A simpleton inventor becomes a superhero with a bulletproof costume and a low budget.A simpleton inventor becomes a superhero with a bulletproof costume and a low budget.A simpleton inventor becomes a superhero with a bulletproof costume and a low budget.
Joseph Vassallo
- Tony the Match
- (as Joe Vassallo)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
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Featured reviews
Mildy Amusing
I found the character a bit annoying. The voice and the over the top awkwardness mostly.
On the bright side, the story was cute. Basically, a super hero parody, but on the light side. An event in the awkward and geeky Darrel's (sp?) life made him want to make a difference in the world. A lab accident led to a formula which made him somewhat indestructible.
Where the movie shined, was in some pretty good comic moments. The rorshach test was funny. There was a scene I am pretty sure was stolen from Live and Let Die, where the voodoo guy comes out of the ground. Just to name some.
There are better superhero movies. Some of the humor falls flat, or is cliché. The movie lacks focus at times, as another reviewer pointed out.
But if you want a mindless tribute to Batman (the campy TV version,) and like movie on the light hearted side, you might like this one. Very little mean humor, swearing, adult and potty humor, which in itself, is refreshing (I like that stuff from time to time, but I also like it when a movie makes do without it for a change of pace.)
On the bright side, the story was cute. Basically, a super hero parody, but on the light side. An event in the awkward and geeky Darrel's (sp?) life made him want to make a difference in the world. A lab accident led to a formula which made him somewhat indestructible.
Where the movie shined, was in some pretty good comic moments. The rorshach test was funny. There was a scene I am pretty sure was stolen from Live and Let Die, where the voodoo guy comes out of the ground. Just to name some.
There are better superhero movies. Some of the humor falls flat, or is cliché. The movie lacks focus at times, as another reviewer pointed out.
But if you want a mindless tribute to Batman (the campy TV version,) and like movie on the light hearted side, you might like this one. Very little mean humor, swearing, adult and potty humor, which in itself, is refreshing (I like that stuff from time to time, but I also like it when a movie makes do without it for a change of pace.)
Robin Givens provides the sexiness in "Blankman."
In "Blankman," Damon Wayans provides the laughs as a nerdy inventor who, through use of gadgets he's devised in his own home, becomes a costumed superhero who "heroically" rescues his hometown from corrupt influences. Yet it's Robin Givens as intrepid TV journalist Kimberly Jonz who gives said flick its charm and its sex appeal. As the reporter who breaks the story of Blankman and serves as the film's Lois Lane, she deftly employs her stylish beauty, her high-toned sexiness, and her stiletto-sharp intelligence to create an intensely desirable counterbalance to Wayans's out-there funniness. When Wayans, after having spent an evening with Robin's Kimberly, tells his ever-dubious brother, portrayed by David Alan Grier: "When she (Kimberly) stuck her tongue down my throat, it was only there a few minutes," a considerable part of us fiercely wishes that we could have been in his shoes. In sum, while Damon Wayans is undoubtedly the comedic center of "Blankman," Robin Givens, as the film's aforementioned ace reporter, proves once again that she is without question the queen of the black celebrity/entertainment world.
A wacky spoof of old superhero films
Damon Wayans has a rather odd role here but he manages to amuse fairly enough in this 1994 Columbia Pictures release. Wayans portrays an average guy with big ideas but he never seems to get any recognition for them so he decides to make an attempt at being a media celebrity by going around town in his underwear and fighting crime under the alter ego, Blankman. It's highly bizarre but also fairly funny. The hilarious David Alan Grier is also on hand costarring as Blankman's sidekick.
Utterly Bizarre
Seriously - this is one of the most bizarre films I have ever seen. What does it want to be? A super hero pastiche? Race issues comedy? Surreal wack-fun? Not sure how favourably it can be compared to other flicks such as Meteor Man or Brother From Another Planet. There are some pretty original jokes and situations, and some very unsubtle moments which still work. it held my interest for a while, but the tone seemed all over the place. Still it has Jason (George from Seinfeld, Duckman) in it.
"Ugggh!! You mean I have to see her... thingie??!!"
Damon Wayans cuts it up as a (Grand)Mama's Boy with dreams of being a crimefighting superhero. David Alan Grier dreams of busting out his Mack Daddy on the star reporter (Givens) at the TV station where he works as a cameraman. Sprinkle liberally with "The Return of Duckman" -- Jason Alexander in the guise of Grier's producer, and as caustic as the quack ever was -- and throw in lots of junk... but it's *great* junk. With his wringer-equipped, flashlight-eyed, wrist-remote-controlled 1950's era automatic washing machine robo-buddy J5, Blankman (Wayans) creates an aura of mystique and cobbled together super-gadgets that would make Batman wonder "Where did he get all that junk?" (see also "Spiculum of Life") while making his neighborhood safer for his children. Nevermind that he's still a virgin. A gloriously campy superhero gigglefest that will at some point touch the heart and mind of every kid (grown up and otherwise) who wanted to open a can of whoop-ass in snazzy duds with groovy toys, then retreat back to your secret Super-Do-Gooder Hideout. Plenty of physical comedy to keep you chuckling, tricks and traps ingenious enough to qualify as "Diabolical Disastrous Doom... will our heroes be back next week?". An excellent rental.
Did you know
- TriviaYoung Darryl and Kevin are both played by Damon Wayans's sons.
- GoofsThe glass door in the studio shatters before J-5 makes contact with it.
- How long is Blankman?Powered by Alexa
Details
Box office
- Budget
- $30,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $7,941,977
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $3,715,480
- Aug 21, 1994
- Gross worldwide
- $7,941,977
- Runtime
- 1h 32m(92 min)
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1
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