Mayberry Man

The producers and actors meant well, but this is an excruciatingly dull movie from start to finish. It didn't hold my interest at all. I didn't care what happened to the characters. I didn't try to imagine how the movie was going to end. There's nothing exciting about the storyline. Several of the characters are especially annoying; when they show up I just want them to move on and come back stronger in a future scene. It's billed as a comedy but I saw nothing worthy of even a little chuckle. Did the filmmakers use a lot of 'untrained' actors? It's like they pulled people off the street? I'm confused...

The least you could have done is have it in the town Andy based it on, the same town the actual Mayberry fest is held. Mt, Airy, NC is a living tribute to the show. It's highly unfair you traded up the actual town for the Hendricks County Courthouse rather than have it in Mt. Airy itself located in actual North Carolina. Pilot Mountain, Raleigh all the real places from which the show was based. I know the DesiLu sets aren't intact but yet there will always be Mt. Airy, Andy's actual hometown. Real fans know the difference! Cheap imagery and change ups lead people to only follow the story because it refers to Mayberry. After 30 minutes in it appears to more of a cheap money grab imitation.

If you aren't over 50 years old, don't watch the movie. Almost everything is dated and is primarily for the older folks who grew up on " The Andy Griffith Show". The premise is almost identical to " Doc Hollywood ": Narcissistic actor has to stay in ancient America due to misdeed of some sort and actually learns to become human.

Read " Grinch Gets a Heart ". But after the first really slow 10 minutes, a true Mayberry fan gets to enjoy the character reminiscing and the plot slightly picks up with some Trivia tidbits tossed out and that actually makes this movie interesting. You can't help but get a warm feeling if you remember small town America without all the electronic gizmos. People actually sat outside and talked to each other, can you believe? Life was indeed simpler, and the Mayberry characters were interesting in a silly, aw shucks way.

OK. Here is the correct review of this film, omitting the extremes on both sides (hopefully), and from a typical Mayberry lover.

Yes, the storyline is cheesy while the script and much of the acting is pretty lame. That's nearly expected when the producers likely wanted to make a cheap film using non-actors. So let's give that criticism a break. What should we expect? After all, who among us wouldn't want to be in a movie about Mayberry? As for the pros, the Brett and Ashley "prof acting" characters still made for a decent and likable downhome couple. That said about the acting, I still enjoyed the film.

I will give Mayberry Man a thumbs up of 7 for the following two reasons: Barney and Floyd. These guys were perfect. How people could not see that, I don't know. Just like the show itself, when Barney and Floyd were on camera, regardless of who else was on screen with them, they stole the spotlight. Now, I am a pretty tough critic, but as the movie progresses, I found these two amiable "tribute actors' got so good they made a not so good script and imperfect film worth watching. When these two were in the squad car alone, improvising as they went, they WERE Barney and Floyd for me. And, when that happens and you can suspend belief a bit, these two amazing recreations made this trip to Mayberry all worthwhile.

Hang with It all to the end and see what I mean.

Arrogant movie star Chris Stone (Brett Varvel) still holds a grudge against his father. His father had a minor role on "The Andy Griffith Show" and a constant presence at the yearly Mayberryfest. Due to a speeding incident, Chris is sentenced to attend the festival in his father's place.

Filmmaker Stark Howell seems to be a cartoon guy who happens upon the Mayberry idea. There is good potential for this idea. Don Knotts is well represented although they really should film this in Mayberry. The town is probably too protective of the IP to allow that to happen. Sure, the budget is low and this is strictly indie filmmaking. The bigger issue is that Varvel is not a comedian. Even a grumpy lead character can be played comedically. He is simply playing it angry. This needs the jolt of humor from the lead. It's just not that funny. This is fine and most importantly for fans, it honors the show.