Dudley Do-Right Review
by "Michael Elliott" (ccritic AT bellsouth DOT net)August 31st, 1999
Christian Critic's Movie Parables - http://www.christiancritic.com
DUDLEY DO-RIGHT
** out of **** stars
====================
Directed by: Hugh Wilson
Starring: Brendan Fraser
Sarah Jessica Parker
Alfred Molina
Eric Idle
Alex Rocco
Written by: Hugh Wilson
Rated: PG for cartoon violence
Scripture Psalms 73:12-19
Psalms 52:3-7
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Brendan Fraser (GEORGE OF THE JUNGLE) continues his string of cartoon characters by taking on the role of the world's most recognizable Canadian Royal Mountie. But he should have gone for the voice. Seeing DUDLEY DO-RIGHT without hearing the nasally pompous tones of Bill Scott (who also did the voice of BULWINKLE) is like trying to listen to ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS' voices at regular speed. It just isn't that funny.
With none the wit of Jay Ward's 1969 original animated source, the filmmakers who bring us the live action DUDLEY DO-RIGHT resort to sight gags and slapstick. It sometimes works, it mostly doesn't. This film's Do-Right is more of a "doofus."
Dudley, we discover, grew up with the dream of being a Canadian Royal Mountie. His boyhood chum, Snidley Whiplash, had a different dream. He wanted to be a bad guy so he could have all the bad guy kind of fun.
Living in the Canadian town of Semi-Happy Valley, both Dudley and Snidely attain their respective goals, opposing as they may be. Caught in the middle is the fair Nell Fenwick who must divide her affections betwixt them.
After Whiplash drives off all the residents of Semi-Happy Valley, he peppers the rocks and streams with gold buckshot in order to force a phony "Gold Rush." Since he now owns the entire town, the onrush of fortune seekers is making him a fortune, turning him into a "respectable" business man. Why, he's even started to add color to his wardrobe. Dudley, on the other hand, is losing everything. His job, his uniform, his horse... With the spiritual help of Eric Idle (SPLITTING HEIRS), Dudley must learn to do bad so he can get back to doing right.
The story is a disappointment to anyone who remembers the adult intelligence and wit of Jay Ward's animated shows which combined with a childlike innocence that made them very appealing to all ages. However, children will probably enjoy this new version with all its the pratfalls and broad physical humor. Preceding the movie is a newly produced animated FRACTURED FAIRY TALE that is reminiscent of Jay Ward's work. Written by Bill Scott, it is clever enough for us to yearn for a higher quality feature film to follow it.
Mr. Fraser has the gentle naiveté needed for the role but there's an essential quality missing from his characterization and thus from the movie. The animated Dudley had a single-mindedness that bordered on the absurd. That element wasn't captured here which weakened the integrity of the character.
Sarah Jessica Parker (MARS ATTACKS) isn't given much to do as Nell Fenwick. Hers is a romantic decision rather than a PERILS OF PAULINE DILEMMA. Alex Rocco (JUST WRITE) has some funny moments as the chief of a native tribe of Indians (the Kumquat nation) who perform their cultural dances (ALA RIVERDANCE) for the tourists.
Alfred Molina's (CELEBRITY) Snidely Whiplash does the memory of Hans Conried, who originated the voice, proud. Adopting a sniveling, cartoon-evil voice and dressed in a black cape, stove pipe hat, and of course, the trademark curled wax mustache, he looks and sounds like Hercule Poirot's evil twin brother. Mr. Molina is having great fun playing the bad guy.
In fact, as Whiplash says, "Up until the end, being the bad guy is the best job in the world." In the end, of course, good triumphs and bad is vanquished. It's a bit of an unusual lesson to learn but we can see this truth reflected all around us. So often in life, it appears that bad men prosper.
"Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches. When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me; Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end." Psalms 73:12, 16-17 [KJV]
Their end is not pretty. Regardless of the appearances of prosperity that evildoers may have attained in this world, they are left with nothing. In contrast, those that have lived righteous lives, believing God to meet their needs and working heartily as unto the Lord, are rewarded both in this lifetime and in the life that is to come. Knowing and believing this makes our decisions between good and evil that much easier.
Michael Elliott
August 1999
http://www.christiancritic.com
Originally posted in the rec.arts.movies.reviews newsgroup. Copyright belongs to original author unless otherwise stated. We take no responsibilities nor do we endorse the contents of this review.
