Dudley Do-Right Review
by Frankie Paiva (swpstke AT aol DOT com)September 21st, 1999
Dudley Do-Right (PG) No Stars
Starring Brendan Fraser, Alfred Molina
Directed by Hugh Wilson
A Review by Frankie Paiva
There are many types of children's films. Some are designed to entertain the parent while enchanting the child as well, some are targeted straight for the kiddies and avoid any chance of good entertainment for adults, and there are some (much like Dudley Do-Right) that manage to turn off both groups because it's incredibly bad. Sticking straighter to the formula than I thought possible, Brendan Fraser returns as a 60s cartoon character in the worst remake of the year.
Dudley (Fraser) has always dreamed of being a Canadian Mountie, the dim-witted fellow finally gets his wish and begins to govern the sweet mountain town of Semi-Happy Valley. When Snidley Whiplash (Molina) decides to dump gold that he stole from a bank, into the town stream and declare a gold rush to help bring profit to the town, Dudley must step forward and save the day. It's also a quest for his true love, somehow Nell (Sarah Jessica Parker) has fallen into the wrong man's arms and it's Dudley's duty to save her.
Confused as Whiplash changes his role from good guy to bad guy (?) Dudley turns into a bad guy because as the narrator points out, good guys can do bad things to capture bad people (?.) It all leads to a final showdown between the Mounties and the Whiplash bunch.
First of all, the film as a star vehicle for Brendan Fraser does not work. Both him and Sarah Jessica Parker have less screen time than Snidley Whiplash combined and Dudley says no more than 200 words. The narrator is also annoying, constantly interacting with the characters (ala George of the Jungle anyone?) and making stupid comments. The film also manages to be flat out not funny, none of the jokes made even the nine year old with her Beanie Babies next to me laugh. Now I could go on and on about how America is being shoveled this mainstream trash and how the public eats it up, but I'll save some time for us all by giving Dudley Do-Right no stars whatsoever.
ADDITIONAL NOTE: There is one portion of the film, 8 seconds to be exact that contains a joke worth seeing, I will now save you the $7.50 admission ticket: "Scientists report today that Canadian bacon is actually ham."
The Young-Uns: The film is aimed right at kids and contains mild language and some bare male chests. Good Age: 5-11
A Review by Frankie Paiva
The 12 Year-Old Movie Reviewer
E-Mail me at [email protected]
Visit my website at: http://expage.com/page/teenagemoviecritic
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.
