Big Trouble Review
by David Levine (levine AT filmcritic DOT com)April 3rd, 2002
BIG TROUBLE
A film review by David Levine
Copyright 2002 filmcritic.com
Much has been said about Big Trouble, another film meant for a near-September 11th release that was postponed because its contents would be too upsetting amidst the tragedy. Now, seven months and countless airport security measures later, Touchtone Pictures has determined that it is a better time for the film’s release.
But forget about September 11th for a moment and consider this: Is there ever a good time to release a film that endorses bribing airline personal for tickets to carry a suitcase containing a ticking nuclear bomb onto a plane? The answer is easy. Pre- or post-September 11th, there is no appropriate time for a comedy this poorly conceived. Big Trouble is irresponsible filmmaking; it doesn't even justify the space for an explanation. But since reviews are my business, let me try to sort out this movie’s mess.
The film is based on the first novel by Pulitzer Prize-winning humorist Dave Barry and follows a chain of events inspired by the arrival of a mysterious suitcase in Miami. A corrupt business owner, Arthur Herk (Stanley Tucci), wants the case, but two useless hitmen (Dennis Farina and Jack Kehler) want him dead. Herk’s wife Anna (Rene Russo) and daughter Jenny (Zooey Deschanel), are tired of his fixation with drinking and television so they find new love interests in divorced dad Eliot Arnold (Tim Allen) and his son Matt (Ben Foster). To further complicated matters, two knuckleheaded crooks (Tom Sizemore and Johnny Knoxville) steal the case and lead a Miami police team (Janeane Garofalo and Patrick Warburton, Seinfeld’s Puddy) and two FBI agents (Dwight “Heavy D” Myers and Omar Epps) on a wild goose chase that ends inside the airport terminal.
This coveted suitcase initially works to the film's advantage, serving as a McGuffin – an object that is important to the characters but is of little interest to the audience. Because of all the fuss being made over the case, Big Trouble approaches something palatable as a dark (very dark) comedy. But later, when the contents inside are revealed, the McGuffin now becomes important to us. From that point forward, Big Trouble looses what little sense of humor it had and quickly turns offensive.
With Big Trouble, director Barry Sonnenfeld tries to relive the success of his previous ensemble piece Get Shorty by returning cast members Russo and Farina and giving it the same look, feel, and direction as its predecessor. However, with all of its plot absurdities, Big Trouble dwarfs the tremendous potential for these stars to have a chance of displaying any real comedic synergy. Their talents are a complete waste on this film.
At 85 minutes, the short running time is the only saving grace. But for the many who left my screening early, even that was too long.
RATING: * [LOWEST RATING]
[* = lowest rating / ***** = highest rating]
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Director: Barry Sonnenfeld
Producer: Barry Sonnenfeld, Barry Josephson, Tom Jacobson
Writer: Robert Ramsey, Matthew Stone
Starring: Tim Allen, Rene Russo, Omar Epps, Dennis Farina, Janeane Garofalo, Stanley Tucci, Dwight “Heavy D” Myers, Tom Sizemore
http://www.bigtrouble.net
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