Paramedics

My review was written in October 1988 after watching the movie on Vestron video cassette.

A formula comedy in the worn out "service" vein mined successfully in many features following the success of "Stripes" and "Police Academy", "Paramedics" has little to offer beyond technical expertise and an above average son score spotlighting Jim Messina.

George Newbern and Christopher McDonad are the peppy leads in this episodic exercise, sent to work by their mean boss John P. Rya in South Central in the tough part of town (nicely lensed in Dallas). Pic posits the as heroic rule-breakers, in this instance foiling a gang of cardboard meanies who are trafficking illicitly in human organs.

Though earning a PG-a3 rating, pic has the same quota of titillating sex comedy and topless footage of the genre's R entries. Main emphasis is on chasing around in the paramedics' ambulance vehicles, with an awards ceremony finale right out of the "Police Academy" textbook.

Actor-turned-director Stuart Magolin gets some laughs with some well-timed gags but audiences are tired of these lookalike comedy efforts.

One of the most underrated suspense comedy of it time, "Paramedics" not only delivers laughs, but lets us probe into the fast paced workings of a paramedics life. Suspense and realistic accuracy usually doesn't yield good comedy, but "Paramedics" proves the exception to the rule. Director Staurt Margolin does an excellent job of combining the gritty, touch-and-go lifesaving (think "Bringing Out the Dead") with a heartfelt, aloof humor that seems to blend seamlessly into itself. For those of you who are technical nerds, have no fear! There is plenty of medical-speak spaced between heart-beating action. Whatever tickles your fancy, whether it be fierce, down to the second action, or good natured giggles, "Paramedics" has something for everyone. I highly recommend it.

Ah, paramedics. Is there anything they can't do?

Quite possibly the best film ever made featuring rapping white ambulance attendants - in fact, I think rap and hip-hop music in general received a monumental boost in its quest for legitimacy after Uptown and Mad Mike belted their street-savvy showstopper at the conclusion of Paramedics. Magnifique! And to the agent out there representing the Fat Boys? Shame on you! What a perfect vehicle for those crazy corpulants this would've been. One can only sit and think about it.

Please, PLEASE regard all of this as sarcasm and steer clear of this trash. Peace out.

Stuart Margolin makes his most breathtaking, undisciplined work in his unfortunately overlooked farcical chronicle of American paramedic life in South Central during the decadent and confusing mid-1980's. Margolin innovative use of experimental lighting techniques and lenses developed by NASA to translate Los Angeles'city scape will leave you rocked with emotion and begging for more. Christopher McDonald is in top form delivering a seamless portrayal of Mad Mike: a jaded but dedicated paramedic struggling to maintain a grasp on his fleeting morals in face of the demands in a decaying and stubbornly self-destructive society. Along with a powerhouse performance by George Newbern as Uptown, Mad Mike's partner returning to his once prosperous neighborhood to clean up dead children laid to waste by gang warfare. If you like this film as much as I do, do yourself a favor and get a copy of Margolin's next film 1990's B.L. Stryker: Plates starring Alfie Wise, Ossie Davis and Burt Reynolds, another unrecognized experimental classic.

The 1980's, and glorious time for the low rent, b level film. It looked low budget, and it still, in most cases, entertained. There were many of these types of films made in the 80's from one shot studios and film companies. The wealth of no name actors made them special. In the 90's however, this slowly faded away till now, when you can't tell a b level film from a mainstream one because of advanced technology. the actors don't look much different then the a list counterparts, and thus, everything seems cookie cutter production.

Paramedics takes us back to the time in which b films were made low budget, with strained story lines, hot young starlets willing to bare breasts for stardom. Though two such women in question, Elaine Wilkes, and Lydie Denier don't do nude scenes in Paramedics, a pg-13 b film gem, (though Denier does an up the skirt shot when she jumps from the ambulance), it's still worth it. And why the lovely, and very leggy Wilkes quit movie making after this is a head scratcher.

Forget the been there done that storyline of two renegade paramedics who manage to keep their jobs while single handedly thwarting a body organ theft ring. The film just entertains, and is great escapism, taking 90 minutes in exchange for a few laughs, and enjoyable entertainment. George Newbern and Christopher McDonald had the look of possibly a great comedy team, and alas, they never did another film as a team. Karen Whitter as the femme fa-tale who causes accidents via sex, would make anyone want to go along for the ride.

Overall, the film is funny, and never takes itself seriously for a second. SO flashback to a time when b movies meant something. Watch Paramedics, and enjoy the fun! great 80's cheese!