Customer Reviews

Johnny Dangerously [VHS]

5 star:		(57)
4 star:		(18)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I have NEVER understood why this movie has been so poorly rated. It is hilarious from start to finish; it has fantastic comedic writing and a wonderful cast. Anyone who watched this with me on tape ended up borrowing it, and no one I know agrees with the reviewers; they LIKE this movie! It is a parody of the 1930's gangster movies and, as such is in a class with "Young Frankenstein" and "Blazing Saddles". Michel Keaton is the title character who turns to a life of "crime" in order to provide for his mother's endless series of life saving surgeries. His old Irish mother is played by Maureen Stapleton (and no one will ever forget "Hi. I'm Ma Kelley and I go both ways"). The characters and the one liners are simply fantastic. I tend to be very critical of movies and books: to "work" they have to occasion that "willful suspension of disbelief" that lets the viewer/reader get "into" the story. In my experience, this is most difficult in a comedy because it is hard to sustain the participation of the viewer in observing the story. However, it happens here seamlessly. I was particularly happy to have the DVD, because my tape was showing its age and use. From a technical point of view, the DVD does what it is supposed to do: crisp, clean and vivid picture and good (pre-Dolby 5.1, though) sound. The price is right, too. If you watch it and disagree with my high regard for this film, send an e-mail. But I'll bet that you find it to be a delightful film.

Sometimes the critics need to let go of their intellectual snobbery and just go with comedic timing. The entire cast of this film works well together, the jokes are funny and some people have been using quotes from this movie for twenty years. That's got to count for something.

So go out and buy this movie, you farging iceholes.

One of the more under-appreciated comedies of the 1980's, Johnny Dangerously seems to have slipped under the radar of the majority of the movie viewing public. But this is a true gem of a comedy created in the spirit of cult hits like Airplane and The Naked Gun. Sporting an all-star cast, and an endless number of hilarious scenes and one-liners, Johnny Dangerously is one of my favorite comedy films of all time. Michael Keaton is at his best in a comedic role (much like Tom Hanks before he too moved into more serious roles). Joe Piscopo also turns in one of his most memorable movie appearances, but the show stealer is little known actor Richard Dimitri in his portrayal of Roman Moronie - that fargin' bastage can really act!

Set in the 1930's, Johnny Dangerously follows the life of Johnny Kelly (Michael Keaton), an honest, All-American boy who turns to a life of crime in order to help pay for his mother's ever-mounting medical bills. When local gangster Jocko Dundee (Peter Boyle) has his butt saved by the enterprising young paperboy, he gives him the nickname Johnny Dangerously and hires him to work as courier in his operation. Boyle, a superb actor in his own right (Honeymoon In Vegas and Everybody Loves Raymond), has several great one-liners, and right from the start, this movie is scene after scene of laughs...

As the years pass, Johnny works his way up in the Dundee gang, which wages a constant turf war with the immigrant mobster Roman Moronie (Richard Dimitri). However, when Jocko is assassinated, Johnny is appointed to take his place, prompting inter-gang rival Danny Vermin (Joe Piscopo) to form his own gang in direct competition to Johnny. The situation is further complicated when Johnny's little brother, Tommy (Griffin Dunne), rises to the position of Attorney General, vowing to take on mobsters like Johnny Dangerously. When Danny Vermin finds out that Johnny and Tommy are brothers, he uses the information to his own advantage - threatening to ruin Johnny and all he holds dear...

Featuring a brief appearance by Danny DeVito, and Marliu Henner starring in a supporting role, Johnny Dangerously is packed with top-tier talent. Well written, and absolutely hilarious, the film is another comedy classic for director Amy Heckerling (Fast Times At Ridgemont High, European Vacation, Clueless, and A Night At The Roxbury). The laughs are endless in Johnny Dangerously, which is filled with scenes such as the one where Michael Keaton gives his mob buddies a pep talk about the need to compete against "low-cost, high-quality Japanese gangs" and Joe Piscopo's warning to not hang him on a hook, because his "sister hung him on a hook once... Once!"

The key to Johnny Dangerously's success is the performers and their ability to deliver the lines with absolute perfection. A cast with lesser experience in the realm of comedy would have made this movie a footnote in history. Instead, Johnny Dangerously turned out to be one of the top comedies of the decade. If you haven't seen it (and a lot of people haven't even heard of it), then I highly recommend that you watch Johnny Dangerously. It's quite simply one of the funniest films ever made, and it's definitely a must-see...

The DVD Report

Okay, maybe that's a little harsh,b ut I do think a lot of the reviewers (especialy the editorial review) are taking this film way too seriously. Okay, so "Johnny Dangerously" isn't a comedic masterpiece like, say, "Young Frankenstein" or "Monty Python & The Holy Grail". But is certainly a hilarious romp that most people, if they're in the right frame of mind, will indeed enjoy.

Michael Keaton, in pre - Batman mode, turns in a dynamite comedic performance on par with "Beetlejuice" and "Mr. Mom" as Johnny Kelly, a young man trying to support his constantly sick mother (Maureen Stapleton). With no other option, he establishes himself as a notorious mob kingpin named Johnny Dangerously. Soon, everyone in town knows his name, and Johnny's raking in the dough. He also manages to woo a sulrty nughtclub singer (Marilu Henner), make his brother Tommy (Griffin Dunne) the new D.A., and support his mom. But there are some people in town intent on bringing Johnny down. Especially his arch rival, Danny Vermin (Joe Piscopo, fresh of his last seas on on "Saturday Nigt Live"). So when Johnny decides to go legit, Danny naturally strikes. It's a gaggle of laughs and loads of fun from here on in.

The film is actually nowhere near as bad as msost people say it is. The writing is expertly done, and the set designs are fantastic. The thing that really drew me in, though, was the cast. Michael Keaton puts on one of his best pre - Batman roles here. The rest of the cast delivers as well. Henner, Stapleton, Dunne and Piscop provide ample support, while Dom Delouise, Richard Dimitri (butchering the English language as Boss Moronie), Ray Walston, Peter Boyle and Danny DeVito all pop up for some hilarious cameos. This is a movie I'd recommend to most people who love comedies. You won't be disappointed.

This movie features an all-star cast and bigtime belly laughs.Michael Keaton is fantastic as a gangster who is forced into a life of crime to help his ailing mother pay her medical bills.(The funniest part is that he's now trying to go straight).Joe Piscopo had me laughing throughout the whole movie- Danny DeVito,Marilu Henner,and Dom DeLuise all were perfect for their roles.But the best scenes involved the ones featuring Roman Maronie,the Italian clubowner.His butchery of the English language will have you laughing so hard you'll have to pause the tape-he steals the show!Also look for a cameo from former NFL star Dick Butkus.Watch this movie-you'll howl with laughter!

If you like parody movies you'll love this one. Excellent casting with numerous cameos and a good story line make this a fun movie to watch. This is the type of comedy Michael Keaton excels at.

Sheesh, how can you not think the totally hilarious overdone accent (i.e.fargin' icehole and bastiches)is not funny. This movie is similar to movies such as Spaceballs etc. Its suppossed to be silly and inane. Its fun and thats the whole premise of the movie. Laugh a little and lighten up!

Best mafia spoof movie made yet. Michael Keaton plays comedy very well in this role. It's relatively clean-cut with sexual innuendos scattered throughout, but too subtle for children to even notice. The duel with Roman Maroni and his constant assault on the English language is hilarious. Definite addition to anyone with a sense of humor..

This is one of those movies which will have you repeating lines over and over to your friends.

Twelve-year-old Johnny Kelly earns an honest living as a paperboy with his prematurely aged mother and his law-engrossed little brother, Tommy. To pay for an urgent surgery for his mother (the first of a seemingly eternal series), Johnny joins the mob and grows to adulthood as a suave ladies' man. But first, rival crime boss Roman Moroni (Richard Dimitri, who murders the English language and his rivals) (Moroni had a lot of rules for his gang. Number one: never park in his private parking space (explosion)) and later, fellow gang member Danny Vermin (Joe Piscopo) will pay any price to stop him . . . not to mention Tommy, who has just graduated from law school and intends to fight crime, not knowing that his brother runs most of it!

Absolutely hysterical. Maureen Stapleton delights as Ma Kelly, and Griffin Dunne turns in an absolutely hysterical straight man role as Tommy Kelly, and is played upon by Johnny (Michael Keaton), Stapleton, and Danny DeVito (as Tommy's crooked boss, District Attorney Burr, who subsequently dies in a beer commercial). Watch for a hysterical performance by Hal Riddle, as an obsequious prison warden, anxious to do anything possible for his celebrity prisoner. (When Johnny asks to have his execution moved up as part of an escape plot, "Fry me tonight!", Riddle replies "Anything for you, Johnny! . . . We'll bump Steinberg. Dangerously will go to the chair tonight.")

The plot doesn't make much sense, but don't worry too much about it, you'll be too busy laughing to worry about such things!

This movie is Funny!! A great romp for adults young and old.