FLIPPER
A film review by Michael John Legeros
Copyright 1996 Michael John Legeros
(Universal)
Directed by Alan Shapiro
Written by Alan Shaprio, based on the television series
Cast Elijah Wood, Paul Hogan, Chelsea Field, and Jessica
Wesson
MPAA Rating "PG"
Running Time 97 minutes
==
We lasted thirty minutes in this one. FLIPPER is what I call a "cinematic black hole," a film so utterly flat-- so completely non- compelling-- that almost nothing escapes from the screen for the audience to connect with. As a teenager spending the summer with his Florida fisherman uncle, Elijah Wood (THE WAR) is a comatose kid walking. He speaks without a hint of inflection in his voice and barely animates the muscles in his face. What, was he afraid to outperform the fish? Or did he learn a little too much from his WAR co-star Kevin Costner? Paul Hogan isn't much better. The Aussie actor displays about, oh, one-tenth of the screen charisma that he brought to the role of "Crocodile" Dundee. The minimalist plot has something to do with a dolphin, a hurricane, and a Red Hot Chili Peppers concert. Oh yeah, and we heard the word "dioxin" mentioned. For those kids who have never seen underwater footage nor visited an aquarium nor vacationed at Sea World, FLIPPER might be worth a watch. As for the rest of the western world... well, I can't think of a single reason to sit through this movie.
Grade: W/O (walked out)
--
Mike Legeros - Raleigh, NC
legeros@nando.net (h) - legeros@unx.sas.com (w)
Visit me in MOVIE HELL
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