From Deseret News archives:
Rat Race
Film review
And no, the ads and trailers aren't misleading (for a change). This tiresome, unfunny comedy really is little more than a retread of the 1963 cult hit "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World."
And though that bloated comedy is nearly an hour longer than "Rat Race," this new film feels twice as long. And updating the concept for the 21st century evidently means throwing in as much politically incorrect and mean-spirited "humor" as possible.
If that isn't bad enough, virtually all the characters here are so reprehensible or unlikable that you probably won't want to know if their fortunes change for the better.
What story there is revolves around a contest run by eccentric Las Vegas tycoon Donald Sinclair (John Cleese, painfully unfunny in an ill-fitting wig and dentures). He'll give $2 million to the selected contestants who are first to get to Silver City, N.M.
The rules of the contest? None to speak of. So the contestants break up into teams to try and make the 700-mile trek using any means necessary.
Going it alone are disgraced NFL referee Owen Templeton (Cuba Gooding Jr.) and narcoleptic Italian tourist Mr. Pollini (Rowan Atkinson).
The only one of the bunch who seems disinterested is Chicago attorney-in-training Nick Shaffer (Breckin Meyer), but that changes when he meets a beautiful helicopter pilot (Amy Smart) who may be able to get him to Silver City in a hurry.
This probably isn't the worst idea for a movie. But it's executed badly by director Jerry Zucker, who's determined to play scenes as broadly and loudly as possible to the point that they become shrill nonsense.
Not that the cast is any help. Most of the performances are embarrassingly bad, especially Atkinson, who appears to be parodying Roberto Benigni. (Atkinson has the most wince-inducing moment in the film.)
Gooding is also too broad and he should now be required to give back his Best Supporting Actor Oscar.
"Rat Race" is rated PG-13 for slapstick violence, crude bodily functions and sexual references, occasional use of profanity, brief partial female nudity. Running time: 106 minutes.
E-MAIL: jeff@desnews.com
Recent comments
There was wayyyyy to much language in this movie. I loved
it...
Emily aka: Jack | March 20, 2007 at 6:27 p.m.
A classic adventure movie fun for everyone. A little
language, and...
Lynne | July 16, 2003 at 1:14 a.m.
Cast: Breckin Meyer, Amy Smart, Cuba Gooding Jr., Seth Green
Find a Movie Theater
- Obama's hesitancy sends messages 10:41 p.m.
- 3A: Juan Diego runs away with win 10:35 p.m.
- 3A: Juan Diego grinds out win 10:33 p.m.
- BYU basketball women at a glance 10:25 p.m.
- Cougar women's home improvement 10:22 p.m.
- Deal reached on 'balloon boy' 10:18 p.m.
- U. women's 10:17 p.m.
- Whipple should ease growing pains 10:14 p.m.
- RSL plans to attack early, often 10:13 p.m.
- Palin: Aides kept her 'bottled up' 10:12 p.m.
- House passes health care bill
335 - SLC council OKs gay rights policies
318 - TCU showdown has big implications
195 - Senators want food tax restored
158 - Cougars crush hapless Cowboys
155 - Editorial: Mormons and gay rights
141 - Will state consider gay rights law?
137 - Utah Jazz fall apart against Kings
131 - Letters: Strange breed in Utah
119 - TCU 4th in AP poll; U. 16th, Y. 22nd
119
I won't quite say "outstanding", not yet anyway. They have not played any...
The Utes are not the same team as they were last year. I am ecstatic over...
Rex was great. Perhaps in 20 years we will see about Mike.
congrats to both teams, great seasons and it means a lot to make it to the...
I believe it is Jason and Lacy (not Josh and Lily).
I have never seen a more arrogant player on a BYU team than JT. Last year at...
Congratulations Karlee from all your Greek friends. We are so proud of you !
"I don't like to pay my bills on time. I still pay them- just a few weeks...
Great job Dixie!! You represented Region 9 in great fashion. We are all...
1. With the same core players this team has consistently gotten worse. The...



