Review of Condorman (1981) by Ken S — 14 Sep 2011

One of the many misguided live-action films that Disney made in the late 70's/early 80's was Condorman. It's the kind of film that sounds like it was made as a bet. The premise is insane and the execution is even more ridiculous.

An american comic book writer is living in Paris "researching" his new comic Condorman. By research I mean he dresses up like his character and tries to fly off the Eiffel tower. This needless to say goes...poorly. You see this artist will only write about things he can actually do.

Then the CIA asks him to deliver some documents to one of there agents in Istanbul. (the long, rich collaboration of comic book artists and spies is well documented) The contact in Istanbul then decided to defect, but only to Condorman. So the CIA literally builds EVERYTHING the comic book artist has even conceived of to aid him in his mission. This includes a fully functional flying Condorman suit and the Condormobile, a jet boat with an attached laser gun. All of which have red and orange and feathers painted on them...to you know look inconspicuous).

Did I mention that the bad guy is played by Oliver "I'll do anything for drinking money" Reed?

Condorman is totally terrible, but it's trying so hard to take it self seriously that I found myself laughing quite a bit. Is it the worst comic book movie ever made? Far from it. Is it the silliest super hero ever? Probably, but then again I haven't seen Pizza Man yet.