1989 brings us to week 29!
I turned down:
Cheetah and The Little Mermaid
Yes I know, I turned down The Little Mermaid. I just saw Splash recently, that is one excuse. Second excuse, to be honest, I find The Little Mermaid to be a little odd. If anything had me waffling was the great score and songs by Ashman and Menken. Plus the singing voice of Jodi Benson and Sam Wright. However I stuck to my original thought and went with Honey I Shrunk The Kids. I have not watched this film in over 15 years. I was interested in how it held up. Plus, maybe I am in the minority, but I really liked Honey I Shrunk The Audience in EPCOT. Eric Idle I thought was funny and when the dog sneezed, it was gross but good for a laugh. I miss it.
Well back to the movie. For those who do not know, scientist Wayne Szalinski is inventing a miniaturization machine that he thinks will not work. His kids and the neighbor's kids find out it does work, the hard way. They end up with a crazy adventure in Wayne's back yard.
The movie holds up real well and the effects still look good. There is a lot of excitement with the kids fighting feet, insects, lawnmowers and so on. The special effects remind me a little of the film Land Of The Lost, cheesy but fun. The director, Joe Johnston, should get a lot of credit here, I imagine it is rough directing kids to act, but also to act like your an inch tall. It all seems believable. Note:Joe Johnson also directed The Rocketeer; October Sky (put this in your queue if you have never seen it, it is wonderful); and Captain America The First Avenger. So he has gone on to do wonderful work.
Fun and not so fun facts I will cover the cast:
Rick Moranis(Wayne Szalinski)- spot on as the scientist. In the late 80's early 90's he was on a roll. Spaceballs (just plain yogurt); Ghostbusters; SCTV as Bob McKenzie; Flinstones; and Parenthood to name just a few. Then, sadly his wife died of cancer. He left the business to raise his children in Canada. He does mostly voice work now and stays in Canada. Believe it or not he will be pushing 60 next year.
Marcia Strassman, who plays Wayne's wife, did a lot of tv work afterwards. Since 2006 has been mostly doing work on Broadway. She is known mostly for her work before this film as Julie Kotter on a small show called Welcome Back Kotter.
Matt Frewer, who played Russ the next door neighbor, is also known for playing the part of Max Headroom. He still does a lot of TV work.
Kristine Sutherland, plays Russ's wife, is known for playing Joyce in Buffy The Vampire Slayer.
Thomas Wilson Browne, plays Russ. He still does TV work. Nothing that stands out.
Jared Rushton, Plays Ron. Did TV work until 2000. Is now in the band Deal By Dusk. He is also known as Tom Hanks's best friend in Big.
Amy O'Neil who plays Amy. Did TV work and film and left in the mid 90's. To join Girls On Stilts. Yes, a circus act. She has performed in many places including Disneyland in California.
Robert Oliveri, who is Amy's younger brother quit the business after he did Honey I Shrunk The Audience for EPCOT.
The last fact is Chevy Chase and John Candy turned down this role. Candy recommended Moranis, his SCTV buddy.
Honey I Shrunk The Kids has some scary moment for little ones but 8 and up should be fine. Like noted before, this film held up well, and is still entertaining and fun. It has Disney written all over it. I give it 4 1/2 Mickeys out of 5. I thought while watching this film, Walt would have loved this one.
Well I am off to POP, next week I may do a short review of my trip. First time in July, so the crowds make me nervous.
Thanks as always for your time.
I turned down:
Cheetah and The Little Mermaid
Yes I know, I turned down The Little Mermaid. I just saw Splash recently, that is one excuse. Second excuse, to be honest, I find The Little Mermaid to be a little odd. If anything had me waffling was the great score and songs by Ashman and Menken. Plus the singing voice of Jodi Benson and Sam Wright. However I stuck to my original thought and went with Honey I Shrunk The Kids. I have not watched this film in over 15 years. I was interested in how it held up. Plus, maybe I am in the minority, but I really liked Honey I Shrunk The Audience in EPCOT. Eric Idle I thought was funny and when the dog sneezed, it was gross but good for a laugh. I miss it.
Well back to the movie. For those who do not know, scientist Wayne Szalinski is inventing a miniaturization machine that he thinks will not work. His kids and the neighbor's kids find out it does work, the hard way. They end up with a crazy adventure in Wayne's back yard.
The movie holds up real well and the effects still look good. There is a lot of excitement with the kids fighting feet, insects, lawnmowers and so on. The special effects remind me a little of the film Land Of The Lost, cheesy but fun. The director, Joe Johnston, should get a lot of credit here, I imagine it is rough directing kids to act, but also to act like your an inch tall. It all seems believable. Note:Joe Johnson also directed The Rocketeer; October Sky (put this in your queue if you have never seen it, it is wonderful); and Captain America The First Avenger. So he has gone on to do wonderful work.
Fun and not so fun facts I will cover the cast:
Rick Moranis(Wayne Szalinski)- spot on as the scientist. In the late 80's early 90's he was on a roll. Spaceballs (just plain yogurt); Ghostbusters; SCTV as Bob McKenzie; Flinstones; and Parenthood to name just a few. Then, sadly his wife died of cancer. He left the business to raise his children in Canada. He does mostly voice work now and stays in Canada. Believe it or not he will be pushing 60 next year.
Marcia Strassman, who plays Wayne's wife, did a lot of tv work afterwards. Since 2006 has been mostly doing work on Broadway. She is known mostly for her work before this film as Julie Kotter on a small show called Welcome Back Kotter.
Matt Frewer, who played Russ the next door neighbor, is also known for playing the part of Max Headroom. He still does a lot of TV work.
Kristine Sutherland, plays Russ's wife, is known for playing Joyce in Buffy The Vampire Slayer.
Thomas Wilson Browne, plays Russ. He still does TV work. Nothing that stands out.
Jared Rushton, Plays Ron. Did TV work until 2000. Is now in the band Deal By Dusk. He is also known as Tom Hanks's best friend in Big.
Amy O'Neil who plays Amy. Did TV work and film and left in the mid 90's. To join Girls On Stilts. Yes, a circus act. She has performed in many places including Disneyland in California.
Robert Oliveri, who is Amy's younger brother quit the business after he did Honey I Shrunk The Audience for EPCOT.
The last fact is Chevy Chase and John Candy turned down this role. Candy recommended Moranis, his SCTV buddy.
Honey I Shrunk The Kids has some scary moment for little ones but 8 and up should be fine. Like noted before, this film held up well, and is still entertaining and fun. It has Disney written all over it. I give it 4 1/2 Mickeys out of 5. I thought while watching this film, Walt would have loved this one.
Well I am off to POP, next week I may do a short review of my trip. First time in July, so the crowds make me nervous.
Thanks as always for your time.