The Experts

This has to be one of the most patently laughable cold war induced pieces of tripe I have ever seen. The principal idea of a seemingly 50's American town which is secretly in Russia with none of the inhabitants being aware is not a particularly bad one if it had been treated with a different director, different cast and not as a comedy. I defy anyone to watch Travolta's "I love America..." speech without falling into uncontrollable fits of laughter, the problem is that bit isn't supposed to be funny.

The movie is good albeit stupid, and it features the real life hook-up of Kelly Preston and John Travolta. I have this movie on VHS because I don't think it is even released on DVD yet. It sits on my shelf 364 days a year, but about once a year, it gets pulled off and watched. If you like this movie, you probably like The Adventures of Ford Fairlane, Baseketball, and most of Kevin Smith's movies. It is funny to see what was "hip" in the late eighties. Travolta's snakeskin cowboy boots with the stainless steel tip, and Gross's bandana and vanilla ice pants. And need we forget, MULLETS GALORE. And GREASY MULLETS, at that! No real chemistry between the two main stars, although laughably Gross was a star on the rise here, and Travolta's career hadn't hit its second wind yet.

Everyone always says, "It's a fun movie, but don't expect Oscar material" about these silly little movies. If you are expecting a silly movie about two dim-witted New Yorkers who think they are going to Nebraska to start a nightclub, but have really been abducted by the KGB to inject a little late '80's cachet to a Soviet Operative training town trapped in the '50's, who then fall in love with the wholesome, caring "townspeople" (two of them in particular), and learn the formula late '80's message of understanding and communication, you'll have a great afternoon. If you are expecting Oscar material, I'm afraid you may have been living in a Soviet training camp. This movie is fun, funny and as good as the genre gets. Nice performances turned in all around, and the dance scene everyone is drooling over really is kind of hot.

This is one of those movies that basically got lost in the crowd. I guess the only thing that came out of this movie is John Travolta and Kelly Preston! They met on the sets of The Experts, and soon afterwards..the wedding bells rung! I would'nt watch this movie if I were you...it's nothing special.

This is one of those silly movies that you can enjoy without too much concentration. I've always thought that Ayre Gross is under-recognized, so that's part of my reason for liking this. I thought it was kind of fun; light and fluffy. Maybe you shouldn't seek it out, but if it shows up on TBS one night, try it. You may just like it. It appeals to the fantasist in me. It requires the same suspension of disbelief that made Footloose such a hit; the entire premise is ridiculous, but who cares? This is the reason people see movies - pure entertainment, no education, no controversy, nothing to discuss later. Just get comfy on the couch with a snack and relax for ninety minutes or so.