Sunday, February 25, 2024

The Very Excellent Mr. Dundee (2020)

Paul Hogan returns in this quirky comedy based on his life after Crocodile Dundee.  While his manager, Angie (Rachael Carpani), tries to get him a new movie deal and arrange his imminent knighthood, Paul's life spins out of control through a series of unfortunate events.  First, he defended himself from a snake by batting it away... into the face of a 5th grade teacher!  Oops.  Next, he doesn't like the movie pitch where Will Smith is his son... because he's black.  Did they not see the previous Dundee movies?  Of course, that's not how the press reports it.  When he finds himself in a car chase from the police through the street of LA, it has really gotten out of hand.  If it can go wrong, it does.

Though there is the overall arc of Paul's public life becoming a nightmare, he rolls with the punches and isn't much concerned by it.  Some of the comedy bits have nothing to do with the life-in-ruins arc, just random sketch comedy.  Wayne Knight as a bad house guest, failed paparazzi loitering at his house, and so forth.  I'm generally baffled why his 'son' had such a large part in the movie since he really didn't add anything.  Wow, you've got a multi-talented son who has an active social life.  This is light and fun, an entertaining diversion with a wide-variety of cameos.  John Cleese is the standout as an Uber driver, but there is also Olivia Newton-John, Reginald VelJohnson, and Oscar-winner Chevy Chase.

Some of the best comedy had nothing to do with the storyline.  At one point, the producers suggested a new Crocodile Dundee film where his wife has been killed and he's out for vengeance with a sexy park ranger!  Rachel McAdams is suggested.  Paul shakes his head.  "I'm 80!  She's like 30."

"Right!  She's too old!  Who was in High School Musical that we can cast?"  Funny!

A large chunk of the movie is Paul watching how the news reports his misadventures.  There's texting and facetime, news programs and red-carpet interviews.  Life as a celebrity is a PR campaign.

Fun and nostalgic.  Recommended.

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