MEMOIRS OF AN INVISIBLE MAN
A film review by Mark Santora
Copyright 1992 Mark Santora
The teaming up of John Carpenter and Chevy Chase, sounds interesting, doesn't it? Well, I was uniquely intrigued. I am not a very big Chevy Chase fan. But, because I am a very big fan of Mr. Carpenter's work, I decided that I would give the film a chance. Here are my findings.
First, this is not a typical John Carpenter film. There are no underlying messages in the film. There are no clever subtexts for the audience to wrestle with. I must admit, it threw me. But as soon as I realized that the film was simply for enjoyment, I started to get into the film.
I must admit, although Chevy Chase's recent films have recently made me quite weary of him, this should do a great deal to revitalize his carrer. First, he plays the movie straight. Granted, he should have been doing this years ago, but the film benefits from it. Of course, playing an invisible man, Chevy gets to walk and bump into things for a little slapstick. But it is part of the film's natural progress.
Here is a quick plot summary. Chevy Chase plays an investment banker who meets Daryl Hannah one night. They hit it off. Anyway, after she leaves, he gets drunk. The next morning he has a lecture to attend. When he arrives hung over, he goes to find a bathroom. Chevy falls asleep in a sauna. An accident makes the science lab loose control over their machinery and causes portions of the building to appear invisible. This is a *great* effect, from the fun guys at ILM. Anyway, when some CIA guys find out about him, headed by Sam Neill, they instantly start out after him.
The effects are good. The mirror images of Chevy are not overused in an attempt to make him appear invisible (oxymoron). John Carpenter's direction is again top-notch. I believe that this is his biggest studio film since BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA (a personal favorite).
Okay. Final thoughts. This is a good film. We are not talking Oscar time here, but this is worth your look. Out of 10, I rate it a 7.
How I scale things:
1. Save your money.
2. Not worth the rental.
3. There are better student films.
4. Stupid, with few redeeming qualities.
5. Watchable without blowing chunks.
6. You could do worse, 1-4.
7. Worth the money
8. Really good.
9. Excellent.
10. MUST SEE.
-there aren't a lot of these...
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