Review of Clue (1985) by Philip S — 05 Oct 2011

Hollywood has made a habit of making movies based on video games and board games in recent years. There have even been movies based on books about board games. But very few--if any--have truly been successful. So, it goes without saying that when 'Clue' was released in 1985, it was ahead of its time. It turned out to be a story that works, and is enjoyable at the same time. Perhaps it works so well because it was unlike anything else out at that time. And being so unlike anything else out there makes it an underrated movie, too. Parents should note the PG rating. While it is largely a family friendly movie, there are some moments here and there that some parents might not feel are suitable for some younger audiences.

What perhaps set this movie apart from everything else, was that so many 80's movies followed a certain format of romance or action. As a result, the larger majority of those movies have been almost entirely forgotten by audiences. 'Clue', however, was a very simple, yet outrageous ensemble comedy a la 'It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World'. The cast could have been a big reason for the story being so enjoyable. The onscreen chemistry between the cast members was evident from the moment that they were put in the house's dining room together. That was a funny moment in the movie. And while it was a funny moment, it wasn't the only one. One of the funniest scenes comes at the story's climax, as the guests go running through the mansion trying to re-enact the possible scenarios of the murders. One can't help but laugh at the frantic nature of that sequence.

That set of possible re-enactments is part of what made 'Clue' a standout among 80's movies. Being that it is based on a board game, one would automatically think that there is no way this movie could have possibly succeeded. But anyone who knows the board game knows that there are so many possible outcomes. That's part of what has made the game so timeless. The movie's writers used this to their advantage, and crafted a story that while a product of the 1980's, will be just as timeless, at least among fans of the comedy genre.