and his name is "Smoochy the Rhino." Well, Rainbow Randolph is not pleased at all. In fact, he's willing to take the rhino down for good. Because he's going hunting! The story unfolds with some of the most outrageous twists and turns to be seen in a comedy in a long time.

The acting is really good, and is right for this type of movie. Williams is over-the-top as always, and Norton really gives us the impression of such a moral imbecile, he makes Ned Flanders look like a no good hoodlum! The cast also inculdes Jon Stewart, Catherine Keener, and Danny DeVito himself. They all do this movie justice.

The directing by DeVito really shines in this movie. Had it been given to anyone else, it could've been a disaster. He knew when to have the actors take it up a notch and then tone it down when the time was right. I also really liked how the movie was filmed. At one minute, the movie would be bright and colorful, and then dark and grim the next. It really keeps the viewer's attention.

The DVD is quite good. Very surprised with it. As I said before, Warner Bros. usually likes to hold back when it comes to special features, but there's a lot on this one. Some of the features include commentary from the director and director of photography, additional scenes, bloopers and outtakes, trailers, and many more. I especially got a kick out of the bloopers and outtakes. Just wished it was a little longer.

So, if you're looking for an artistic movie or one that's going to win a few Oscars, then skip this movie. If you're looking for an off-the-wall dark comedy with a creative plot and story, then "Death to Smoochy" just may be the movie for you. Yes, I feel there could've been things done to make the movie better, but I was really pleased with the overall product. A very strange and bizarre movie it is, but that's the kind of movie I love.

I must have laughed half way through the movie, no kidding, just thinking about it makes me laugh... it was soooo funny!

The cover gives the impression that it is stupid but in reality the movie itself is a work of certifiable genious... I can't describe how good it is.

The fact that the movie itself was good but slightly stupid, and then any scene with Robin Williams in it makes you think that you will die laughing... His irradical hatred for the rhino "Smoochey" is blown ridiculously out of proportion and is just downright hilarious.

There was a scene where Robin Williams, (Raindbow Randolph) is watching TV and is seeing Smoochey on every channel and the dialouge is just hilarious.

"I Despise You..."
"I Loathe You!"
(Picks up a lamp and starts smashing the Tv while yelling:)

"Bastard son of Barnie!"
"Illeginamat Telitubby!"
"Die You Muppet From Hell!"
and then just starts screaming for like 10 seconds,
"Die!!!!!"
"Die!!!!!!!!"
"Die!!" all the while smashing the Tv into tiny pieces with a lamp, and there's just this crazy look in his eyes that makes me laugh for hours.


I simply can't stress how good this movie is, dumb, ya, a little, but still, hilarious and well made.

give this a watch... you'll laugh.

This is one of the finest black comedies to come out in years. Director Danny DeVito plunges into a dark and corrupt world of children's television in New York City. Robin Williams gives an intense performance as a popular performer for children who loses his throne in disgrace, and is supplanted by an arrogant hippie who tries to clean up the way business is done.

The caper soon involves multiple plots against the life of "Smoochy," the mealticket with a conscience. Involved in the intrigues and counter-intrigues are cynical network executives, the Irish mafia, a villainous charity organization, and a disgraced performer who is now homeless and deranged with anger. Meanwhile, the granola-brained Smoochy (played by Edward Norton) conceives of a narcissistic and horrendous ice show that completely sends up our culture of spectacle and self-involved commercial "art."

It is a wicked, no-holds-barred, brackish comedy with laser-precise comic timing and a dark, dark satire on American culture. I missed lines because I was laughing so hard. Highly recommended.

I don't think I've ever laughed harder than at "Death to Smoochy." The critics really missed the boat on this one - I guess only indie films are supposed to be dark and twisted. Danny DeVito has an all star cast (Ed Norton, Robin Williams, Catherine Keener, Jon Stewart, and himself), an enormous budget, and a script that's far too good for Hollywood. Between Keener's one-liners, Norton's naive saintliness, and Williams' breakneck insults, it's almost too much to handle. There are so many clever comedians here that the film suffers from a joyous excess. DeVito has also managed to do something that no one before him could - he normalizes Robin Williams. Within the gleefully insane context of the movie, Williams is as normal as anyone, or at least reasonably cracked, rather than completely out of place. A warning: this is not a movie for A) anyone who can remember having been offended, B) anyone who thinks that satire has to have a moral, or C) children. This is slapstick of the highest order. It exists solely to make adults laugh. Imagine the Coen Brothers directing a Tex Avery cartoon, and you'll begin to get the idea.

This hilarious skewering of kids television is refreshing even among dark comedies. Rainbow Randolph (Robin Williams) has lost it all - television show, penthouse, reputation - when his network producer (Catherine Keener) finds Sheldon Mopes (Edward Norton) singing in a homemade costume in a methadone clinic. She brings him aboard KidNet as Smoochy, dresses him up, gives him an elaborate, colorful set, and launches a career. The trouble is, Sheldon is naive, and wants only to teach children about the benefits of organic food, tolerance, and anti-consumerism. And Rainbow Randolph has dedicated his every waking minute to orchestrating his downfall. Throw in Danny DeVito as Smoochy's corrupt, power-hungry agent, a Irish mob protecting a lovable, brain-damaged boxer who loves Smoochy, the head of a children's charity capable of murder, and a string of has-been children's television performers - and you've got a twisted, laugh out loud black comedy that is like nothing else I've seen.

Even Barney-haters will love the clips from Smoochy's show since Sheldon believes so completely in goodness. He really wants to change the world, in his politically correct, strict vegetarian way. When he sings, "Your stepfather is not mean/(chorus of kids) He's just adjusting," it's hilarious. His wholesome image contrasts dramatically with the foul-mouthed, cynical, and even murderous characters around him. Robin Williams turns in an excellent grungy performance as Randolph. Edward Norton is completely believable and lovable as Sheldon/Smoochy, even when the corruption around him begins to affect him. Catherine Keener has just the right mix of hard-nosed corporate greed, cynicism, and the ability to be won over by a good children's song. Danny DeVito is the kind of seedy character he always plays; his real contribution to this film is as its director, and he does a fabulous job. The set and costume designs are notable as well.

You need a twisted sense of humor to fully appreciate this film. Oddly, despite the premise, this is not a mean comedy. Randolph's murderous impulses, while ugly, are off-set by Sheldon's honest attempts to protect the sanctity of children's television. If you're looking for an off-beat comedy, you've found your film.

Robin Williams in perhaps the single most vicious, despicable, and possibly the very funniest role of his entire career. Edward Norton as a soy-dog devouring "bottle of pancake syrup with legs". Danny Devito as a low-down greaseball. Okay, two surprises and one standard role. All three shine in this Devito-directed self-proclaimed 'black comedy', which has sparked protests from parents nationwide. Why? Don't ask me. Despite the R rating in the US and the equivalent rating of AA (Adult Accompaniment) in Canada, there actually seem to be some twits out there who will take their kids to see this simply because kiddie shows happen to be the subject material. Therefore, I will warn you now: THIS IS NOT A CHILDREN'S MOVIE. That said, it's a hilarious satire of the world of children's television and a very satisfying parody of Barney the Dinosaur. (At last!) It's also just a thoroughly enjoyable story that only gets better the second time. It has a bumper crop of corrupt, nasty villains, including the gravel-voiced Harvey Fierstein. It has enough platitudes and slipped-in health tips from Norton's free-spirited character to make anybody sick. It even has a costumed Elvis Stojko doing what he does best-- figure skating. In other words, this is one movie I may not let my kids see, but I'll be staying up late to watch it myself again and again.

I've heard a lot of negative commentary on this film, and I can understand why. The sort of rampant dark humor that makes Death to Smoochy so fantastic isn't to everyone's taste. The film is vulgar, violent, sarcastic, peculiar, and ridiculous. In short, it's brilliant. I believe that the only two reasons that it works so entirely well are: a)the perfect direction of Danny DeVito and b)the performances of a very talented cast. Robin Williams is just plain hilarious, as per usual. I think that much of his dialogue in the movie was improvised, which works so well for him. Edward Norton is just naturally silly enough to make us believe Smoochy- not many actors could have pulled off such a character with as much charm and believeablity as he. Catherine Keener, as always, does a wonderful job, and all the rest of the cast deserve commendation as well. Hats off to this delightfully (and naughtily) funny movie, it will always be a favorite of the few.

I haven't laughed so hard in a long time. Unfortunately, other viewers of this movie haven't kept a very open-mind about what they actually went to watch: a DARK COMEDY. In order to enjoy these types of movies, a person has to find humor in satire. This movie is a classic in my mind. I felt like it was well put together and has terrific cinematography. It's definately a lot of fun to watch and has a lot of memorable lines. Edward Norton is right on with his prissy naive character and Robin Williams in brilliant in his fowl-mouthed, dark, and as usual, his insane role. However, Katherine Keener's role was not impressive. She seemed to drift in and out of her character and gave little to nothing to this movie. But she didn't ruin it. It still succeeded to entertain! With a great cast of minor roles as well: particularly Michael Rispoli as the dim-witted ex-boxer! He was more memorable to me than Williams or Norton. I laughed until I nearly cried. Keep an open mind and if you enjoy satire--this film is for you!

I love this movie. Satiric and brutal, yes, but a unique, hilarious attention-grabber all the way through. If you can be objective and realize that it's okay to dislike some characters, like others, and still enjoy a movie, go for it.