Stometer Save your money for something good and enjoyable
YouHeart I gave it a 7.5 out of 10
FrogGlace In other words,this film is a surreal ride.
SnoopyStyle Randolph Smiley (Robin Williams) is the corrupt host of the kiddie show, "The Rainbow Randolph Show". The FBI catches him with a sting of him selling kids' spots on his show. The show is quickly canceled. Sleezy executive Frank Stokes (Jon Stewart) and hardened producer Nora Wells (Catherine Keener) are given the task to look for a replacement. They hire the squeaky clean Sheldon Mopes (Edward Norton) and his Smoochy the Rhino character. Mopes hires agent Burke Bennett (Danny DeVito) to get back control of his own show. Smiley works to sabotage him and retake the show.I can take a movie without laughs but this is more than that. Director Danny DeVito's aggressive style elevates the annoying aspects of kiddie TV. It's gaudy, in-your-face, and loud. There are no characters to like. Sure it's a dark comedy but I don't even care enough to want these people dead. I simply want to get away from them. It takes top level talents really going for it to drive a movie this far off the tracks. Lesser people would be stuck and stop short. This movie takes the most annoying parts and drive it right through the screen. It's not that I didn't laugh or that I got bored. I couldn't stand it and that is a great achievement.
markdaher23 This is the first time I've reviewed a film, I thought this was a great one to begin with. Im not sure how or why I missed this movie the year of its release. I don't ever seeing it playing at the cinema.Robin Williams, Edward Norton and Danny Devito?? Are you kidding me? So in saying that, when I did stumble upon it a few years ago, after first viewing i wasn't convinced i totally 'got it' in regards to the dark humor. I knew I missed something. Second viewing however, I realized it was a comedic gem, with subtle humor all the way through, and some outright hilarious scenes that are one of a kind, perfectly executed, and great acting. Robin Williams is a kids TV host and character that loses his job, for taking bribes off parents that want their kids on the show. So he gets canned, loses everything, goes nuts, everyone rejects him. Ed Norton, a rehab motivational guitar playing nice guy, gets his job as the Smoochy character, and Robin Williams wants revenge. Robin Williams plays the role of the mildly insane bad guy perfectly, just hilarious and unpredictable. The 'cookie' scene has got to be one of the greatest scenes ever. The restaurant mascot,owned by the Irish mob, is named Spinner, and is a very funny ex- boxer thats punch drunk,and every scene he is in just makes me laugh every time. All in all, great writing, great acting, and a very clever and hilarious take on the corruption in big business, but the first time I've seen it based around children's TV! I give this a solid 8, for repetitive value, uniqueness, and great writing and directing. If you have a clever sense of humor you will smile for a while after watching this movie..Enjoy!
Vivekmaru45 This is an excellent comedy film which can be enjoyed with your family and friends. Danny DeVito doesn't go overboard with the black comedy elements in the film and keeps it at a level for family viewing.This film stars DeVito along with notable actors Robin Williams and Edward Norton. The film is about "Rainbow Randolph" Smiley (Robin Williams), a happily corrupt children's television host, who is disgraced by an FBI sting for making deals with parents who want their kids on the show. He is replaced by the "squeaky clean" Sheldon Mopes (Edward Norton) and his character, Smoochy the Rhino. Thus a feud starts between the embittered, ruthless Randolph and the pacifist Sheldon. Who will emerge victorious? See the film and find out.Both Robin Williams and Edward Norton put on a show that will leave you in side-splitting laughter. Danny DeVito has a darker role in the film as Burke Bennett who is an agent with connections to Burke and Merv Green the heads of the corrupt charity. ing actors Catherine Keener and Jon Stewart also put in good performances. Danny DeVito Films To See: Romancing The Stone, Jewel Of The Nile, The War Of The Roses, Batman Returns, Renaissance Man (DeVito's best and most heartwarming film in my opinion), Twins, Throw Momma From The Train, Ruthless People(very good film). Robin William Films: Mrs. Doubtfire, Jumanji, Hook, The Fisher King, Awakenings, What Dreams May Come, Good Moring Vietnam, Bicentennial Man, Insomnia, One Hour Photo, Jack. Edward Norton Films To See: Red Dragon, Primal Fear, The Incredible Hulk(2008), American History X, The Italian Job, The Painted Veil.
ironhorse_iv Allow me to untangle this web. I don't care if Danny Devito's last movie was about jugging rubber balls for a hut full of pygmies on the outskirts of the Congo! This movie fits the bill, and you need to watch it! And that's why the rhino's going to get exactly what he deserves. Death to Smoochy is a mix of Barney the Dinosaur and over the top gangster films. Death to Smoochy is an acquired taste, that has since release, got a large cult follow. In no way is the movie perfect, this movie does take something so sacred like kid-televisions shows host, and turn it incredibly dark. Most of the characters are pretty unlikeable and mean-spirited, and their turn around to good, a bit far-fetch, but I have to say, that the movie isn't trying to be squeaky clean, it's trying to show that even the greater of good can still fall in the mud. The movie felt like a remake of 1939's Mr. Smith goes to Washington with its similar plot. The movie is about, a good-All American boy, named Sheldon Mopes AKA Smoochy (Edward Norton) who is hired by a network station to replace, corrupt children's television show host, Rainbow Randolph (Robin Williams) whom just got busted for taking bribes. It's seem like the television producers, M. Frank Stokes (Jon Stewart) & Nora Wells (Catherine Keener) charged with finding a squeaky clean replacement for Randolph, under-establish how squeaky clean, Sheldon is, as he's not willing to forsake any events that is funded by criminals such as the Parade of Hope, who hide under a charity organization. Now, Sheldon must try to keep his 'I want to do good", mentality believable, under the pressure of the harsh realism of corruption, leaded by attacks from both Rainbow Randolph, Parade of Hope, and the Network. Making a dark comedy is difficult to write, it's so easy to slip into a really depressing drama, or horror, if not handled correctly. I think the movie is well-written. It is crass, crude, and hilarious. It shows the depths of ugliness, but isn't too mean-spirited to be unlikeable. Still, whatever commentary there was supposed to be about American mass media consumerism didn't really come through right. Without the great gifted acting from both Edward Norton and Robin Williams, this movie wouldn't had work. Edward Norton's Sheldon Mopes is a lovable and friendly character that's so nice, so friendly, so naive, he played all those layers of the character so well we start to believe a guy like that can really exist! He was a bit annoying at times, but overall, he did great as the moral stone needed for this film to work. Robin Williams is just ridiculous, most of his jokes were funny as hell. This is the first role, in a long time of playing the good guy in the 1990s, that he was alright as the rude and irascible with a propensity for violence, type of a bad guy. The ing cast was just as funny as them. I love the character of Spinner Dunn (Michael Rispoli). He was such a lovable funny character. The witty one-liners, harsh physical comedy and dark, biting tone force the audience to laugh out loud while squirming in their seats. Still, it's weird that Neo-Nazis are huge fans of a cartoony rhino. The music that goes with the film is just absurd, but great to hear; "Step-father," one of Moochy's songs about being patient with mom's new husband, is pure brilliance. Even the "Friends Come in All Sizes," song by Robin William is pretty impression with the opening tap dance. The whole ice dance event toward the end was very well-done. I got buzzed off of orange juice watching it. Death to Smoochy is known for its outwardly vulgar and profane humor, particularly Williams' profound cursing outbursts throughout the film. I wouldn't say, this movie should be watch, by children, at all. It was unfair of critics to call it one of the worst of the year. Overall: Death to Smoochy is screwed up satire, but in a squeamishly delightful kind of way. Plus, for those of you who harbor a secret, pent-up, homicidal hatred of Barney, will love this movie. Death to Smoochy can't change the world but it did made a dent in some people lives. I was surprised to find that this film has so many rabid fans.
