150 Movies You Should Die Before You See - Miller Steve [69]
PRODUCERS Bill Carraro (executive producer), Arnon Milchan and Gavin Polone (producers)
WRITER Don Payne
DIRECTOR Ivan Reitman
STARS Luke Wilson (Matt Saunders), Uma Thurman (Jenny Johnson/ G-Girl), Eddie Izzard (Barry/Professor Bedlam), Rainn Wilson (Vaughn Haige), and Anna Faris (Hannah Lewis)
When Matt (Wilson) dumps his superhero girlfriend, G-Girl (Thurman) because she's too jealous, she starts destroying his life and career out of revenge. When her archnemesis and spurned high-school boyfriend, Professor Bedlam (Izzard), approaches him with a scheme to eliminate G-Girl's superpowers, things only get worse.
Why It Sucks
Part superhero spoof, part romantic comedy, this must have seemed like a really good idea to someone. Unfortunately, it's not a particularly funny spoof, and the romance lacks heart and conviction. The characters are shallow and stereotypical and give about as much effort to their parts as the writers gave to the script. You can imagine everyone sighing with relief at the wrap as they collect their paychecks and walk away from this turkey.
Thumbs Down Rating:
The Crappies
The Worst Script Award goes to … Don Payne. Of all the characters, only Professor Bedlam has the tinest bit of texture to him.
And the Worst Actress Award goes to … Anna Faris for giving a performance even less interesting and engaging than her character's role in the story.
They Really Said It!
Professor Bedlam: Kill? I didn't say “kill.” I said “neutralize.” It's a neutral word, like Switzerland.
Betcha Didn't Know
Although best known for comedies, Ivan Reitman started his career by producing horror films (like David Cronenberg's Shivers) and sleazy exploitation films (like Ilsa: The Tigress of Siberia).
Ivan Reitman was the first Canadian convicted under Canada's indecency laws in 1971 for producing an adult comedy titled The Columbus of Sex.
Trivia Quiz
Which of the following Ivan Reitman — directed films did not feature Arnold Schwarzenegger?
A: Junior (1994)
B: Father's Day (1997)
C: Twins (1988)
D: Kindergarten Cop (1990)
Answer: B. Schwarzeneggar starred in three comedies directed by Reitman, but Father's Day wasn't one of them.
SGT. KABUKIMAN, N.Y.P.D.
Namco Ltd./Troma Entertainment, 1990
PRODUCERS Tetsu Fujimura and Masaya Nakamura (executive producers), Michael Herz and Lloyd Kaufman (producers)
WRITERS Lloyd Kaufman, Andrew Osborne, and Jeffrey W. Sass (script), Lloyd Kaufman (story), Fumio Furuya and Satoshi Kitahara (original characters)
DIRECTORS Michael Herz and Lloyd Kaufman
STARS Rick Gianasi (Harry Griswold/Sgt. Kabukiman), Susan Byun (Lotus), Bill Weeden (Reginald Stuart/the Evil One), and Thomas Crnkovich (Rembrandt)
After he becomes host to an ancient Kabuki spirit, Detective Harry Griswold (Gianasi) finds himself with a new calling in life and even stranger new superpowers. But can the lovely Lotus (Byun) convince Griswold of his new responsibilities before the Evil One (Weeden) brings an ancient prophecy to pass?
Why It Sucks
Sgt. Kabukiman, N.Y.P.D. is split between the usual Troma R-rated off-color humor and a PG-13 approach. But although it's technically one of Lloyd Kaufman's best pictures — he actually had a budget for special effects this time — his attempt to be both mild and spicy means it ends up being mostly bland.
Thumbs Down Rating:
The Crappies
The Worst Picture Award goes to … Michael Herz and Lloyd Kaufman for failing to deliver on what could have been Troma's ticket to a wider audience.
And the Worst Auteur Award goes to … Lloyd Kaufman for not having the sense to refrain from including his hallmark headcrushing and off-color humor. It feels forced here, especially during the film's climax.
They Really Said It!
Harry Griswold [narrating]: I was depressed, I was confused, and I was turning Japanese!
Betcha Didn't Know
Although completed in 1990, the film was only shown at film festivals for several years. The distribution deal with investor Namco fell through after the company was unhappy with the final product.