Review of Gung Ho (1986) by Kris W — 05 Nov 2010

"Taglines:When East meets West, the laughs shift into high gear!".

Don't know how well it holds up, but if your looking for a cheesy-funny 80's feel good comedy, look no further. The 2nd collaberation between Ron Howard and Keaton (followig the comedy classic Night Shift). For my money few actors hit the high water mark Michael Keaton did in the 80's ( i.e, Night Shift, Mr. Mom, Johnny Dangerously, Gung Ho, Touch and Go, The Squeeze, Beetlejuice, Clean and Sober, The Dream Team, and finishig with Batman). It's such a shame from the mid-90's on he's beomce borderline straight to DVD. The film also has some good supportig actors, including 16 Candles Gedde Watanabe (Long Duck Dong), George Wendt, and John Turturo.

Hunt Stevenson: [driving back from a meeting with Hunt's Japanese bosses] Want to get some ice cream? Haagen Daaz!

Audrey: Eat shit and die.

Hunt Stevenson: [pauses] Are you having your period?

Audrey: Stop the car!

Hunt Stevenson: You're a real millie, you know that?

Kazihiro: I'm no millie!

Hunt Stevenson: Is it just me or do you hate the way your shorts feel when they're wet?

Kazihiro: Actually I kind of like it.

Kazihiro: [Hunt has been offered a job by his Japanese bosses] Can we count on you?

Hunt Stevenson: Fellas... is a frog's ass watertight?

Kazihiro: [he discusses it with his colleagues in Japanese] Yes. We believe it is.

Kazihiro: [to Sakamoto] We could use another man on wipers.

Buster: [to a Japanese worker] Yo, made in Japan!

Mr. Sakamoto: [to Hunt] I like you. You make me laugh.

Buster: [watching the Japanese workers come to the baseball field in their uniforms] They look like the Yankees. I hate 'em already.

Kazihiro: None of you would last two days in management training.

Hunt Stevenson: None of us would be dumb enough to stay two days.

Kazihiro: This is Looney Tunes!

Kazihiro: Last night I told off my boss.

Hunt Stevenson: Good for you. Was he awake?

Hunt Stevenson: If you walk out that door, you're going to miss a great comeback. We're ready to roll here, Jack.

Mr. Sakamoto: This will never be like a Japanese factory... *Jack.*.

Hunt Stevenson: Oh, yeah? You're right. You know what else? So what?

Mr. Sakamoto: You failed.

Hunt Stevenson: Really? Wanna know something? I got one of the first cars ever made here. I got *the* first car ever - I don't think I want it anymore. As a matter of fact, here.

[hands keys to Mr. Sakamoto].

Hunt Stevenson: . Why don't you take the keys, ok? I'd rather have one of those cars.

[points to cars in assembly line].

Hunt Stevenson: . I'd rather have one of these cars that *we* made *together,* by hand. Your guys and my guys, together. You know why? Because those cars stand for something. Those cars stand for something pretty great. I'm proud of those cars. I'm taking one.

[Turns to workers].

Hunt Stevenson: Gentlemen, I'm going home in my new car!

Hunt Stevenson: [All workers cheer and applaud, then silently pray that Hunt's new car has a working engine. Hunt starts the car, and the workers cheer. However, the car literally falls apart after about 2 yards, and the workers start to moan. Hunt gets out of the car] I tell ya, I thought it handled great!

Mr. Sakamoto: Everything is all right here?

Kazihiro: Yes. Fine. Great. Have a good trip back.

Mr. Sakamoto: I will visit the factory tomorrow.

Kazihiro: Uh, tomorrow not good day.

Mr. Sakamoto: Why?

Kazihiro: Factory is locked and we can't find key.

Saito: Bullshit-o!

Hunt Stevenson: [in a conference room in Japan] Hey, did you guys decorate this place yourselves? Because it's damn nice. It's real... Oriental.

Hunt Stevenson: [to Kazihiro] Hey! If you guys are so great... HOW COME YOU LOST THE BIG ONE?

Hunt Stevenson: Afterwards we have a few beers and piss for distance.

Kazihiro: For us it's accuracy.

Kazihiro: You're fired.

Hunt Stevenson: What?!

[chair falls back].

Mr. Sakamoto: [hands a janitor's mop to Saito, the naysayer executive, effectively demoting Saito from VP to janitor].

Mr. Sakamoto: Good luck in your new career.

Hunt Stevenson: [Hunt is trying to impress the Japanese executives before starting his sales pitch] I'm just crazy for your country. I mean, I love it. You know, my Dad was over here with the Army in about, uh,.

[realizes what he is saying].

Hunt Stevenson: ... 1945, uh, let's get started.

Hunt Stevenson: Hey, sugarpuss, what's cooking?

Secretary: No, cooking... typing.

Hunt Stevenson: Well, is your boss in?

Secretary: Today not good day to see boss, man.

[resorting to a book of quotes].

Secretary: He between a lock and a hard on.