Big Trouble

film review by Frank Ochieng

Date Released: 04/05/2002

Rated: PG-13 (for crude humor, questionable language and sex-related material)

Film Length: 94 Minutes

Produced by: Barry Sonnenfeld, Tom Jacobson, Barry Josephson

Directed by: Barry Sonnenfeld

Cast: Tim Allen, Stanley Tucci, Rene Russo, Dennis Farina, Janeane Garofalo, Johnny Knoxville, Tom Sizemore, Ben Foster, Jason Lee, Zooey Deschanel, Omar Epps, Patrick Warburton Sofia Vergara, Dwight Heavy D Myers

Distributor: Touchstone Pictures

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Frank's film tip: Barry Sonnenfeld is in "Big Trouble" with his zany yet lame "Get Shorty"-esque farce that plays for scattered, nonsensical chuckles
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In the agonizing and scattershot farce "Big Trouble", director Barry Sonnenfeld tries desperately to adapt humorist Dave Barry's punchy and knee-slapping novel to the big screen. Instead, Sonnenfeld manages to translate the irreverency of Barry's riotous writing style into a flat and manic cinematic version of his previous mob-related sardonic hit "Get Shorty". "Big Trouble" is nothing more than a needlessly hysterical and haughty comedy that boasts a who's who of players that no one can really care less about. Sonnenfeld's story is so convoluted and erratic that the film's ensemble cast simply goes through the motions in an effort to generate some genuinely cheap laughs in this tiresome rowdy gagfest.

"Big Trouble's" release was postponed last fall due to the devastating atrocities the rocked the nation on September 11, 2001. Somehow showcasing a comedy that relies heavily on bombs and airplane security during the real-life terrorist attacks definitely wouldn't make for ideal light-hearted havoc even if it is just fantasy-based. Because much of "Big Trouble" is geared toward the touchy subject matter that recalls the 9/11 nightmare, it is quite understandable that filmmakers chose to unleash this vehicle months later. And now that the mayhem of "Big Trouble" is here for everyone to endure, the question remains: what other excuse could we have used to withhold this kooky and careless exorcise from our senses?

For those who choose to follow the heavy-handed and absurd proceedings, here's the deal: Florida-based ad man Eliot Arnold (Tim Allen) is the divorced father of a hyperactive son named Matt (Ben Foster) who gets a perverse kick out of playing a high school spray gun game by squirting moving targets, most notably Jenny Herk (Zooey Deschanel). While Jenny is busy dodging water bullets from schoolmates, her stepfather Arthur (Stanley Tucci) is ironically trying to avoid "real" bullets from two hapless mafia hitmen (Dennis Farina and Jack Kehler) that are out to tame his hide. Arthur is one piece of work. His wife, Anna (Rene Russo), has grown tired of Arthur's antics and now has found comfort in the arms of dependable Eliot.

And now, the introduction of the so-called mysterious suitcase should be injected into the mix. Good ol' greedy Arthur wanted to get his hands on that case but never had the time to concentrate on it thanks to the deadly duo constantly tracking him down. To add insult to injury, a couple of cretins (Tom Sizemore and Johnny Knoxville) end up stealing this precious case and as a result they end up with the authorities on their trail. Gaining on Sizemore and Knoxville's crooks are a pair of clueless Miami cops (Janeane Garofalo and Patrick Warburton) and two FBI agents ("Heavy D" Myers and Omar Epps). Eventually, this hectic chase ends up unraveling in sheer nutty chaos at the airport. In the meanwhile, a drifting outsider (Jason Lee) happens to be enjoying his front row seat to the whole mess that's unfolding before his (and our) very own eyes.

"Big Trouble" is one of those great big silly capers that fails at juggling its dark humor while feeling cutesy in its ability to dance around the plot contrivances. Sonnenfeld ("Men In Black") tries to spin the web of intrigue by conjuring up outrageous circumstances and the outlandish characters who get caught up in the moment, but the whole movie's premise feels so synthetic and clumpy. Screenwriters Robert Ramsey and Matthew Stone hazily let the nonsensical ribaldry dictate the senseless tone of this clumsy, caustic comedy. The idea of this object of desire--a suitcase that caters to one's curiosity--feels so gimmicky in the way Sonnenfeld has these roving dolts going bezerk over it. After awhile, one begins to wonder if "Big Trouble" is in the tradition of becoming another poor man's faceless "romp-and-roll" flick complete with inane caricatures and recycled gags to last a lifetime.

Pretend that you're in math class and you are asked to add up these figures: wacked-out and silly-minded protagonists, phony aliases, airline personal willing to accept bribe money for welcoming on board an explosive concealed in a suspicious suitcase, lackluster airport security, hidden bombs being smuggled on airplanes designed to be a hilarious oversight, cliched' good guys and bad guys getting in each other's tangled hair, and an overall anemic and ponderous script that thinks it's too clever for its own good, etc. When you do put this whole equation together, "Big Trouble's" sum equals to one complete and total waste of another derivative, offensive, stylish and smirky crime caper.

Frank rates this film: * 1/2 stars (out of 4 stars)