SPACEBALLS
A film review by Craig Good
Copyright 1987 Craig Good
Gary Rydstrom, the talented sound designer who did "Luxo Jr." for us, told me about his plans to record some laughing children for our next film. He said it was going to be easy to make the whole day care center giggle: just say "underpants." I can't help but feel that Mel Brooks is just as easy to amuse. The best part of the dull HISTORY OF THE WORLD PART I was the trailer for JEWS IN SPACE. I had hopes that SPACEBALLS would live up to that promise.
Naaa. This STAR WARS parody is mostly wee-wee poo-poo jokes. Mind you, there are some very funny bits and I did laugh out loud several times. Rick Moranis is hilarious as Dark Helmet, and John Candy has some choice moments. There are flashes of comic genius which can almost make you believe this film was made by the same man who brought you YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN. One measure of a movie is how far you get from the theatre before thinking about something else. I couldn't think about anything but THE UNTOUCHABLES for a week after seeing it, but SPACEBALLS barely made it to the parking lot.
I can't send anybody out of their way to see this one. If you are an avid Brooks fan (or someone who laughs whenever you hear "underpants"), go right ahead. Or better yet wait for home video. It shouldn't be a long wait. If you do see it I'm sure you'll at least enjoy the sound design. Gary Rydstrom worked on SPACEBALLS too.
--Craig
...{ucbvax,sun}!pixar!good
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