Dragnet (1987)
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Movie Reviews of Dragnet (1987)
Movie Review: Just the facts, ma'am
Summary: 4 Stars
"Dragnet" is one of those movies I never got sick of as a kid, although it did take some growing up for me to get some of the more adult jokes ("Oh thank God...vibrator repair??"). Today, I still enjoy the hilarious banter between Dan Aykroyd as clean-cut Joe Friday, and Tom Hanks as "hipster freebird cop" Pep Streebeck. While Aykroyd has always been a comic genius, I think Hanks' slapstick talent has been underrated due to his super dramatic success. He was very funny in this film and other 80s films like "Big" and "The Money Pit."The reason I don't give "Dragnet" five stars is the story problem. About halfway through, this movie becomes a sappy mess of a love story/kidnapping plot. It shifts focus from Friday and Streebeck trailing a bevy of PAGAN incidents to Joe trying to save the virgin Connie Swail (Alexandra Paul) from the evil Reverend Jonathan Whirley (played with slime by Christopher Plummer). The romance between Joe and Connie is dull, namely because Paul can't act her way out of a paper bag in this film. But Streebeck's antics without his partner, and Plummer's grinchy grin as he attempts dastardly deeds, save the second half from total destruction.
I believe "Dragnet" is not the dud that most critics make it out to be. It has some very funny moments and some witty dialogue. But it doesn't tie the comedy and drama/action together very well. In a way, it's almost like two different movies. One is fantastic and entertaining, while the other is a bit boring.
Don't expect a glitsy DVD with bucketloads of special features. I guess Universal reserves those special editions for "higher caliber" films. But enjoy the laughs anyway. Key moments: Friday and Streebeck go undercover, the officers meet Enid Borden, a trip to the zoo, chasing Emil Muzz, and a visit to the Bait Magazine mansion.
Movie Review: Look out! Muppets!
Summary: 4 Stars
That is only one of many lines from this movie that friends of mine and I quote on a regular basis (see the movie and you'll understand it).
This was the first "summer" movie I saw back in 1987, a year that I consider to be "landmark" for me personally for many, many reasons. Regardless, I LOVED this movie. I grew up watching Dragnet TV reruns with my dad (he was a Jack Webb fan) so I had a true appreciation for this movie.
Dan Aykroyd was PERFECT as the "new" Joe Friday and he and Tom Hanks played perfectly off of one another. The always underrated Dabney Coleman was also perfectly cast as well as Christopher Plummer. Both actors play their villainous roles with the perfect mix of deviousness and tongue-in-cheek humor.
I think that's why a lot of people panned this movie. It was supposed to be a humorous take on the Dragnet series, not a direct copy or a continuation. It's a tribute film to a one-time American icon. Too many people took this film too seriously.
The plot is pretty straightforward and a bit predictable, but the dialogue and humor are top-notch. Just relax, and enjoy the film for what it is and you will come away feeling like you have just been given a treat. Not filet mignon, but a good juicy burger. That's what this movie is. Filet is the cream of the crop, but you wouldn't want to eat it every day. Even if you had a lifetime supply, you would still want that juicy burger every now and again.
Pass the A-1 and enjoy!
Movie Review: Funny, funny, funny
Summary: 4 Stars
Anyone who doesn't like this movie is suffering from the mind-altering effects of the pseudohallogenic compound Cyanigin (inside joke: get it?). With Tom Hanks, Dan Aykroyd, Christopher Plummer, (don't forget Dabney Coleman!), this movie offers a fun-filled romp through a Playboyesque mansion, a "Milk. Fresh, wholesome milk." factory, and a part of Los Angeles where it's best not to stand on the street corner at 10pm on a school night whistling.Seriously, though, this is a fun movie. While Aykroyd isn't up to par given his previous role as Dr. Raymond Stanz (late of Columbia University, currently proprieter of Ray's Occult Book Shop) in Ghostbusters ("Does this pole still work?"), he's much better than in some of his others: The Couch Trip, Sneakers, etc.
Christopher Plummer is genius, as always.
For all you law students, this movie offers a good lesson on the First Amendment, with the whole pornography/book burning thing.
Movie Review: Funny, funny, funny
Summary: 4 Stars
Anyone who doesn't like this movie is suffering from the mind-altering effects of the pseudohallogenic compound Cyanigin (inside joke: get it?). With Tom Hanks, Dan Aykroyd, Christopher Plummer, (don't forget Dabney Coleman!), this movie offers a fun-filled romp through a Playboyesque mansion, a "Milk. Fresh, wholesome milk." factory, and a part of Los Angeles where it's best not to stand on the street corner at 10pm on a school night whistling.Seriously, though, this is a fun movie. While Aykroyd isn't up to par given his previous role as Dr. Raymond Stanz (late of Columbia University) in Ghostbusters ("Does this pole still work?"), he's much better than in some of his others: The Couch Trip, Sneakers, etc.
Christopher Plummer is genius, as always.
For all you law students, this movie offers a good lesson on the First Amendment, with the whole pornography/book burning thing.
Movie Review: Still cracks me up
Summary: 4 Stars
I owned this video when it first came out in the late 80s but it has been a while since I saw it. I streamed it recently and still laughed out loud at the "Odd Couple" police team of Dan Akroyd and Tom Hanks as they try to bring down the P.A.G.A.N.s (People Against Goodness and Normalcy). This movie has it all...car chases, a virgin sacrifice, a shootout, a foul-mouthed landlady, Dabney Coleman as a Hef-esque magazine mogul, a bunch of great one-liners, and a super cheesy 80s rock/rap theme song. It is rated PG-13, but I remember seeing it much younger, there is some bad language and partial nudity, but it is still WAY better than a lot of movies these days.