THE CURSE OF THE JADE SCORPION
Director Woody Allen is so out-of-touch with the modern world that only his period efforts seem to reflect the world he knows best (thank goodness for good memories)!
3 stars (out of 4/MUST-SEE for Wood-heads)
[(2001)US-Germany/Rated: PG-13] - (1 hr. 43 min.)
Written & directed by Woody Allen
Characters/Cast
CW Briggs - Woody Allen
Chris Magruder - Dan Aykroyd
Jill - Elizabeth Berkley
Betty Ann Fitzgerald - Helen Hunt
Voltan - David Ogden Stiers
Laura Kensington - Charlize Theron
Herb Coopersmith - Michael Mulheren
Review:
Hardly your typical summer film, but worth a look for Woody Allen (SMALL TIME CROOKS, ANNIE HALL) fans.
Slow starter miscasts Woody as a smarmy, womanizing detective and similarly miscast Helen Hunt (WHAT WOMEN WANT ) as his bosses' hard-charging efficiency chief.
All miscasting aside - this film really gets going in the second act and finishes with a less than rousing, but still hilarious, conclusion.
Yes, I liked it and yes - David Ogden Stiers (TV-MASH's Charles Emerson Winchester III) is alive and kicking with two films this year (the other being THE MAJESTIC).
Charlize Theron (WAKING UP IN RENO, THE CIDER HOUSE RULES) is under-utilized but sensational throughout - yes- I'm a sucker for blondes (there - I said it).
Veteran character actors Wallace Shawn (MY DINNER WITH ANDRE), John Schuck (MCCABE AND MRS. MILLER), & Peter Gerety (K-PAX, THE LEGEND OF BAGGER VANCE) don't get much quality time but give solid support - I think that covers everybody.
Ooops - did I mention Dan Akroyd (EVOLUTION) is in it, too?
Check it out Woodman afficionadoes! (Great swing/jazz soundtrack as usual)
Supporting characters:
Al - Brian Markinson
George Bond - Wallace Shawn
Joe Coopersmith - Peter Linari
Charlie - Professor Irwin Corey
Ned - Peter Gerety
Mize - John Schuck
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++