59 of 62 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Classic film like no other!!!!, June 15, 2004
I remember really diggin the hell out of this at the theatre, despite the fact that it tanked and I was all of 12. What gets me is that- I understand why your average brainwashed zombified office drone wouldn't like this but the critics panned it too. Actually, that doesn't surprise me, given the heidi fleiss treatment they've lavished on the wretched 'Troy.' Anyway, Glad to see there's a little amazon cult of like-minded souls who appreciate the hilarious absurdity, one-off jokes, great performances, neat ideas and all around craziness this movie delivers.
Yeah, there are some plot problems and pacing is off-kilter, but heck, this film is so much fun from the first second til the end when Eddie finally gets his- no I won't ruin it... Give it a chance. I haven't perused the DVD but doubt it has much extra stuff. This isn't the kind of film the gets the redux.
If the thought of Danny Aiello, Bruce Willis, James Coburn, Sandra Bernhardt, Andie McDowell (no relation to Malcolm), a young David Caruso, and a handful of other dynamic character actors doesn't appeal to you then stop reading now. Moreover, if the thought of the world's greatest jewel thief stealing Da Vinci treasures, a Vatican spy agency, an over-the-top madman entrepreneur and his depraved wife aimed at destroying the world's economy, a corrupt CIA covert ops team called "The Candybars," doesn't pique your interest then go back to bed.
Some of the best one liners I've ever heard. They never get old. "I must speak with the dolphins now." "Just kill her- Darwin! This is supposed to be torture, not therapy." "Bettie Jo Baijarsky? I can get you an address on that." "Bunny?!? Ball Ball!!!"
If you like Bill Murray's everyman attitude in ghostbusters then this film's humor will appeal.
In summation- If you dug 'Ice Pirates,' "The Princess Bride," or any Terry Gilliam film you will probably dig this one.
ciao.
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28 of 30 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
WAY AHEAD OF ITS TIME!, May 11, 2002
Which is why many people never got it. They were probably expecting DIE HARD or a hard action film but this is delightfully lighthearted and funny in a silly kind of way. NO WAY is it meant to be taken seriously. Like a film where thieves time their robberies to songs is supposed to be real?
Eddie Hawkins (Willis) is the Hudson Hawk, the greatest catburglar who ever lived and he has been blackmailed by the CIA and an OTT camp villian couple called The Mayflowers (Richard E. Grant and Sandra Bernhard). Against his will he is shipped off to Rome (literally) to steal some of DaVinci's greatest works. His friend Tommy (Danny Aiello) and an undercover nun (Andie MacDowell) assist him as he robs the Vatican and tries to shake off a bunch of MTV-generation CIA agents called the Candy Bars (Kit-Kat, Butterfinger, Snickers and Almond Joy). Much adventure and comedy follows.
It's got lots of silly humor and cool stunts and is richly bizzare too. Quite refreshing really. Don't watch this expecting anything else than deliberate silliness. It's a film I can watch when I'm in any mood as it is major fun.
The DVD is in pretty plain Dolby 2.0 surround and is anamorphically enhanced at 1.85:1
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28 of 33 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Sorry Mr. Editor...this is a lost GEM !!!, July 28, 2004
I don't understand...and I don't really care about the other reviews. This is a very funny movie. A young Bruce Willis and an all-star cast. Hidden humor abounds in the tounge-in-cheek action comedy. The presidential phone ring from James Coburn's Flint movies is just one example. I rented it and now I plan to buy it.
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