Sigh.
I wanted to like this one. I really did. It started off strongly - the menu art for the Blu-Ray was cool and definitely gave me hope. I tweeted that I was watching it and got a bunch of positive responses. My husband, who watched it with me, was practically giddy.
The clothes were great - SUPER 80s and the dialogue was really kitschy. All things I like.
But something just wasn't right. I can't quite put my finger on it, but throughout the whole movie I found myself just plain BORED.
I think the thing that kinda left me with a bad taste in my mouth was just how desperately this movie wanted to be "The Goonies." At the time, I'm sure people ate it up. It came out about 2 years after "The Goonies," so I assume enough time had gone by that people were ready for a Volume 2. But everything just felt flat and sub-par, especially in comparison. The Corey Feldman character, the "Chunk" character and others all just felt like "poor mans" versions. The dialogue got old after about 15 minutes. The costumes - wow did those not have lasting power. It all just seemed so....trite. I hate that word, but it's the only one I can think of to properly express. I felt like it REALLY REALLY REALLY wanted me to like it and to think it was cute and funny. But I really just felt it came up short.
This is the first movie I've watched for this blog that gave me the sense that I needed to have watched it as a kid to really enjoy it. If I saw it in 1987 when it was released, I'd probably watch it now and LOVE it. But since I also watched the Goonies recently, I found myself comparing the two, and every time this one lost.
Sorry, world. This one's not for me.
1.5 stars out of 5.
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Don't feel too bad. This somehow eluded my childhood as well and when I finally caught it last year, I thought it was cute, but not something I'd revisit anytime soon. It's definitely one to grow up fondly with, but if you didn't, it's just okay.
ReplyDeleteThis is one i really really like, but i am firmly in the "saw it as a kid, refuse to watch it with critical eyes now" camp.
ReplyDeleteChildhood love compounded with the film's unavailability (in a legit format)for years made this go from a cute flick from the past to cult classic pretty quickly.
When i watch it now i can definitely see the flaws and weaknesses of the film, especially in comparison to something like the Goonies, but i still dig it. A Lot.
I remember seeing it as a kid, but I had to go find some clips of it to truly refresh my memory.
ReplyDeleteI didnt watch this until I got the DVD and I loved it. Not saying you should like it. Just wanted to dispel the "had to see it as a kid" theory.
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