Blankman (1994)

Dreadfully Boring

Yes, absolutely, there is fun to be had, as well as many, many things to go boom, all amid an atmospheric urban jungle.

It's simply great fun, a winsome film and an occasionally over-the-top luxury fantasy that never flags.

Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable

Wayans is a talent, that's for sure. I really like his sense of humor, which is smartly cheap, but doesn't constitute for good comedy, but I guess, wasn't really meant to. You can like it or lump it. This one really has it's moments, that's for sure, and even though he's a writer, mate, don't forget, Wayans can act. As the film's title character, he and his brother (David Allen Grier, a very underrated actor) have watched the caped crusader one two many times, where Wayan's virginal character, has really never grown out of this phase or grown up. He invents a lot of smart crap, out of cheap stuff, including a robot, you kind of feel embarrassed to have around the house. I loved his means of transport, something you've just gotta see, that takes him to his private crib of junk. When it city is ruled by these nasties who take the life of their grandmother, a victim of a small slaughter in a campaign office, this coaxes Wayans' to take his fictional hero out onto the street with contagiously amusing results. Sexy reporter Robin Givens, and god, she is sexy falls for Blankman, where Grier who works with her has been trying to get into her pants, while also trying to reach a higher status of employment. The face of the mayor who explosively buys it in another scene, sticks out like a sore thumb, as that actor from that film, RUN, where this is one of few comedies which does have a bit of a body count. Jason Alexander was good as Grier and Givens boss, again diabolical and bad to the core. And I must say the Blankman tune was catchy, but again I said the slightly dry film, suffers from it's cheap comedy treatment, where even though it is funny and smart, it doesn't make for good comedy, but laughs abound for Wayons's fans, and his character, he portrays all so fantastically.

I found the character a bit annoying. The voice and the over the top awkwardness mostly.On the bright side, the story was cute. Basically, a super hero parody, but on the light side. An event in the awkward and geeky Darrel's (sp?) life made him want to make a difference in the world. A lab accident led to a formula which made him somewhat indestructible.Where the movie shined, was in some pretty good comic moments. The rorshach test was funny. There was a scene I am pretty sure was stolen from Live and Let Die, where the voodoo guy comes out of the ground. Just to name some.There are better superhero movies. Some of the humor falls flat, or is cliché. The movie lacks focus at times, as another reviewer pointed out.But if you want a mindless tribute to Batman (the campy TV version,) and like movie on the light hearted side, you might like this one. Very little mean humor, swearing, adult and potty humor, which in itself, is refreshing (I like that stuff from time to time, but I also like it when a movie makes do without it for a change of pace.)

My brother wanted to see this, mistakenly thinking this would be a good movie. Let's just say that it is not. We actually wasted 7 bucks each to see this in the theater during its two-week run! Ouuuch! Yeah, it's kind of embarrassing, but I had to admit it. I didn't even realize that this was Greg Kinnear's (rather inauspicious) film debut. I'm sure he'd like this one deleted off his resume! As well as Jon Polito, playing yet another version of his stereotypical mobster character that he first portrayed so well in MILLER'S CROSSING (1988). I already know from an interview he did on NPR that Damon Wayans would like to have this one back. He said it began with the "Handyman" character he did on the show "In Living Color" and somehow got metamorphosed into...this.Let me make this clear: I did not laugh once during this entire 79-minute piece of crap. Even the movie's short length was not enough to save it. Or watch it. I guess the only good thing about this movie is that it put the final nail in the coffin of Robin Givens' film career. I have nothing against her, and God knows she suffered being married to Mike Tyson, but a film actress she is not. Sorry! Speaking of which, if you actually watch this movie, you will be sorry for having wasted 79 minutes of your life cringing at the embarrassing gyrations of the nerdy character played by Damon Wayans.

I remember that I wanted to see this film when it was first released, I realized that it looked very dumb, but nonetheless, I wanted to see it. So I finally got around to renting this film and I thought it was hilarious!!!The film is loaded with great jokes and very clean jokes (well, most of them). Damon Wayans was hilarious throughout the film, as was David Alan Grier, and their relationship and chemistry on film was excellent! Robin Givens looked fantastic throughout the film and does a fine acting job as well. Jason Alexander and Jon Polito were very good as well, although I have to say it was very odd seeing Jason Alexander with a shaved head.Anyhow, if you liked the film "Mystery Men", then you really ought to like this film. If you watch this film, don't take it seriously, keep in mind that this is a super-hero spoof. I truly hope you enjoy the film as much as I did. Thanks for reading,-Chris