Review of Dudley Do-Right (1999) by Laurel S — 03 May 2011

Brendan Fraser is a living cartoon character. In every film I've seen him in, he has zany characteristics and gives cheesy smiles at the camera. Even in "The Mummy", I feel like I'm watching an action-packed cartoon series. Universal tried to cash in on the success of Disney's "George of the Jungle" adaption with Brendan Fraser by putting him in a theatrical adaption of another Jay Ward (creator of "George of the Jungle") toon, "Dudley Do-Right".

The film felt like a quest to find a plot! The film is about a clumsy mountie named Dudley Do-Right (because he's always doing right!) who must stop his long time nemesis, Snidley Whiplash, from taking over Semi-Happy Valley. The rest is just a whole bunch of plot threads who were abused by hardly being developed.

Fraser is doing what he does best: acting weirdly. So I consider him to be the best actor in the film. Alfred Molina speaks in a annoying cartoonish voice. It worked sometimes at got out of hand for the remainder. Sarah Jessica Parker was acting terribly. She looked like the thought, "I'm getting paid for this, right?", ran through her head throughout her screen time. Supporting cast: LAME! Not even Eric Idle helped.

The humor is so flat! Eric Idle was not funny and so was Alfred Molina. Not even the "Pokemon" reference helped! When I did find something amusing, I replied with dry chcukles. I just wonder how much they paid the writer, Hugh Wilson. The other stupid thing was the opening credits. The titles, "Written by Hugh Wilson" and "Directed by Hugh Wilson", are seperate. Were they just too lazy to put "Written for the screen and directed by Hugh Wilson"? Laziness, people! Laziness! The film was even unsure of itself. It felt and anachronistic and bored of itself. The film was just lazy. It was flat, lazy, and supplied very little to children. Low on slapstick. What a shame. "Dudley Do-Right" is a do-wrong. The "George of the Jungle" movie was more butch and that live-action "Flintstones" movie had more dignity than this. Come on, Hollywood! Come on!