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The Adventures Of Pluto Nash
Studio: Warner Brothers
Year: 2002
Rated: PG-13
Film Length: 95 Minutes
Aspect Ratio: 16X9 Enhanced Widescreen (1.85:1)
Subtitles: English, French and Spanish
The Man On The Moon
Once upon a time there was a young comic named
Eddie Murphy whose sketch comedy on Saturday Night
Live skyrocketed him into a prosperous movie
career. For quite some time, it seemed Eddie could
do no wrong. By the end of the 80s, however, Eddie's
career took a sharp decline as he began appearing in
one movie flop after another. The only brief
resurgence he had with his career was The Nutty
Professor I & II which showcased many of his
long missed character talents.
I don't know how someone so talented could have
such poor judgement with the projects he picks.
The Adventures of Pluto Nash was originally
shot over 2 years ago at a cost of $100 million,
and originally slated to hit theaters last summer.
Warner Brothers knew they had a turkey on their
hands, and shelved the picture until they could
find the right time to dump this piece of crap on
the unsuspecting public. They finally chose this
past Summer's Movie Season as D-Day, and as expected,
the film flopped miserably.
The year is 2080. As the film opens, we find
ourselves on the Moon in a colonized town called
Little America. Meet Pluto Nash (Eddie Murphy),
who has transformed a rundown watering hole into
Little America's most profitable nightclub. His
booming business allows him to show some
generosity, in this case to a pretty earthling
named Dina Lake (Rosario Dawson) who he sets up
with a waitressing job. Pluto also enjoys the
protection of his low-tech robotic bodyguard, Bruno
(Randy Quaid). When high-profile gangster Rex
Crater offers to buy the club and Pluto turns him
down, things quickly go wrong for Mr. Nash. An
ugly takeover takes place and Nash finds himself
on the run with Dina and his antiquated android as
he tries every trick in the book to find the mobsters
behind the takeover attempt.
This film is such a stinker, I don't know where to
begin in pointing out its flaws. First of all, if
you are going to spend $100 million on a picture,
at least have something to show for it. This
entire so-called futuristic setting looks as if
it was shot on a very small sound stage, with sets
that look no more elaborate than what you would
find on the Vegas strip. Second, this film is a
total embarrassment to everyone that's involved in
it -- including such noted actors as Peter Boyle,
Randy Quaid, Pam Grier and John Cleese
(who just about phoned his performance in). I can
almost forgive Jay Mohr, a man who probably
signed for this film just keep employed.
How is the transfer?
This transfer is on par with every current Warner
Brothers DVD release. In other words, the picture
quality is excellent. This is a highly colorful
pristine transfer with a mostly smooth, grain-free
background. Picture is sharp, well detailed, and
along with its vivid neon color palette, black
levels are nice and deep. The only added noise I
saw here was in a few spots where background scene
panels gave off a little noise.
The 5.1 Dolby Digital soundtrack is very active
here. Across the front channels you'll find
noticeable stereo separation. Just listening to
the film's opening Blue Moon number, you'll
appreciate the bass-heavy sound with nice LFE support
that underlines the beats of the mix. The rears
provide outstanding response for the film's effects
that includes the sounds of hover craft flybys, laser
gun blasts and various PA announcements. Overall,
this is a well-rounded mix that comes across with
plenty of dynamics.
Special Features
There are three additional scenes presented here,
and I am sure you'll trust me when I say they add
absolutely nothing to the value of this film. Here's
a brief description of what was taken out...
* Benny getting hassled to sign a deed for his
bar over to Mogan (Joe Pantoliano). Benny makes
a hurried escape only to get cornered.
* Short conversation between Mogan and Kelp in
a bar that results in Kelp getting a little wet.
* A sweet parting as Flura (Pam Grier) sees
Rowland (Peter Boyle) out of his apartment.
* Rowland makes a visit to his friend at the FBI
In total, these extra scenes play just under five
minutes, which is just fine for this already sickened
reviewer.
The film's hip-hop Music Video, Ain't No Need
by the group IMx is included here. If the
video intrigues you, be sure to watch the 3-minute
Making of The Music Video, where the boys
describe their video as "angry" which allowed a chance
for them to "let off some frustration." Hmmm. That
sort of makes sense. Did they see the film too?
The cast and crew area allows you to view
extensive filmographies on the principles involved
with the film. Be sure to click on Eddie's name to
count on one hand how many good films he has been in
these past 15 years.
Don't even waste your time with the DVD-ROM
content which is basically just Warner Brothers
website promotional links.
Final Thoughts
There is just no other way to put it, and I'll make
this short and sweet....this is the worst movie I
have ever reviewed. Do whatever you can to stay
clear of this DVD.
Release Date: December 24, 2002
