Customer Reviews

Howard the Duck

5 star:		(134)
4 star:		(59)
3 star:		(29)
2 star:		(11)
1 star:		(52)

 

 

This is a review for the 2009 American dvd special edition release.

This is one of the most well known, whether you've seen it or not, films of all time. 23 Years ago George Lucas was one of the hottest producer/writer/directors in Hollywood thanks to his involvement with the original Star Wars trilogy and Indiana Jones. Everything he touched turned to gold. He started his own sound and effects companies that revolutionised the business and the method in which films are made, and he still does that today. Then came the infamous Howard The Duck. Even when it was announced some were unsure why Lucas would gravitate to such an offbeat concept(originally an equally offbeat and satirical Marvel comic). Then, the reports of the budget and reshoots(which thanks to this edition, you find out was due to the limitations of the original Howard puppet) had the skeptics reeling even more. Every writer would make sure to note the huge budget of the film, as if it was relevant to anyone at all. I notice some reviewers here on Amazon seem to use how much a film cost to deride it or how much it made to champion it, as if that says anything about the film itself. Independence Day was and is a terrible film but it made a tons of money when it was released. The true test of a good film or a film that trancends is time.

It's been over twenty years since Howard The Duck graced the silver screen and became one of the biggest and, apparently, most expenssive flops of all time. Everyone seems to know this movie. New generations who watched it on cable don't know a damn thing about the film's reviews or status back in the 80's and just take it for what it is: an extremely silly, farcical, goofy, sci-fi,fish out of water comedy, action adventure, horror movie. I saw this when I was really young and even at that young age I still knew something of what a flop this flick was, that's how hardcore the criticism was. Hell, there was an episode of Tiny Toon Adventures that had characters on the boxes in a video store coming to life, and one of them used the Howard The Duck video cassette as a bomb to stop an enemy(GET IT?!?!? HA!HA!)

Well, I still dont' get why this film was hated so much. I kind of get that it wasn't easily stuffed into convenient packaging. Was it a kids film? No, not really. It contains too much sexual humor, and innuendo to be. Was it a comedy? Yes, but it had some sincere and scary moments. Was it for an adult audience? Sort of. It was for anyone, but it seemed as though it would only appeal to those who feel like they're on the fringe of the norms in society. They can relate to its take no prisoners, anything goes approach to filmmaking and storytelling. That's the ticket. That's why it's a cult film now. An acquired taste produced to be a huge hit, but ended up only appealing to a small few.

The dvd itself is beautiful. The transfer is pristine. Surprisingly, the old-school effects hold up to the digital transfer. Phill Tippet's stop motion monsters at the end still look cool and the digital clean up doesn't make them look as arcane as one might expect. I've always thought John Barry's score was great. It still is. This film's score is one of the most memorable and creative, but due to the film's reputation it never got the kudos it deserves. In one scene there's broad comedy and puns, and then a sweet scene between Howard and Lea Thompson, followed by the awkwardness of a romance between a duck and a human, which is all scored appropriately and it works. There are two new featurettes on the disc. One is a retrospective doc, running about a half hour, about the making of the film and its development. We get the whole creative team of writer director Willard Huyck, writer/producer Gloria Katz(the writing team behind American Grafitti and Indiana Jones and the Temple Of Doom), actors Leah Thomson, Ed Gale(Howard), and Jeffrey Jones. I think it's sooo cool that they all participated in this and weren't afraid to openly say that they liked the film. There's a second featurette about the reaction to the film, it's reviews and box-office receipts. This one is fun too and it incorporates all those interview in previous featurette. Finally, we get the usual trailers and EPK materials from the film's original release.

I got this disc for 12 bucks. If you like or love this film then it's a must. If you're mildly interested or you love alternative cinema then it's a must as well. If you are still a hater from back in the day, then why the hell would you be reading this anyway?

PS: Rewatching the film yesterday, I really started missing the stop-motion effects that all but disappeared back in the mid 90's. The effects are so good, detailed, weighty, and other-worldly that I just smiled through the whole end sequence. Sure, CGI has it's place for a lot of things it does great or brilliantly(Benjamin Button, Gladiator etc.) but when it comes to creature or monsters or aliens does it look any more real in CGI? I don't know. I always know when I'm looking at something that's fully CGI and I know it's not really there. I felt the same way about old school effects. Gollum from the Lord of the Rings trilogy came closest in that regard,but that's about it. Just something to ponder if you will....

I understand why someone who is looking for a great film would be disappointed. Howard the Duck is no Saving Private Ryan or English Patient. Thankfully not all films are or we'd be really bored. What Howard The Duck IS is entertaining. It's a guy in a duck suit...so what? It's pretty funny and refreshingly enjoyable to watch. It is a well made B-movie...so if you look at it on that level then it's a lot of fun. And it's not helpful to compare the film which is aimed at a young audience to the comic which was very adult. Two different things entirely...really, if there were enough fans of the comic (and I'm one) then there would be a new, adult version of Howard. I don't see that happening. So enjoy the film for what it is. I hope the DVD does it justice.

Apparently yes they did, as it is a fave of some reviewers here! And I'm on that list. This is a fun film, though clearly not a great one. The creator (Steve Gerber) of HTD was ignored and had to sue to get the rights back. If they had consulted him this film would be better. The comic book was more satirical and Howard was less obnoxious in it. And despite the description of the film here, there was a man (little person) in the costume, That in my opinion was a mistake. Having Howard be animated in a live action world would have made it much better as a film as Roger Rabbit proved a few years later. Give it a try!

I am 25 years old. I loved this movie as a kid. I watched it over and over again. I just ordered it for my 7 year old son with the hopes that he will like it as much as I did. I is a funny and stupid movie, but well worth it for the kids to watch. I highly recommend this movie for anyone between the ages of 5-13 years old.

Possibly one of the funniest, and most entertaining movies of it's time. I loved this movie from the first time I saw it, MANY years ago. There are no foul (small pun) words, at all, and the sexually suggestive scene's are done with only comedy in mind. I highly recommend this movie to Sci-fi'ers and comedy fanatics alike.

First of all, you have to remember that this is a sci-fi comedy based on a comic book! It was never meant to stand up against George Lucas' other sci-fi giant "Star Wars".

Sure, the story line is preposterous. A science experiment gone awry, transports to Earth a lone "person" from a semi parallel universe where the predominant species are ducks. Is that harder to believe than a high-school kid who gets bitten by a radioactive spider and starts to grow silk glands, spin webs and climb straight up vertical walls? No, and yet "Spiderman" was one of the biggest hits of the year, and was slated for a sequel before it even hit the theaters.

Yes, "Howard" is filled with "predictable, cheap one-liners." ("Howard, duck!" "And proud of it!") Look at any Mel Brooks or old Bob Hope film. What are they full of? Predictable, cheap one-liners, yet they are some of the funniest movies ever made.

And what about the acting? Well, I feel that the then pretty much unknown Tim Robbins' portrayal of the nerdy lab assistant was suburb. He actually made the geek that much more believable. Jeffery Jones as the scientist whose body is taken over by the monster alien is absolutely perfect in the restaurant scene. ("She took my eggs!") And what can I say about the lovely Lea Thompson, except she is wonderfully fresh, and even does a fantastic job with her own singing.

All in all, you have to ignore the turkey critics on this one and see for yourself. If you give it the chance it deserves, Howard the Duck will make you laugh and cry at the same time, and that is a sign of true comedy genius!

(...)Howard the Duck is all of this and more. I first saw this movie in theaters and loved it. Lea Thompson and the rest of her band The Cheery Bombs are sexy, and the theme song is real catchy!

The special effects are up to par with the technology at the time, and the comedy is right on the nose. I mean c'mon those Dark Overlords were pretty cool looking. Anyone who claims to hate this movie is obviously an 80's hater. (...) This film defines great 80's cinema and I could never understand the backlash. Many great movies have bombed at the theaters only to become favorite classics (the original Blues Brothers and It's a Wonderful Life come to mind).

(...)I will defend this movie until my dying day. Howard the Duck is a great movie from the greatest decade of the 20th Century. Hail Howard!!!

This movie for the most part is bad. Another bad Marvel adaption with not much going for it. Sure it has Lea Thompson but the film sans rhyme and reason which is what lead to negative reviews. I must admit there is some unintentional humor but not enough. Although this flick isn't the worst Comicbook adaption. (Captain America is far worst) This flick is still lacking. Good special FX,a few mildly diverting moments and unintentional amusement raise the entertainment level a notch. For those looking for a good movie are well asvised to give this one a pass,Those looking for cheesy moments and those who love to mock the 80's are advised to check out the flick. But only to mock it.

Do not let the title fool you. "Howard The Duck" is a monumental film that needs to be reckoned with. A solid story packed with action, intrigue, romance, science fiction and 80's rock and roll. All of this is brought together to make one of the worlds most unique specticles ever put to film.

This movie created its own genre.........its like "Big Trouble In Little China" meets "Star Man". I give it 5 stars because it stands alone.

people are out of their minds. this was a pretty good movie and im getting one on dvd. it was a very cute movie for kids and adults enjoy this one as well.it is different i can tell you that. yes it was a midget in a costume but who cares. the movie was still great