Great movie
Added 1/28/2009
Awesome movie, hadn't watched it in years and I'm happy to be owning it now. Classic...
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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There Is a Reason People Don't Build Churches to Worship John...
Added 9/2/2008
...because as important as sidekicks are, nobody comes to see them specifically. This film is full of people who are best known for being sidekicks. Not surprisingly, I found "Freaked" completely by accident. Some accidents are happy. Some accidents are sad. Some accidents make you angry enough that you want to start a fire and melt polycarbonate. "Freaked" might make an entertaining fire. A film almost entirely populated by (in)famous sidekick actors deserves to be this painfully bad. But I should be fair and explain myself. Nothing is all bad (well, maybe Hitler). After all, a lot of people really liked this movie (about which I am honestly puzzled?). So, let's break it down. DA^^N THE AMAZON RANKINGS!!! CHARGE!!!
-TRYING HARD TO BE FUNNY.
I don't usually care who the actors are in a film as long as they pull it off. Actually, sometimes knowing the actors can give the viewer negative preconceptions about a film. I had no clue of who was in this movie. Unfortunately, I found out quickly this was not a heaven-sent cast. "Freaked" is a "who's who" of Hollywood sidekicks. The reason they are sidekicks became obvious when I watched "Freaked". Brook Shields is not a sidekick, but she was painfully out of her element here. Randy Quade (fully incapable of carrying a film on his own), Alex Winter (Bill minus Ted in a not-so-excellent adventure), Blossom's Brother (Mike something or other), Mr. T (minus "A" team), Morgan Fairchild (minus a meaningful role), Bob Goldthwait (do I need to say more?), Keanu Reaves (in a wisely uncredited role) and the rest of the cast (Who are traditionally bit players) tried really hard to achieve quirkiness but were not up to the task. It was all played as a campy horror-esque spoof. Unfortunately, when you try too hard to be campy you just look like you're trying too hard. Everyone tried way too hard. I guess if I had read this script, I'd be trying pretty hard to make it better too. Unfortunately, when it comes to comedy; either you're funny or you're not despite the best efforts.
-"I WROTE A SCREENPLAY; NOW I'LL STAR IN IT!!"
Alex Winter (Bill of "Bill and Ted") was one of the writers and the "star" of this film. I'm pretty sure he doesn't write a lot and I think that's a good thing. He and his fellow writers really don't have a knack for this kind of "Spoof". In fact, they really haven't written anything I could revere them for. What they tried here was an "Airplane" like approach to gross-out horror comedy. First; when you spoof a genre that's already funny or campy, you're inviting trouble. Second; you really should have a cast that's good at lampooning or acting in general. The reason "Airplane' worked so well is that they had these well established disaster genre actors playing a zany script straight. "Freaked" took something inherently zany or nutty and tried to make it nuttier using actors that were already on the fringes of goofiness. Why would you spoof a genre that's already disgustingly funny? The attempt at being off-beat and quirky just came off flat and heartless. Part of what makes gross-out films entertaining is the reactions of the characters to what ever craziness is occurring. Here, the actors are practically blasé about outrageous events. Some might find this quirky behavior hilarious; I found it to be blasé. When the writers actually stumble onto something sublime and/or funny, they explain it to you and dumb it down, sucking your laughs away before you can use them. You, the audience, are given no chance to get the joke yourself. You are spoon-fed the joke. This is a sure sign the writers had no confidence in their audience. I'm no high-brow snob, but I did not laugh once at this film and actually came away feeling insulted.
-PRETENTIOUSLY OFFBEAT.
I think the word that would best describe a failed attempt at being off-beat would be "Pretentious". If a film is obvious in its pretense, then it certainly can't be off-beat; it can only pretend to be off-beat. This film has pretender written all over it. "Freaked" is like a little sibling that wants to hang around with the big kids. After laughing at the big kid jokes that they don't quite understand, they try to make jokes of their own. Unfortunately they aren't mature enough to grasp the context in which the older kid's jokes were made. Then you feel sorry for the little sibling for being embarrassingly inept at making the older kids laugh. I found this film uncomfortably embarrassing and inept at trying to be an off-beat campy horror comedy spoof.
-IF YOU CAN'T SAY ANYTHING NICE...
Here are some things that were mildly interesting about "Freaked":
-Some pretty interesting sets and makeup. It was over the top, but done well enough.
-Decent stop-motion animation. It's hard to make me hate a film with stop-motion in it. This film managed to do that.
-If this story were written by more competent people, it would be an interesting concept.
-A very colorful film with lots of eye-candy and not a lot of CG.
-It has unique packaging (no text at all on the box; just pictures). You get 2 discs and a multi-paged booklet. Unfortunately, I don't really want to learn more about the movie after watching it.
-I got it cheap.
-WHAT DO I THINK OF THIS OBOMINATION?
If this review ever gets read, I'm sure many lovers of this film will stick it to me good. I'm pretty sure the phrase "You don't get it!" will ring familiar. That's all cool. However, it is because I do get the humor of good spoofs that I can revile against this one. I have friends who love this film, and all I can say in all honesty is that there is no accounting for taste. I love the genre, just not this film. Heck, I really like "Kung Pow- Enter the Fist" but completely understand why others don't. I'll argue with anyone about this film as long as you keep it civil.
Thanks for reading and have a great day!!
-Concept.....3.5 stars
-Acting.......1 stars
-Script/Story.1 star
-Execution....3 stars
Total.....2.125 stars
1 out of 4 people found this helpful.
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So You're A Hideous Mutant Freak........Now What?
Added 6/19/2008
Freaked is the answer to that old question, "What ever happened to that Alex Winter guy?" Granted he hasn't really done much since this, but he makes a rather impressive and memorable film as both lead actor and co-director.
I'm a bit surprised that more cult fans aren't aware of this film. It's zany as all hell, has some notable actors and boasts some impressive creature FX.
Alex Winter is Ricky Coogan, a former child star and all around snotty jerk. He agrees to be a spokesman in South America for a fertilizer called Zygrot-24. When Coogan and his buddy land in South America and pick up a feisty activist, they find themselves at a freak emporium run by Elijah Skuggs(Randy Quaid in full whacko mode). Skuggs uses the Zygrot-24 fertilizer to make the freaks he displays. Coogan and his buddies become the latest victims. Coogan's now the "Beast Boy", and becomes the star attraction. He also becomes a kind of leader for the group that consists of The Bearded Lady(Mr.T), A living sock puppet(Bobcat Goldthwait), a literal Cow-Boy, an uncredited Keanu Reeves as the dog boy, and many more. Coogan is pursued by a loud big eared boy who is his number one fan, who becomes instrumental in bringing down Skuggs and the evil corporate schmucks who want to change the human race with Zygrot-24. The head of the corporation is played by the always reliable William Sadler. The film is told through a series of flashbacks that Coogan is telling as a guest on a talk show hosted by Brooke Shields.
Needless to say, this movie is wacky, very wacky. Very cartoonish and off the wall. Some of the zany humor and kinetic camera techniques are quite prevalent now in movies and tv shows, but this was most likely ahead of it's time in 1993. Too bad nobody watched it.
Alex Winter impresses and surprises as co writer and co director with his off the wall and quite quirky sense of humor. He even spoof's himself by making Coogan the star of a series of films called, "Ghost Dude". Winter must have had some kind of budget for this film considering how many actors he lured into it and the monster effects with are quite impressive. Yes, they are obviously phony, but I think it's supposed to be to a certain degree anyway. The Beast Boy makeup is quite good.
I'd highly recommend this if you haven't already seen it and could use a good laugh. I only wish Winter would have continued on this path coz if this is a prime example of his film making talents, he could be one of the leading cult directors now. Hope he makes another movie.
2 out of 2 people found this helpful.
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We love this movie and were very pleased with our purchase thank you
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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Those who ignore this film will stand knee deep in the blood of their children
Added 6/2/2006
Despite being one of the most overlooked and underpromoted films upon its release in 1993, most of the cult following for FREAKED never saw the film until much later. This hysterical debut feature from Tom Stern and Alex Winter began life with plenty of promise: a funny script, two talented up-and-coming comedy directors, a great ensemble cast, plenty of shock value, and even cross-promotion merchandising (HIDEOUS MUTANT FREEKZ action figures made their way to stores before the film's title was changed, and are now considered valuable collectors items). However, the film was shuffled into obscurity thanks to a change in the corporate leadership of Twentieth Century Fox. FREAKED had only a limited theatrical release and little fanfare when it finally hit home video.
FREAKED is the tale of one-time child actor (and full time jerk), Ricky Coogan (Winter) who makes a Faustian deal with the EES (Everything Except Shoes) Corporation to promote a dangerous chemical fertilizer, Zygrot 23, in the South American country of Santa Flan. Joined by his horn dog buddy Ernie (Michael Stoyanov) and perky environmentalist Julie (Megan Ward), the trio happen upon a freak show only to become part of the act thanks to the handiwork of evil Elijah C. Skuggs (Randy Quaid), a crazed ringmaster who creates new freaks using--what else--Zygrot 23.
And that's just the first act of the film! If you're at all familiar with Winter and Stern's earlier short films (SQUEAL OF DEATH), then you may have an inkling as to what a treat FREAKED is. The humor is extremely twisted and the sight gags and jokes just keep coming. Once transformed into freaks, Ricky, Ernie, and Julie befriend a cast of characters that include psychic trolls, Rastafarian eyeballs with legs, down-trodden wrenches, a giant worm, a woman played by Mr. T (playing himself, only female), and Bobcat Goldthwaite playing a freak with the body of a man but the head of a sock-pocket. The freaks must band together to escape from Skuggs and stop the spread of Zygrot 23 before the world is overrun by more freaks. The movie boasts cameos from Keanu Reeves, Brooke Shields, Morgan Fairchild, Butthole Surfers frontman Gibby Haines, and Calvert DeForest (AKA Larry "Bud" Melman).
6 out of 7 people found this helpful.
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Great movie
Added 1/28/2009
Awesome movie, hadn't watched it in years and I'm happy to be owning it now. Classic...
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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There Is a Reason People Don't Build Churches to Worship John...
Added 9/2/2008
...because as important as sidekicks are, nobody comes to see them specifically. This film is full of people who are best known for being sidekicks. Not surprisingly, I found "Freaked" completely by accident. Some accidents are happy. Some accidents are sad. Some accidents make you angry enough that you want to start a fire and melt polycarbonate. "Freaked" might make an entertaining fire. A film almost entirely populated by (in)famous sidekick actors deserves to be this painfully bad. But I should be fair and explain myself. Nothing is all bad (well, maybe Hitler). After all, a lot of people really liked this movie (about which I am honestly puzzled?). So, let's break it down. DA^^N THE AMAZON RANKINGS!!! CHARGE!!!
-TRYING HARD TO BE FUNNY.
I don't usually care who the actors are in a film as long as they pull it off. Actually, sometimes knowing the actors can give the viewer negative preconceptions about a film. I had no clue of who was in this movie. Unfortunately, I found out quickly this was not a heaven-sent cast. "Freaked" is a "who's who" of Hollywood sidekicks. The reason they are sidekicks became obvious when I watched "Freaked". Brook Shields is not a sidekick, but she was painfully out of her element here. Randy Quade (fully incapable of carrying a film on his own), Alex Winter (Bill minus Ted in a not-so-excellent adventure), Blossom's Brother (Mike something or other), Mr. T (minus "A" team), Morgan Fairchild (minus a meaningful role), Bob Goldthwait (do I need to say more?), Keanu Reaves (in a wisely uncredited role) and the rest of the cast (Who are traditionally bit players) tried really hard to achieve quirkiness but were not up to the task. It was all played as a campy horror-esque spoof. Unfortunately, when you try too hard to be campy you just look like you're trying too hard. Everyone tried way too hard. I guess if I had read this script, I'd be trying pretty hard to make it better too. Unfortunately, when it comes to comedy; either you're funny or you're not despite the best efforts.
-"I WROTE A SCREENPLAY; NOW I'LL STAR IN IT!!"
Alex Winter (Bill of "Bill and Ted") was one of the writers and the "star" of this film. I'm pretty sure he doesn't write a lot and I think that's a good thing. He and his fellow writers really don't have a knack for this kind of "Spoof". In fact, they really haven't written anything I could revere them for. What they tried here was an "Airplane" like approach to gross-out horror comedy. First; when you spoof a genre that's already funny or campy, you're inviting trouble. Second; you really should have a cast that's good at lampooning or acting in general. The reason "Airplane' worked so well is that they had these well established disaster genre actors playing a zany script straight. "Freaked" took something inherently zany or nutty and tried to make it nuttier using actors that were already on the fringes of goofiness. Why would you spoof a genre that's already disgustingly funny? The attempt at being off-beat and quirky just came off flat and heartless. Part of what makes gross-out films entertaining is the reactions of the characters to what ever craziness is occurring. Here, the actors are practically blasé about outrageous events. Some might find this quirky behavior hilarious; I found it to be blasé. When the writers actually stumble onto something sublime and/or funny, they explain it to you and dumb it down, sucking your laughs away before you can use them. You, the audience, are given no chance to get the joke yourself. You are spoon-fed the joke. This is a sure sign the writers had no confidence in their audience. I'm no high-brow snob, but I did not laugh once at this film and actually came away feeling insulted.
-PRETENTIOUSLY OFFBEAT.
I think the word that would best describe a failed attempt at being off-beat would be "Pretentious". If a film is obvious in its pretense, then it certainly can't be off-beat; it can only pretend to be off-beat. This film has pretender written all over it. "Freaked" is like a little sibling that wants to hang around with the big kids. After laughing at the big kid jokes that they don't quite understand, they try to make jokes of their own. Unfortunately they aren't mature enough to grasp the context in which the older kid's jokes were made. Then you feel sorry for the little sibling for being embarrassingly inept at making the older kids laugh. I found this film uncomfortably embarrassing and inept at trying to be an off-beat campy horror comedy spoof.
-IF YOU CAN'T SAY ANYTHING NICE...
Here are some things that were mildly interesting about "Freaked":
-Some pretty interesting sets and makeup. It was over the top, but done well enough.
-Decent stop-motion animation. It's hard to make me hate a film with stop-motion in it. This film managed to do that.
-If this story were written by more competent people, it would be an interesting concept.
-A very colorful film with lots of eye-candy and not a lot of CG.
-It has unique packaging (no text at all on the box; just pictures). You get 2 discs and a multi-paged booklet. Unfortunately, I don't really want to learn more about the movie after watching it.
-I got it cheap.
-WHAT DO I THINK OF THIS OBOMINATION?
If this review ever gets read, I'm sure many lovers of this film will stick it to me good. I'm pretty sure the phrase "You don't get it!" will ring familiar. That's all cool. However, it is because I do get the humor of good spoofs that I can revile against this one. I have friends who love this film, and all I can say in all honesty is that there is no accounting for taste. I love the genre, just not this film. Heck, I really like "Kung Pow- Enter the Fist" but completely understand why others don't. I'll argue with anyone about this film as long as you keep it civil.
Thanks for reading and have a great day!!
-Concept.....3.5 stars
-Acting.......1 stars
-Script/Story.1 star
-Execution....3 stars
Total.....2.125 stars
1 out of 4 people found this helpful.
|
So You're A Hideous Mutant Freak........Now What?
Added 6/19/2008
Freaked is the answer to that old question, "What ever happened to that Alex Winter guy?" Granted he hasn't really done much since this, but he makes a rather impressive and memorable film as both lead actor and co-director.
I'm a bit surprised that more cult fans aren't aware of this film. It's zany as all hell, has some notable actors and boasts some impressive creature FX.
Alex Winter is Ricky Coogan, a former child star and all around snotty jerk. He agrees to be a spokesman in South America for a fertilizer called Zygrot-24. When Coogan and his buddy land in South America and pick up a feisty activist, they find themselves at a freak emporium run by Elijah Skuggs(Randy Quaid in full whacko mode). Skuggs uses the Zygrot-24 fertilizer to make the freaks he displays. Coogan and his buddies become the latest victims. Coogan's now the "Beast Boy", and becomes the star attraction. He also becomes a kind of leader for the group that consists of The Bearded Lady(Mr.T), A living sock puppet(Bobcat Goldthwait), a literal Cow-Boy, an uncredited Keanu Reeves as the dog boy, and many more. Coogan is pursued by a loud big eared boy who is his number one fan, who becomes instrumental in bringing down Skuggs and the evil corporate schmucks who want to change the human race with Zygrot-24. The head of the corporation is played by the always reliable William Sadler. The film is told through a series of flashbacks that Coogan is telling as a guest on a talk show hosted by Brooke Shields.
Needless to say, this movie is wacky, very wacky. Very cartoonish and off the wall. Some of the zany humor and kinetic camera techniques are quite prevalent now in movies and tv shows, but this was most likely ahead of it's time in 1993. Too bad nobody watched it.
Alex Winter impresses and surprises as co writer and co director with his off the wall and quite quirky sense of humor. He even spoof's himself by making Coogan the star of a series of films called, "Ghost Dude". Winter must have had some kind of budget for this film considering how many actors he lured into it and the monster effects with are quite impressive. Yes, they are obviously phony, but I think it's supposed to be to a certain degree anyway. The Beast Boy makeup is quite good.
I'd highly recommend this if you haven't already seen it and could use a good laugh. I only wish Winter would have continued on this path coz if this is a prime example of his film making talents, he could be one of the leading cult directors now. Hope he makes another movie.
2 out of 2 people found this helpful.
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