Believe it or not there are films in the 800+ DVD collection that I haven't seen before, be it my wife's contribution, my kids contribution or just a film I have always wanted to watch and never got around to. Here we come to the first film in the journey that I had yet to watch, Airheads.
This 90's juvenile comedy does exactly what it says on the tin. The early 90's was a era for a lot of such films, moving on from the coming of age John Hughes filled 80's era and into the less serious more humorous early 90's grunge era. Where as John Hughes had made 'alternative geek' cool, there was the inevitable back lash and new alternative in that it was now cool to be a rocker or grunge fan. Music and fashion have a way of reinventing and reproducing old era's with film being no different in that respect. Each reinvention being an alternative to the one before, so on and so on.
There is a saying, 'If it's too loud you're too old' - Chazz (Brendan Fraser)
This is an ode to the rock era, soft rock is no longer considered cool, Pop and Rave had made sure of that. So in step 'The Lone Rangers' to save the day, that's right, they pluralised the Lone Ranger. I am sure at the time this film would have been a welcomed break from the 80's and early dance culture 90's, with the closest comparison being the iconic 'Wayne's World' released a couple of years previous.
There aren't any hidden layers, hidden moral angles or defining life changing aspects to the film. But then does every movie need to be that way, should every film have a defining moral or life changing aspect to be classed as a good film? Sometimes audiences just need mindless fun viewing and this will certainly deliver that for you.
KPPX Rebel Radio 103.6FM - Ian (Joe Mantegna)
The film opens with Chazz (Brendan Fraser) breaking into a record labels offices to ensure that someone will listen to his demo and really how far will they go to get their sound out there. The montage of him evading building security culminating in his confrontation with a music producer/manager Jimmie Wing played by none other than an 80's 'Hughes' icon, Judd Nelson. Coincidence or stroke of genius, I will let you decide on that one. Straight off the bat you can tell the era, it certainly has the feel of a 90's movie that is trying to reinvent what worked in the decade previous but not reproduce it to closely. You can see the era in the image of the band, a cross between Bon Jovi, Pearl Jam and Red Hot Chilli Peppers.
Chazz, (Brendan Fraser) is the difacto leader who pushes the group to seek success and rock n roll riches. Fraser is actually very good in this film I have to say, whilst I do like some of the films he is in, I have never really been inammered by his acting abilities. In this I actually saw glimpses of someone who could have become a really good actor, its just a shame he didn't develop into that promise.
You look like half a butt puppet - Chazz (Brendan Fraser)
The other two members of the band Rex (Steve Buscemi) and Pip (Adam Sandler) are the hot head reactionary and follow on quiet ladies man respectively. Sandler is very fresh faced and at the beginning of his breakout comedy career. He demonstrates why he was ready to move into his own lead role films that made him so senonemous with the mid to late 90's. In this Sandler is very understated but does deliver the standout comedy moments of the film. In this Buscemi is really just standard Buscemi, reliable and able to deliver comedy scripts like no other. His appearance in this is straight off the back of the release of Pulp Fiction and two years after Resevoir Dogs, which gives his performance the freedom to enjoy his work and that definitely shows in this film.
With an ensemble cast of actors you will have seen in so many other films you can see they were clearly all keen to be part of something fresh, and quite frankly why not. Whilst the script is nothing to rave about, the directing wouldn't win any accolades and there are no Oscar winning performances this is still a good film that entertains from start to finish. Would I say I thoroughly enjoyed it? No, I personally thought it was ok, but I have never been a fan of this type of film, I need a film that has a bit more depth to it and that makes you think. If I want something mindless to watch I will go down the action route every time. That being said I can see the merits of this film, I was entertained and can see that it would be popular with many audiences.
Play the thing D cheese - Chazz (Brendan Fraser)
From the rock grunge soundtrack to the era appropriate jokes and references, it does keep you entertained right to the end. However, one joke I did find a bit to close to the mark is a reference to Rodney King and him being 'that guy' when chanting his name at the police, bare in mind I am making this statement a further 25 years on from the Rodney King incident. Following on very soon after this is an arrest the black man gag which clearly is a continuation of this theme.
The only real disappointment I had with the film was the ending, if the song you finally hear of 'The Lone Rangers' was in fact either any good or on the joking side then I would have accepted it, but unfortunately it's neither of these. But I suggest you make your own judgement on that and the film as a whole.
This is one you definitely need to check out yourself.
Farquaad's Score: 3 Stars or 6/10
IMDB: 6.1/10 (43,648)
Metascore: 46 (18 Critic Reviews)
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