Sunday, April 14, 2002

Big Trouble (IMDB) (Netflix)
A screwball comedy that needs a few more loose screws. There's sort of an "It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World" ensemble, with pairs of people (combinations of smart, dumb and romantic) trying to find a nuclear bomb (the classic comedy premise). There are some nice bits with rap/hip hoppers Omar Epps and Heavy D as atypical FBI agents, and Dennis Farina as an exasperated New Jersey hit man who can't wait to get out of town (it's set in Miami), plus Janeane Garofalo as a seen-it-all cop, but you would think that the impending explosion of a nuclear device would generate more suspense.

Not a bad film, just an under-achieving one. Expect director Barry Sonnenfield's Men In Black 2 to do better when it comes out in July.