One of the many Raimi cult films from the 80s, this movie is not very good. Canned acting, obvious dubbing, and isn't Yosemite Sams voice in there? It' been a while since I've seen Crimewave, so the precise elements may not be completely accurate. But since it had the names Raimi and Coen attached to it, there was no choice, I had to see it.
This flick contains good slapstick, though the timing is s bit off, and the cartoonish pace of the movie makes everything pass at lightning speed. The bad guys were especially zany but it's normal for Raimi and the Coens to have not-so-subtle characters. Good thing they had life because the main character (don't recall his name) was hopelessly bad, as was the lifeless Mr Trend (Edward Pressman). No wonder his career was in producing.
So why did I even bother with this movie? Well, it's always good to see a successful director (or in this case directors) before he had a Hollywood budget. I've come to love Raimi and the Coens over the years, so it was compelling to see these cinematic geniuses working at a young age. The frantic camera work (Raimi), the emphasis on mood and characters, not storyline (the Coens) show what these guys were doing before striking it big time. I don't know if this was an 8MM film but I bet a few fathers were opening their wallets to finance this project. Essentially, the film is the result of what an old crime film directed by Friz Freleng would get you. Somewhat of an old school feel but definite amphetamine influence. An absolute cult film, yet somehow forecasting things that lay ahead for it's creators.
Can't forget to mention Bruce Campbell, the "heel who hates guys that hate heels." Not only are his lines delivered in signature cheese ball fashion, it's done with the utmost glee. Whenever Bruce speaks, it's obvious the movie didn't have much of a sound crew. I wonder if they had one at all, the audibility of his lines do not rate high. But his character, though used sporadically, is so hammy that after he speaks, you'll pump your fist and say "you rock Bruce." What a guy!!
Anyway, for most of you trendy movie goers, you'll be bored to tears with this wacky comedy. It's over-the-top, fun, horribly acted, and quite patchy, so film critics of the Ivy League persuasion need not observe. But those of you that LOVE Sam Raimi and the Coens should watch. This was one of Raimi's projects in between the Evil Dead 1 and 2, so you can see the man has been deranged for a long time. But I wish the 3 of these guys would collaborate again. They did with Hudsucker Proxy but the Coens have slipped a notch and Raimi is busy working with Tobey McQuire, so who knows what the future holds. Maybe their minds will mesh when Evil Dead 4 gets written. I can only dream.
This flick contains good slapstick, though the timing is s bit off, and the cartoonish pace of the movie makes everything pass at lightning speed. The bad guys were especially zany but it's normal for Raimi and the Coens to have not-so-subtle characters. Good thing they had life because the main character (don't recall his name) was hopelessly bad, as was the lifeless Mr Trend (Edward Pressman). No wonder his career was in producing.
So why did I even bother with this movie? Well, it's always good to see a successful director (or in this case directors) before he had a Hollywood budget. I've come to love Raimi and the Coens over the years, so it was compelling to see these cinematic geniuses working at a young age. The frantic camera work (Raimi), the emphasis on mood and characters, not storyline (the Coens) show what these guys were doing before striking it big time. I don't know if this was an 8MM film but I bet a few fathers were opening their wallets to finance this project. Essentially, the film is the result of what an old crime film directed by Friz Freleng would get you. Somewhat of an old school feel but definite amphetamine influence. An absolute cult film, yet somehow forecasting things that lay ahead for it's creators.
Can't forget to mention Bruce Campbell, the "heel who hates guys that hate heels." Not only are his lines delivered in signature cheese ball fashion, it's done with the utmost glee. Whenever Bruce speaks, it's obvious the movie didn't have much of a sound crew. I wonder if they had one at all, the audibility of his lines do not rate high. But his character, though used sporadically, is so hammy that after he speaks, you'll pump your fist and say "you rock Bruce." What a guy!!
Anyway, for most of you trendy movie goers, you'll be bored to tears with this wacky comedy. It's over-the-top, fun, horribly acted, and quite patchy, so film critics of the Ivy League persuasion need not observe. But those of you that LOVE Sam Raimi and the Coens should watch. This was one of Raimi's projects in between the Evil Dead 1 and 2, so you can see the man has been deranged for a long time. But I wish the 3 of these guys would collaborate again. They did with Hudsucker Proxy but the Coens have slipped a notch and Raimi is busy working with Tobey McQuire, so who knows what the future holds. Maybe their minds will mesh when Evil Dead 4 gets written. I can only dream.