Rating: 
Summary: "I despise you! I LOATHE YOU!!!!" I'm Very Pleased, Indeed
Review: This movie is a prime example of why I never listen to professional critics. Most of the time, they hate movies that I love and love movies that I hate. Of course this movie isn't going to win any Acadamy Awards. Of course it isn't the best film ever. It's not trying to be. I found "Death to Smoochy" to be a dark and entertaining comedy with a really creative story. Robin Williams and Edward Norton star in this off-the-wall freak show directed by Danny DeVito.Williams used to be "Rainbow Randolph;" a kiddie-show host who children just adored. That is, until he was busted for taking a bribe. Now the not so rainbow man is out of the job and is homeless. Out of an act of desperate measures, the company decides to hire Edward Norton; a dorky self-righteous dweeb without a single skeleton hiding in his closet. A new kiddie-show host is born, and his name is "Smoochy the Rhino." Well, Rainbow Randolph is not pleased at all. In fact, he's willing to take the rhino down for good. Because he's going hunting! The story unfolds with some of the most outrageous twists and turns to be seen in a comedy in a long time. The acting is really good, and is right for this type of movie. Williams is over-the-top as always, and Norton really gives us the impression of such a moral imbecile, he makes Ned Flanders look like a no good hoodlum! The cast also inculdes Jon Stewart, Catherine Keener, and Danny DeVito himself. They all do this movie justice. The directing by DeVito really shines in this movie. Had it been given to anyone else, it could've been a disaster. He knew when to have the actors take it up a notch and then tone it down when the time was right. I also really liked how the movie was filmed. At one minute, the movie would be bright and colorful, and then dark and grim the next. It really keeps the viewer's attention. The DVD is quite good. Very surprised with it. As I said before, Warner Bros. usually likes to hold back when it comes to special features, but there's a lot on this one. Some of the features include commentary from the director and director of photography, additional scenes, bloopers and outtakes, trailers, and many more. I especially got a kick out of the bloopers and outtakes. Just wished it was a little longer. So, if you're looking for an artistic movie or one that's going to win a few Oscars, then skip this movie. If you're looking for an off-the-wall dark comedy with a creative plot and story, then "Death to Smoochy" just may be the movie for you. Yes, I feel there could've been things done to make the movie better, but I was really pleased with the overall product. A very strange and bizarre movie it is, but that's the kind of movie I love.
Rating: 
Summary: Brilliantly, ingeniously twisted...
Review: This film boasts one of Robin William's finest comedic performances, as a scorned ex-kiddie show host hell-bent on revenge, as well as some excellent, hilarious work from the likes of Ed Norton, Danny DeVito, and Jon Stewart. It also boasts amazing directing from Danny DeVito, in this, his most accessible (yet still, thankfully, demented) work yet. This film is a freewheeling satire of the dumbing-down and commercialization of children's television, and has a ball taking pot shots as such kiddie pop culture travesties as Barney the Dinosaur. The twists and turns that the plot takes are not only completely unpredictable, but hilarious to boot, as our beloved purple...um...rhino, gets involved with everything from the Irish Mafia to the Ice Capades. There a few moments in this film where you will literally need to have your jaw scraped off the floor, and also hold your sides, in pain, from laughing too hard. Now, not everybody enjoys or "gets" this type of humor. If you are a fan of very dark comedy, I would recommend you pick this film up instantly. If you're not, you just might find yourself not enjoying yourself very much.
Rating:
Summary: Sick, twisted genius.
Review: Death to Smoochy (Danny DeVito, 2002) Death to Smoochy is sick, twisted, wrong in every conceivable way. It's also the meanest, ugliest, and downright funniest comedy I've seen since Being John Malkovich. While the movie initially got a great deal of bad press, that is slowly being rectified as more people who shied away thanks to negative critical reviews at first are discovering this gem. I should have known better, as I'll watch Ed Norton in anything, but it took even me this long to finally see the thing. Rainbow Randolph (Robin Williams) is a kids' TV host with a weakness for bribes; he accepts them to get kids on the show. He is arrested immediately after the movie starts, leaving his network with an empty time slot. The show's producers, Mona (Catherine Keener) and Frank (Jon Stewart) need a replacement with integrity. They find it in Sheldon Mopes, aka Smoochy the Rhino (Edward Norton). But you get the inevitable question: what happens when you put someone with a strong sense of ethics and principles into a field as corrupt as television, especially when dealing with the kids' market? Nastiness, and hilarity, ensues. Not only does Randolph want his slot back and is willing to do anything to get it, but the shadowy head of Parade of Hope, Merv Green (Harvey Fierstein), is after Smoochy to do benefit work once the show takes off. All Smoochy wants to do is help the kids understand that organic food is good and step-parents need love, too (and other such things, in a series of songs that are worth the price of admission alone). Excellent supporting roles by DeVito, Vincent Schiavelli, Michael Rispoli, Pam Ferris, and many others make this simply a joy to watch. I'll warn you now, though, Death to Smoochy seems to inspire love-it-or-hate-it reactions. It's obviously not for everyone. But I think if you liked Very Bad Things or thought Being John Malkovich was one of the funniest things you'd ever seen, this is probably going to be right up your alley. Ignore the critics and give it a try. ****
Rating:
Summary: I don't know why, but I liked it
Review: I was very hestitent to see "Death to Smoochy" at first after all the awful reviews I had read. But I love dark comedies, so I thought I mine as well just go with an open mind. I do not regret going.
This movie, about the dark side of childrens entertainment, is funny as hell and I think that Danny Devito is really growing on me as a director. Robin Williams is excellent in it as Rainbow Randolph, a drunken childrens show host that has been fired for taking paola. Williams really shines in this role and gives one of his funniest film performances since Terry Gilliams "The Fisher King". Edward Norton is one of my favorite actors, and he is great in this as a happy go-lucky barney wannabe.
Now let's get back to the funny as hell remark. The comedy isn't for everybody. It's not that gross out comedy nor is it a laugh a minute comedy. It's just a flat out good comedy, which I think have been running in short supply theese days.
I was very suprised that I liked this movie so much, I mean I've hated just about everything hollywood has put out in the last 10 years. So go with an open mind, and enjoy.
Rating:
Summary: Dark Comedy benefits Terrific Comedic Performances.
Review: After being fired, An Selazy Ex-Host (Oscar-WInner:Robin Williams) of a Popular T.V Kids Show Host tries to plot a Revenge against his Barney-Like replacement (Edward Norton). This guy, who's is ultra sincere doesn't know that his bosses or the people he trusts are corrupted and are exploiting him. Directed by Danny DeVito (Matilda, Throw Mamma Out of the Train, War of the Roses) made a amusing dark comedy that is not for everyone's taste because of the Vulgarity Subject Matter. Williams is fun in his often crude role. Norton is surprisingly amusing as the mild-mannered folksinger. This was One of the Biggest Box Office Disappointment of 2002 but it's centainly more successful on Video. Do not miss this often darkly hilarious film. Written by Adam Resnick (Lucky Numbers). Grade:A-.
Rating:
Summary: Just Plain Funny -- Reminds me a bit of 'Get Shorty'
Review: There are a ton of reviews here on this movie, so I won't expound too much on this. This is a funny movie. If you like comedy, you'll enjoy this. I don't know if it classifies as a 'Dark Comedy', because it's not really dark. It reminds me a bit of the nature of Get Shorty. Robin Williams, Danny DeVito, Edward Norton, Jon Stewart -- all perform brilliantly. Robin Williams is a riot. Just buy the movie.
Rating:
Summary: Light hearted .. hilarious ... hidden gem
Review: Fabulously written and well acted this is the kind of movie the whole family can enjoy while just whiling away a lazy Sunday afternoon ..... I don't know if this was Danny DeVitos directorial debut but certainly this well known actor has managed to capture the crazy world of children's television and their caricature hosts. Certainly Pee Wee herman, and for the more mature among us, Soupy Sales will come to mind ...... In a nutshell, Robin Williams is a very successfull kids show host 'Rainbow Randolph' that get uncermoniously canned the minute they catch him taking bribes from parents wanting kids to get on his super popular show. The network then in a bind quickly hires the antitehisis of Rainbow a super squeaky clean Smootchie played by Edward Norton. This of course is the premise of the show that Ranbow Randolph wants his old job back and he has to kill Smootchie to get it Robin Williams was absolutely fabulous and I was very happy to see that the director managed to hold him back from just plain domieering any show or movie that Robin appears on. I believe that Edward Norton playing Smootchie was absolutely simply fabulous and funny ....
Rating:
Summary: Twisted humor with an honest heart
Review: This hilarious skewering of kids television is refreshing even among dark comedies. Rainbow Randolph (Robin Williams) has lost it all - television show, penthouse, reputation - when his network producer (Catherine Keener) finds Sheldon Mopes (Edward Norton) singing in a homemade costume in a methadone clinic. She brings him aboard KidNet as Smoochy, dresses him up, gives him an elaborate, colorful set, and launches a career. The trouble is, Sheldon is naive, and wants only to teach children about the benefits of organic food, tolerance, and anti-consumerism. And Rainbow Randolph has dedicated his every waking minute to orchestrating his downfall. Throw in Danny DeVito as Smoochy's corrupt, power-hungry agent, a Irish mob protecting a lovable, brain-damaged boxer who loves Smoochy, the head of a children's charity capable of murder, and a string of has-been children's television performers - and you've got a twisted, laugh out loud black comedy that is like nothing else I've seen. Even Barney-haters will love the clips from Smoochy's show since Sheldon believes so completely in goodness. He really wants to change the world, in his politically correct, strict vegetarian way. When he sings, "Your stepfather is not mean/(chorus of kids) He's just adjusting," it's hilarious. His wholesome image contrasts dramatically with the foul-mouthed, cynical, and even murderous characters around him. Robin Williams turns in an excellent grungy performance as Randolph. Edward Norton is completely believable and lovable as Sheldon/Smoochy, even when the corruption around him begins to affect him. Catherine Keener has just the right mix of hard-nosed corporate greed, cynicism, and the ability to be won over by a good children's song. Danny DeVito is the kind of seedy character he always plays; his real contribution to this film is as its director, and he does a fabulous job. The set and costume designs are notable as well. You need a twisted sense of humor to fully appreciate this film. Oddly, despite the premise, this is not a mean comedy. Randolph's murderous impulses, while ugly, are off-set by Sheldon's honest attempts to protect the sanctity of children's television. If you're looking for an off-beat comedy, you've found your film.
Rating:
Summary: surprisingly funny
Review: I love this movie. I can't fully explain why, but I just do. I can tell from the average rating that my opinion isn't shared lol I think people tried to take this movie more seriously than necessary. It was over the top. It wasn't believable. The characters were pretty shallow. I admit all of that. But, that's what made it so funny. I mean... Edward Norton... as Barney basically. I love how the characters all seem at least a little insane. I mean, don't you think the people doing those shows are a little insane? I know I do. This movie is all about poking fun at that notion. Just watch it without trying to psychoanalyze everything. While it doesn't pop into my mind as one of the most entertaining films of all time... I can't help but watch it when it comes on HBO. It comes on, I stop what I'm doing, and watch the rest of it. Every time. And every time I laugh. And there are lots of movies that come on that I'd say are better, but yet they don't stop me and cause me to sit down and watch them for the umpteenth time. It's definitely one of those under rated movies that you yourself will probably under rate. Yet still... it's just good somehow.
Rating:
Summary: EXTREMELY UNDERRATED!!
Review: The story revolves around two childhood heroes, who are Rainbow Randolph ( Robin Williams) and Sheldon Mopes aka Smoochy (Edward Norton). Randolph gets his hand caught in the "cookie jar" taking a bribe to get a kid on his show. The parents turn out to be FBI agents and arrest him. The kiddie network run by John Stewart, needs to find a new character to put in the slot. So they hunt down Sheldon Mopes playing Smoochy at a local drug addict clinic. They put him on the air as a joke, and he turns out to be a success. As Smoochy's popularity begins to rise, Randolph becomes determined to get his spot back by any means necessary!! As hard as this is for me to admit, I really enjoyed Death to Smoochy. Before I watched this film, I was sitting in the same boat as everyone else. I thought that there was no possible way for this movie to be any good at all. However, after I finished with the movie, I was literally stunned at how great it turned out to be. The movie has to be one of the most underrated films ever made. The reason that it has not been received better, is because people skip the film all together. The film really made me laugh and you actually stay involved in the story. Robin Williams gives his best comic performance that I have seen in awhile. In fact, it was very similar to his performance in "The Fisher King". He is twisted, demented, and mentally unstable. Edward Norton, Catherine Keener, Danny DeVito, and the rest of the cast are all good as well. The only piece of advice I can give with this movie is to give it a chance and ignore what you have heard. If you give the film a chance, you might actually end up liking it. The DVD actually has some pretty good extras that include a behind the scenes documentary, deleted scenes, outtakes, and more.
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