Rating: 
Summary: I'LL DEFEND THIS MOVIE 'TIL THE LAST!!!
Review: BLAZING SADDLES and YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN both rate among the all-time great comedies, but those who claim writer-director Mel Brooks is no longer funny should watch DEFENDING YOUR LIFE, one of The Master's most amusing, poignant, and yes, even thought-provoking, works. After being hit by a bus driver who didn't care for the music blaring out of his posh new car, the Brooks character awakens to find himself in "Judgement City," where a frank but kindly defense attorney, (MEN IN BLACK's Rip Torn, in a star-making performance), hopes to prove his client is worthy of moving on to the next plane of existence. Mel even has a charming, (and convincing), romance with Oscar winner Meryl Streep, who's never been this likeable onscreen before.
DEFENDING YOUR LIFE finds writer-director-star Brooks at the top of his game. Sure, SPACEBALLS and LIFE STINKS offered bigger, more obvious bellylaughs, but DEFENDING YOUR LIFE leaves viewers with questions about their own mortality and what it all means. Throw in a dynamic, hit-filled soundtrack by THE EARNEST CROWS and you've got a comedy that can't miss!
Rating:
Summary: A good first encounter
Review: Defend Your Life was a movie I saw with a friend in a theater when it first came out. We laughed until we were tired and had a great time; it was one of those random moments with a friend when all your cares seem little ones and the movie is both funny and validating. Something my husband said one evening recently reminded me of the film, so I got it to share with him. Although he enjoyed it as much as I had on first viewing, I felt that some of the humor was a little lame on seeing it again. Streep was superb, of course, as the relaxed, carefree, and heroic Julia. She leaps into the new experience of pleasure without consequences with a simple and delightful abandon, eating whatever food she likes and, as the end of her stay in Judgement City nears, propositioning the neurotic Daniel. Albert Brooks is perfect as the latter, a fearful and self-defeating man who has missed the boat for his entire thirty odd years. Although I think most people will enjoy the film on first viewing, I suspect that a repeat will find it much too predictable, perhaps even a little cliche. Although it's worth watching, and I could see buying it at the video price, I think I'd recommend a rental rather than a purchase for those with a DVD player.
Rating: 
Summary: This movie is a definite classic, my all time favorite.
Review: Defending Your Life is the best movie. It makes you think about life after death. It's a MUST see!
Rating:
Summary: A Modern Classic
Review: Defending Your Life is the sort of witty intelligent romantic comedy that comes along every once in a while that when it does, we forget how much we love movies like this.The story follows the recently decesed Daniel Miller through his journeyings in an after life of sorts. Here, he is put on trial, and told that he must defend his life in order to move on to some sort of intellectual paradise. While he is defending his life he meets up with the wonderfully perfect Julia (played with wonderful innocence by Meryl Streep). Through their relationship, Daniel begins to explore things about himself and we are taken on a wonderful journey of self discovery. The movie has some great moments of hilarity, as when Shirley McLaine is the host for the Past lives pavillion. (The reaction when the people find out who the host is, is priceless). And of course the running gag where you can eat all you want and never gain an inch. The movie also has some moments of satisfying poignancy. The message here never comes off as sappy, but as a reminder of what life is for. The set up for the climax of the film is wonderful, and the ending doesn't disapoint. This is a wonderful movie. I hope that Albert Brooks does more movies like this in the future.
Rating:
Summary: Classic Albert Brooks
Review: Fear. How we let fear rule our live is the premise of this hillarious movie by Albert Brooks. Afer his death Albert Brooks is on trial to defend his life and prove that he didn't live his life in fear so that he can move forward in the Universe. While self-consciously and critically going about his business Albert Brooks meets Meryl Streep who contrastly is at peace and at ease with everything and everybody around her. The strangely matched couple fall in love, but will never be together unless Brooks finally lets go of his fears. A++
Rating:
Summary: Albert Brooks for everyone
Review: has everything you could want from an afterlife comedy - embarassing outtakes, Rip Torn AND Buck Henry as lawyers, Shirley Maclaine cameo...very funny; it's accessible Albert Brooks - the one-liners are there, but the cynicism is softened; Meryl Streep is charming and funny as the perfect suburban superwoman.
Rating:
Summary: What attention to detail!
Review: Hilarious. I'll be the first to admit that Brook's humor isn't for everyone. I've watched DYL with several people who simply didn't get it. But if you're one of the lucky ones who do, you're in for a treat. The attention to detail in the movie is mindboggling. There's so many little humorious things happening in the background of the movie alone that makes it worth seeing (eg. the car dealership in the film's beginning, the tram ride with all the pedestrians in their white tupas in the background). Brooks plays the character of the average man so well in most all of his films. This film is no exception. I hope the negative reviews he recieved for Mother won't stop him from making more of what he makes best--funny, thought provoking movies. Oh, and kudos to Rip Torn!
Rating: 
Summary: Unevolved.
Review: I expected more from this movie. Though the plot topic was intriguing; having one's life reviewed by beings of higher intelligence who decide if you can move on, it "devolved" into cheap cliches (heaven is a place in which one can gorge themself and not gain any weight... ugh, how pedestrian) and judgements based on whether one stands up for themself, nevermind being good/kind/generous, etc. Also, I thought the film was from a keenly male perspective. This somewhat oafish Al Brooks really does not seem all that charming, and I could hardly believe that Meryl Streep's character, the "good hearted" Julia, would be so entraced with his "humor" that she would find him irresistable and decide not to move on. All in all good concept and some humorous parts, but the rest was just...too unevolved to be enjoyable.
Rating:
Summary: Brooks before "Mother" killed him for real!
Review: I have always been an Albert Brooks fan (remember him in Taxi Driver?). This is my favorite film by the actor/director/writer. Intelligent, witty and profound, I've seen DYL about Twenty times and enjoy it every time. Torn, Grant and Streep also turn in excellent performances. Watch this and hope you don't have regrets when its your time to go!
Rating:
Summary: Great Film. Great Cast. No Extras.
Review: I love this film, as I didn't own it on VHS, I bought the DVD. Great transfer, no extras. Less one star.
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