Strange Brew (1983)

Very good movie overall, highly recommended. Most of the negative reviews don't have any merit and are all pollitically based. Give this movie a chance at least, and it might give you a different perspective.

One of the most extraordinary films you will see this year. Take that as you want.

It is neither dumb nor smart enough to be fun, and spends way too much time with its boring human characters.

The best films of this genre always show a path and provide a takeaway for being a better person.

Comedy legends Dave Thomas and Rick Moranis bring their lovable, beer-guzzling, very Canadian dolts to the big screen in this very funny vehicle for Bob & Doug. They were riding high after the success of the characters on the 'SCTV' show and the Great White North album, and devised this very amusing script, which they devised with future director Steve De Jarnatt ("Cherry 2000", "Miracle Mile"), a fairly subtle goof on "Hamlet", of all things. Ultimately, they decided on directing the movie themselves.Bob & Doug manage to get jobs at Elsinore brewery, and don't let their lack of wits stop them from trying to save the day when diabolical brewmeister Smith (the great Max von Sydow, in the mightiest role of his career) intends to manipulate scores of beer drinkers by putting a drug in the brew. They encounter former hockey player Jean LaRose (Canadian character actor Angus MacInnes, who played Gold Leader in "Star Wars"), who falls in love with Pam Elsinore (lovely Lynne Griffin of "Black Christmas" fame), the young lady who's legally inherited the brewery.Yes, "Strange Brew" does lag at times, but the good news is that there is always another inspired bit of lunacy around the corner, as Thomas and Moranis gleefully leave reality FAR behind and turn the adventures of Bob & Doug into a sort of live action cartoon. In addition to von Sydow, they also enlisted the services of another legend, voice-over artist Mel Blanc, who provides the voice of Bob & Doug's dad. The excellent Paul Dooley ("Breaking Away") rounds out the main players as Pam's nefarious but bumbling uncle Claude.This picture really is a beauty, eh. You can't get more Canadian than having hockey, toques, beer, back bacon, and a dog named Hosehead in your story. It gets off to a wonderful start by putting a fresh spin on MGM's famous logo sequence, and having Bob & Doug premiere their micro budget end of the world saga in a theatre to a flurry of negative responses. The effects are often quite cheesy, but in a largely harmless lark like this, that hardly matters.Are you still reading this, hosehead? Take off! Go see the movie, eh.Eight out of 10.

Great movie, a true classic. Hockey, beer, sausages, and a flying dog. What's not to love.

Lovable beer-swilling hosers Bob (likable Rick Moranis) and Doug McKenzie (the equally engaging Dave Thomas) have to stop the evil Brewmeister Smith (smoothly played with lip-smacking wicked relish by Max Von Sydow) from succeeding with his diabolical plan to take over the world with drugged mind-controlling beer. Writers/directors Thomas and Moranis amiably mine an amusing line in hysterically silly and harmless good-natured humor, with the best and most inspired jokes sweetly poking fun at movie clichés and conventions. Moreover, Thomas and Moranis display an utterly winning easy'n'breezy natural chemistry as our endearingly lunkheaded protagonists. The rest of the game cast has a ball with the zany material: Lynne Griffin contributes a charming turn as the bubbly, yet feisty Pam Elsinore, Paul Dooley does well as the smarmy Claude Elsinore, and Angus MacInnes makes a favorable impression as friendly and heroic hockey player Jean LaRose. Favorite gags: A lawyer beats up a bunch of pesky reporters with fancy karate moves and the McKenzie Brothers dog Hosehead flies to the rescue at the end. Charles Fox's dynamic score hits the spirited melodramatic spot. Steven Poster's sharp cinematography provides a neat polished look. An enjoyably dumb hoot.

This is one of the greatest movies ever made, bottom line. Steange Brew is one of the few true slapstick comedies made in a long time. The plot really isn't important. It's so far-fetched, it works hand in hand with the movie.This film has some of the best one liners, sight gags, and even features the late great Mel Blanc as the voice of Bob and Doug's father. How can you not love a dog that drinks beer, and suddenly gets the ability to fly. What asylum has it's own hockey rink, complete with overhead sound. Let's not forget that the hockey players all wear outfits that seem more fit for Battlestar Glactica then anything else.Also, this film features the great Max Von Sydow as brewmiester Smith, the Evil beer brewer. He tackles the role with such greatness, it shows that he's truly enjoying every single second of it.Now for the spoiler. The fire department can't reach the burning asylum in time, so it's up to ..... Bob to save the day by.... peeing on the building! You have to see the movie to see why that happens. And besides, him peeing isn't even the funniest parts of the scene. With his brother standing by his side while he pees (and commenting "beauty") the fire Marshal, impressed by the work, ever offers Bob a job with the fire department!!!! You've got to see this movie, hoser!