Rating: Summary: Been There, Done That Review: Given the fact that Analyze This made a few bucks, was embraced by critics, and audiences alike, a sequel was a forgone conclusion. As much as I liked the first outing, at the end of Analyze That, I was left wondering why the film was given the go aheadMob boss Paul Vitti (Robert DeNiro), now in jail, starts acting a bit odd. The feds are sure he's cracking up. Perplexed, they decide to release Vitti in the care of his former therapist, Dr. Ben Sobel (Billy Crystal). As you might imagine, Vitti turns Ben and his wife Laura's (Lisa Kudrow) life upside down, as he tries to find a job. This proves more difficult as a former "associate" stops by. Directed and co-written once again by Harold Ramis, the movie proves that, what was once a hilarious premise, is now a shadow of its former self. You can smell the desperation. DeNiro hamming up his tough mob persona was funny once. Here its just more of the same. Crystal as the straight man is on auto pilot the whole time. The only bright spots come whenever Kudrow or Joe Viterelli as Jelly, Vitti's right hand man, appears on screen. The DVD has a handfull of extras. The audio commentary by Ramis is similar to the Analyze This commentary, light and fluffy. "The Making of Analyze That" featurette is typical Electronic Press Kit material. Cast and crew notes, the theatrical trailer, a clever interactive M.A.D.E. challenge game, and some DVD-ROM stuff tops off the extras. I think the title of this review says it all--as far as my recommendation is concerned
Rating: Summary: Analyze This, That, and the Other Thing... Review: "Analyze That" is proof the critics can be wrong. Which probably means you shouldn't be listening to me, either. But you are, oh well. I guess I'll have to review the movie, now. The Boss and The Shrink are back in therapy: Paul Vitti (Robert De Niro) has been locked up in Sing-Sing for 850 days. Ben Sobel (Billy Crystal) has just lost his father. That's when he gets the call from Vitti. Vitti gives him the low-down: Someone is trying to kill Vitti in jail. Sobel hangs up, Vitti gets mad, so he fakes crazy, and Sobel gets called in (since he is Vitti's psychiatrist). Sobel believes Vitti is cuckoo in the slammer, as he sees him singing tunes from "West Side Story" (one of the funniest parts in the film). So Vitti is released into the custody of Ben Sobel. But on the ride to Sobel's house, Vitti snaps out of it, only to reveal that he is not crazy, but, in fact, quite well. Now Vitti must start a new life and get a real job - that involves working "from 9 to 5!" - and find out who is trying to kill him...and why. Perhaps I am mistaken, but "Analyze That" is funnier than "Analyze This." Maybe it's just me, but I found it quite funny. I didn't think it was a "rip-off" sequel, there for "no artistic reason." Sure, it's a sequel. Of course it's not going to be an Oscar-winner for originality; I don't ask for that in a comedy. Honestly, can you think of any sequel (other than the rare "Godfather Part II" film) that is as good as the original in terms of reasons for being there? All I know is that I think "Analyze That" had some very funny moments. Take, for instance, the scenes where Vitti is trying to get a new job. He becomes a car salesman for a day, and leads around a couple, showing them a nice car. "Look at that trunk - you could fit three bodies in there!" he says. When they say they're going to think about it: "What's there to think about? You've been busting my b@lls for the last hour over this thing, asking me all these stupid questions, taking it for a test drive...so why don't you buy it?" Scenes like these are hilarious. And while there are somewhat long sequences without any laughs, the laugh-out-loud scenes more than make up for those lacking. The only thing about this film that makes me drop the rating a notch is the execution of the last half hour. Just like the first movie, they set up a ridiculous "action" ending, that isn't action at all. Its ending is overlong and goes way too long without any laughs. But that is the only thing I didn't like about the movie. De Niro and Crystal have a real chemistry, even more so here than in the first film. De Niro steals the scenes he is in, and Crystal steals the scenes he is in, and when they are both on screen, you're not sure who to look at. I find Robert De Niro's latest journeys into comedy quite funny. He made a few comedies here and there in the past, but in the last three years he's coughed out some funny movies. "Analyze This," "Meet the Parents," "Analyze That," and to a certain degree (it was okay), "Showtime." Perhaps I am confused. Maybe I need to see the first again. But having seen the original about twice, and "Analyze That" once, I can honestly say that I laughed more in "Analyze That" than I did watching "Analyze This." And if that's not a good sequel, I don't know what is. Here's to "Analyze This, That, and the Other Thing"!
Rating: Summary: Nothing New Review: If you've seen the original "Analyze This", you'll know the premise of this sequel: a mild-mannered psychiatrist serves as a foil to a supposedly tough guy mob boss who harbors unexpected vulnerability. In this film, Dr. Ben Sobel (Billy Crystal) is called to the prison where Paul Vitti (Robert DeNiro) is serving time. It seems that Vitti has suffered a psychotic break after telephoning Sobel, and the powers-that-be release Vitti into Sobel's care. Of course, there's much more hiding behind DeNiro's obsessive reenactment of "West Side Story" than a breakdown, and the viewer is once again led into the wacky world of Vitti's crime family. The problem is that the first movie had a freshness of plot and character that seem stale in the sequel. We've seen it all before - and with better plotting. It ends up being a comedy that evokes more smiles than outright laughter. DeNiro and Crystal turn in solid performances, as does Joe Viterelli as Jelly. The rest of the cast doesn't have much to work with, and it shows. Mildly funny, with some lulls and a heavy reliance on profanity, this film is a decent way to spend an evening given what's often on television, but it fails to deliver the outrageous comedy of the first.
Rating: Summary: Misses The Mark - Not As Good As The Original. Review: ANALYZE THAT was a great disappointment to me. The first film was very funny and had a clever plot. This film is also directed by Harold Ramis (Bedazzled, Multiplicity) and co-written by Peter Steinfeld (II) (Drowning Mona, Echo) , Harold Ramis (Bedazzled, Groundhog Day), and Peter Tolan (American Sweethearts, Bedazzled) and it lacks the charm and wit the first one had. Robert De Niro (Showtime, Men of Honor) once again plays the mobster Paul Viti and convinces the penal system that he is losing his mind and needing the help of his original therapist Billy Crystal (The Princess Bride, City Slickers). Totally forced into the situation by the government and against his wife's wishes (played by Lisa Kudrow (Friends, Michelle's Wedding)) the movie takes a small dive into the predictable. There were funny moments and not many bits that remain with you when the film is over. I was disappointed. The credits have a short little blooper real that is pretty funny on its own. It could have been better. ...
Rating: Summary: A Few Good Laughs Review: Analyze That features two good performances from Billy Crystal and Robert De Niro. Its kind of refreshing to see De Nero doing comedic work. The parts where De Nero's character acts out scenes from West Side Story are quite funny. Crystal gives us his usual amusing schtick about self guilt particulalry in the relationships with his late father and wife. The story however is helter skelter where De Nero's mob boss character seems to shift gears too much from amusing fool to hard ass mob boss and all points in between. This can be more annoying than funny although there are some cute moments. However, there is little variation from the Jelly's character gives the film a light hearted touch. Therefore, this movie stands in the middle of the pack.
Rating: Summary: Competant DVD, mediocre movie Review: This DVD is a well-produced disc, containing a breezy commentary with the wonderful Harold Ramis, an amusing quiz to test your mob capability, and a standard behind-the-scenes featurette and trailer. Video quality and sound is good, just as you'd expect most modern DVDs. The movie, unfortunately, is not quite as well-made as the disc. The first movie had the advantage of originality, pairing Robert De Niro and Billy Crystal for the first time with snappy dialog and interesting situations. I hate to say it, but you, Analyze That, you... you're not so good, you. With the main action of the movie based around a "Sopranos" TV show look-alike, Little Caesar, the movie about the mafia makes fun of a TV show about the mafia. I don't know why they'd feel the need to do this... the lead actor in the TV show "Little Caesar" is from Australia (though Italian), making fun of actors who really aren't Italian trying to pass off as the genuine article. However, all the actors on the Sopranos pretty much are the real thing, aren't they? I don't get why you'd need to make fun of it... it's definitely not saying anything to me, though I don't watch the Sopranos. Maybe I need a few season history to catch more of the jokes... Some snappy dialog is exchanged between DeNiro and Crystal... and again, as many others have said, Lisa Kudrow is essentially shoved in a corner, not getting a chance to show her considerable comedic skill. It's a shame, too, because too much of this movie seems ... well... not funny. You're looking for a laugh, since you think it's supposed to be a light-hearted Billy Crystal romp... but it just doesn't come off as that effectively enough. Even with a pretty average to sub-par comedy, the music will have you rockin'. Done by David Holmes, the soundtrack here is very much in the same vein as the Clooney/Pitt Ocean's Eleven. Very deep beats. The beginning 20 minutes or so start off well enough, but the movie just dragged after that. If you get it, wait until you get to see a catatonic Robert DeNiro, and then consider popping in the original or watching a new episode of the Sopranos.
Rating: Summary: Nothing New Review: If you've seen the original "Analyze This", you'll know the premise of this sequel: a mild-mannered psychiatrist serves as a foil to a supposedly tough guy mob boss who harbors unexpected vulnerability. In this film, Dr. Ben Sobel (Billy Crystal) is called to the prison where Paul Vitti (Robert DeNiro) is serving time. It seems that Vitti has suffered a psychotic break after telephoning Sobel, and the powers-that-be release Vitti into Sobel's care. Of course, there's much more hiding behind DeNiro's obsessive reenactment of "West Side Story" than a breakdown, and the viewer is once again led into the wacky world of Vitti's crime family. The problem is that the first movie had a freshness of plot and character that seem stale in the sequel. We've seen it all before - and with better plotting. It ends up being a comedy that evokes more smiles than outright laughter. DeNiro and Crystal turn in solid performances, as does Joe Viterelli as Jelly. The rest of the cast doesn't have much to work with, and it shows. Mildly funny, with some lulls and a heavy reliance on profanity, this film is a decent way to spend an evening given what's often on television, but it fails to deliver the outrageous comedy of the first.
Rating: Summary: DeNiro is HUGE Comic Talent Review: The script needed more work. Billy Crystal is hardly funny at all and serves more as a prop for Deniro. Yes, these are all flaws but one thing will keep you laughing through most of the movie: Robert DeNiro is a comedic treasure. No, it was no fluke with his terrific comedy turns in "King of Comedy," "Meet the Parents," and "Analyze This." The man is as brilliant a comic as he is a dramatic actor. The film starts off with someone attempting to kill him while he's serving his sentence in Sing-Sing and his going nuts as a result, being put in a padded cell where he performs non-stop every song from "West Side Story." When he isn't singing, he's in a catatonic state where he fixes his face into that of a bassett hound's droopy face. From there, you see him attempt to hold down minimum wage jobs on the outside to satisfy parole but his "true" nature emerges with every attempt and he "smashes" off the job. Hard to believe that this man emerged from parents who were both fine artists, the father a well known abstract expressionist painter in New York. Should you wait for it on DVD? You easily can but if you are having a bad day and need some laughs, DeNiro will provide them. Crystal just is not in the same league and that shows whenever he is on camera without DeNiro. I used to think Crystal was really funny and now can't figure out why.
Rating: Summary: A Minus 5 .....Twice Review: Well its not often I fall asleep with utter bordom, but I did with this one *yawn*, 20 minutes into the movie, I hit the DVD player reject button, this Movie was so.o.oooo Unfunny and a boring piece of B-S , the DVD Cover's was the only good thing going for it, sorry Billy, Better luck next time :) "Analyze this" gets the big thumbs down as well, I couldnt even give the 2 DVD's away, Hmmmmmm Ohh well, I guess they make Good Coffee Cup Mats..... so not all is lost :)
Rating: Summary: A few occasional laughs Review: Original movie 'Analyze this' wasn't a masterpiece but was still decent. This sequel is worse. There is no enough materials here for Robert de Niro and Billy Crystal to work with (it's sad to see more and more movies with Robert De Niro that do not deserve his talent). I have seen already all de Niro facial expression in the first movie (where it was funny) and it just doesn't work for the second time. The plot is quite pathetic. Lisa Kudrow, unfortunately, doesn't do very well here. Overall, it's worth to watch only if you have nothing to do and no other movie is available.
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