Something smelled mousy about this film, maybe
it's the word "Rat" in the title, maybe it's the
delayed release, or maybe it's the cheesy genre of
crazy race film - you know, "It's a Madx4 World,"
"Cannonball Run." Whatever the reason, I sat down in
the theater expecting a bomb, a rat trap if you will.
Fortunately, this bomb exploded in my face with
non-stop humor (albeit corny sight gags, and
contrived contusions).
And the pace, what a pace! From beginning to end,
with only one exception the film doesn't take a
break. We follow six parties as they race from Las
Vegas to New Mexico. Their stories bump, grind and
intertwine.
Oh there's also some twisted humor by way of
mouth. Mr. Bean enters the penthouse doing a silly
sort of Peter Sellers/Roberto Benigni impression,
"This room is magnificent -- did you see this room?"
he asks to those already seated at the table. "Yes,
we're in it!" they shake their heads at him.
John Cleese (the big cheese of a gambling casino)
sets these six unrelated slot winners on a world-win
spin for a purse of 2 million bucks while his fellow
millionaires bet even bigger dollars on this
competitive bunch of knuckleheads. "A horse race with
animals that can think, plan and cheat!"
Goofy, yes; silly, yes; but funny-bone jarring
hilarious all the way up to near the end, where one
contrivance too many sets the film on a 3 minute
excursion from the fun. But with a fairly satisfying
and well-filmed climax, all is forgiven. This
audience of critics was rolling in the aisles.
I know I'll take some flack for this, but I'm
giving "Rat Race" a solid "A" for good old fashion
fun. The monster truck and Adolph Hitler scenes (to
name just two) will crack you up!
All perform well, with some excellent timing
execution in direction and screenwriting that will no
doubt go unappreciated. This is a tricky film to do
well. Bravo. (Italian Operatic music for a fouled
balloon chase - nice touch.) From the cute title
animations to the stage diving ending (Cuba gots some
moves) you'll be tickled pink.
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