Death to Smoochy (2002)

'Til worms are crawling up your ****** foam rubber a**...
One of Robins best played Characters..He's a natural in this role, lol.
Psychotic, Crazy, absolutely Hilarious Classic one-liners! ~ Couldn't breathe with over laughter in some parts. A definite must see for any Robin or Edward fan. Only one tinsie winsy negative... about Edward Nortons final stages of this film... but I don't want to ruin it for anyone :-D A lot of ppl avoid watching this film.. believing it is a kids film.. lol.. it isn't.

Take a trip outside the Magic Jungle...
I still can't believe that up until last night I had never seen `Death to Smoochy'. It stars one of my all time favorite actors working today (Edward Norton) and yet it slipped right past me for some reason. I remember a few years back I caught part of the movie on HBO and watched for a minute (it was the hilarious cookie scene) but then turned it off since I loathe catching movies in the middle. My wife, knowing that I love everything Norton, called me from our local video store last night and asked if I had seen `Death to Smoochy' to which I replied "no" to which she retorted "great, I'm getting it".

While `Death to Smoochy' is not the funniest film I've seen in recent years it served up just what I needed after hearing of Heath Ledger's untimely death; laughs.

Danny DeVito gets behind the directors chair to take pot-shots at the world of children's entertainment and for the most part it works, at times even gloriously. The film revolves around a rivalry between network stars. Rainbow Randolph equals scandal and trouble and so the network drops him in favor of Smoochy the Rhino, a clean cut children loving man who wants to send a positive message to his viewers. Once Smoochy (aka Sheldon Mopes) is hired though, he finds out that not everything is for the children. Despite his efforts to provide a wholesome environment he is challenged by each and every bigwig in the place to do what makes money.

Edward Norton fits magically here as Sheldon. His performance is superb and only adds to his already magnificent resume. His co-star and onscreen nemesis Robin Williams is not so wonderful. There are many times here that I felt Williams went a little too overboard with his hysterics and delivered an uneven performance. It was funny in scenes (I just love his prank call to Sheldon) but all too often it was over the top and unfunny. Catherine Keener does a nice job here as the catty Nora Wells who was against Smoochy from the beginning. She plays this type of character well. Her character is a little underwritten but she does her best with it and it shows.

Like I said `Death to Smoochy' is not greatest comedy out there but it plays to its strengths and delivers a satire that is funny because it's probably true. Like `Wag the Dog' (a film that is in my humble opinion superior) it takes a behind the scenes look at something we probably don't give a second thought to and exposes an exaggerated look at what it quite possibly the truth. I mean, the mob has ties in everything right? Why not children's television?

Ever wonder what went on behind the scenes at a `Barney' taping?

Watch `Death to Smoochy' for an idea.

Robin Williams' Foul Mouth
Crazy movie. another one we saw on TV and wanted to buy. As much as gets through on TV we knew we were missing good parts. And we were. Robin is great as Rainbow Randy. Edward Norton is just a good actor and Danny Devito is perfect as usual - type-cast as a short, rotten dude but he does it so well. Heil Smoochey. just crazy.