Death to Smoochy was definitely the funniest movie so far this year, although it's not even April yet. The film is funny, but it's less satirical than I was hoping, relying more on profanity and slapstick.
Robin Williams and Edward Norton are a wonder to watch. Williams is as manic as ever, and Norton is wonderfully naïve. I can't get over how versatile he is considering his roles in Fight Club, American History X, and Primal Fear.
I was expecting Death to Smoochy to be on the same plane as classic satires, like Network, but aside from a few great lines and the infamous and hilarious stepfather song, the film was not nearly as dark as it could have been. DeVito seems to think that profanity and violence creates a sneering dark comedy, but truly great films, like The Royal Tenenbaums, are able to be darker still without the violence, but rather through the story and characters.
Visually the film is colorful and lively with great sets, extras, and particularly costumes. And the ice skating climax and all scenes on the Smoochy TV set are pure entertainment.
Every joke doesn't fly, but the ones that do hit hard, and they come quick enough that you barely even notice.
So, in summary, Death to Smoochy is a hilarious and highly entertaining mock of children's television and the blatant exploitation of this deep-pocketed demographic with a satirical edge, but not as much substance as style. But that's OK, you'll still walk out of the theater with a smile on your face.
Robin Williams and Edward Norton are a wonder to watch. Williams is as manic as ever, and Norton is wonderfully naïve. I can't get over how versatile he is considering his roles in Fight Club, American History X, and Primal Fear.
I was expecting Death to Smoochy to be on the same plane as classic satires, like Network, but aside from a few great lines and the infamous and hilarious stepfather song, the film was not nearly as dark as it could have been. DeVito seems to think that profanity and violence creates a sneering dark comedy, but truly great films, like The Royal Tenenbaums, are able to be darker still without the violence, but rather through the story and characters.
Visually the film is colorful and lively with great sets, extras, and particularly costumes. And the ice skating climax and all scenes on the Smoochy TV set are pure entertainment.
Every joke doesn't fly, but the ones that do hit hard, and they come quick enough that you barely even notice.
So, in summary, Death to Smoochy is a hilarious and highly entertaining mock of children's television and the blatant exploitation of this deep-pocketed demographic with a satirical edge, but not as much substance as style. But that's OK, you'll still walk out of the theater with a smile on your face.