From Deseret News archives:
Good Burger
Film review
"Good Burger" equals bad, bad, bad, bad, bad movie.
And Ed, the film's "lovable" but clueless hero, may be the most irritating screen presence this side of "valley guy" Pauly Shore. Frighteningly enough, Kel Mitchell, who plays Ed, seems to have taken a page out of Shore's book with his extremely unfunny and painful performance, one of a score of major problems with the movie.
There are also a lot of vulgar references and sexual double-entendres, which are highly inappropriate for a "children's" movie, and a ton of lame jokes that will probably even bore the third-grade crowd that the film is obviously aimed at.
In fact, given the quality of this stinker and its so-so adaptation of "Harriet the Spy," an argument could be made that the Nickelodeon cable channel should be prevented from making another movie again.
The film is based on a series of sketches, starring Mitchell and Kenan Thompson, from Nickelodeon's "All That" program. What story there is revolves around a series of "burger wars" in Los Angeles, between the benign Good Burger restaurant and the big-business, quantity-over-quality newcomer, Mondo Burger.
With its glossy decor and huge burgers, Mondo Burger seems to be winning the war, until Good Burger employees Ed and Dexter (Thompson) discover a new "secret sauce" that their loyal customers love.
Of course, that doesn't stop evil Mondo Burger manager Kurt Bozwell (Jan Schwieterman) from trying to bribe the recipe out of Ed (including siccing MTV "talent" Carmen Electra on him) or, as a last resort, institutionalizng the duo and poisoning the restaurant's secret sauce stash.
There's supposed to be a good-natured message under this mess, presumably about bigger not always being better, but it's buried under lame attempts at slapstick humor, which culminates in a gooey finale that includes exploding hamburgers and mustard and ketchup fights.
Mitchell's not the only culprit here, though, as all the performances are uniformly bad. And a series of cameos and bit parts that involve Abe Vigoda, Sinbad and NBA star Shaquille O'Neal are more embarrassing than they are funny.
You can also blame director Brian Robbins, who teamed with screenwriter Dan Schneider (the duo starred together on television's "Head of the Class"). Robbins lingers too long when the scenes drag, as if waiting for a chuckle that will never come (catcalls are much more likely).
"Good Burger" is rated PG for slapstick violence, a few vulgar jokes and double-entendres, and a couple of scattered profanities.
Recent comments
I'm 17 year's old and my bro's are 11 and 9. And we enjoy...
Anonymous | April 8, 2009 at 10:34 p.m.
"I'm A dude, she's a dude, he's a dude, 'cause...
Anonymous | Nov. 5, 2008 at 10:20 p.m.
How could anyone say this is a bad movie you have no sense of humor...
Anonymous | June 21, 2008 at 10:48 p.m.
Cast: Kenan Thompson, Kel Mitchell, Shar Jackson, Jan Schwieterman, Sinbad
Find a Movie Theater
- NFL: Week 12 recap 12:50 a.m.
- '12 Days' bill would top $87K 12:35 a.m.
- Study finds autism therapy works 12:35 a.m.
- Boy shot following traffic stop 12:35 a.m.
- Sports on the air 12:24 a.m.
- Herbert builds his team of rivals 12:21 a.m.
- Corroon a step closer to governor 12:21 a.m.
- Monday on TV 12:18 a.m.
- Editorial: East, West and religion 12:17 a.m.
- A deficit commission? 12:17 a.m.
- Hall mouths off about hate of Utah
- BYU is champion of the state
- Cougars beat Utes in overtime
- Credit Coug defense for win
- Marriage definitions vary widely
- Field goals, penalties doomed Utes
- Cougar defense rose to occasion
- Banged up Jazz get best of Blazers
- Jones' joy for life remembered
- Fantasy is reality for BYU professor
- Hall mouths off about hate of Utah
869 - Cougars beat Utes in overtime
473 - Max Hall issues apology
145 - BYU is champion of the state
137 - Man trapped in Nutty Putty cave dies
117 - Cave to be sealed with body inside
116 - Rivalry Week is highly profane
90 - Hall's legacy measured today
79 - Hall's pain reflects self-betrayal
68 - Utes fall to Seattle U. at home
65
I find it interesting that many of the same people who say that we can't...
None of these teams is going to be easy. They all have fine football...
Max, no apology was necessary, but the apology was polically correct. If...
Very good piece of writing, Amy. You summarized what many of us have been...
How is a top 25 finish make Utah a top twenty team? I think what the poster...
90% of the BYU & Utah fans have class, and Hall knows it. If you don't...
This might be my favorite article I've ever read from the Deseret News. Kudos.
Thank you for not giving up and don't give up now brother and sister...
Dr. Lois Lee's work with children who are victims of child sexual...
Look at the preview for Pixar's "Up". The whole move is summarized in...



