NOTHING BUT TROUBLE (1991)

 

Directed By: Dan Aykroyd  Written By: Dan Aykroyd & Peter Aykroyd  Cinematography: Dean Cundey  Editor: Malcolm Campbell & James R. Symons 

Cast: Chevy Chase, Demi Moore, Dan Aykroyd, John Candy, Taylor Negron, Raymond J. Barry, Brian Doyle Murray, Daniel Baldwin, Valri Bromfield, digital underground 

A financier agrees to take the lawyer to her business meeting. On the way, they run a stop sign in a small town in the middle of nowhere and are arrested. But all is not as it seems: the courthouse and the "prison" are a maze of zany booby- traps and deadly contraptions. The antics of the captured couple as they try to escape from the mad judge and his bizarre family make up the rest of this unusual film.

This film should be a cult classic for all the craziness all around. That if someone remade it and could make it work it would be noteworthy. 

This is what happens when writer/director/ star Dan Aykroyd is let loose. As there are no Kenny if ideas all around and set pieces plus room for broad comedy. That stays outrageous and yet is never quite funny and ruthlessly mean-spirited. Though considering the cast this should be much better

Chevy chase seems like he just showed up and is discovering everything as if it was the first time. He seems uncomfortable and tired. As his behavior doesn’t Really match the Tone of the film. It’s bad enough but he seems like he is going to be the one who sinks it.

Demi Moore seems here to be the beautiful damsel in distress. Not to mention the eye candy. She seems more the big named co-Star female lead and a bombshell in her tiny wardrobe.

John candy seems more embarrassed. Like he only did this as a favor and a hefty paycheck. Dan Aykroyd seems to be the only one really into this movies wavelength and his character

The hip hop group Digital Underground comes out of nowhere to cameo and add an impromptu music performance.

The film comes off as a violent live-action cartoon. That literally has a cartoon-type ending. That is gruesome yet tries to stay somewhat light hearted

I am not the biggest fan of Chevy chase and once again seems on autopilot or not engaged. He actually hurts the film. As not being engaging or interesting. She is barely a character.

This film is grotesque even when it doesn’t need to be. It’s hard to believe. Especially with a healthy budget. Other than cast and elaborate set design and sets being built to the judge's house.

Though should have known that other than the stars this film is Amy for mainstream audiences no matter how broad it plays.

This could have been salvaged artistically. If maybe a More experienced director took hold. Who also would have known to work on the script and make the film appealing in some sort of way. Not totally gross out the audience for a comedy.

This film plays like an extremely first draft. No one puts in any energy or excitement except Dan Aykroyd. Whose comedy can be a fun experiment (DOCTOR DETRIOT) crashes and burns (NEIGHBORS) or works with collaboration (GHOSTBUSTERS) here this was a doomed project that might have had a chance with a more gothic dark visual stylist like Tim Burton.

Can’t even give the film credit for being artistically weird it on another level it’s just sloppy. Even with an amazing production design by William Sandell. That is a messed up playground in hell all Its own. has the scope of a bigger film. Yet the mindset of a smaller one. As the film is pretty bad but inspired and original. 

The film is too dark to be so Goofy. It would have been more effective if allowed to go to a full R-Rated as it would feel more dangerous instead of the sanitized PG-13.

At least the film gave Digital underground a hit for the soundtrack. This might be one of the few successful things to come from this movie.

As well as the big screen debut of Rapper/Actor Tupac Shakur. 

GRADE: F