Quick Change

Funny remake starring Bill Murray, Geena Davis and Randy Quaid as down-on-their-luck thieves who rob a bank and then have a hard time getting out of NYC. Funny from beginning to end. Well, almost. The last twenty minutes or so seem to drag a bit. But I loved the first 3/4, and the opening sequence is tremendous!

Bill Murray is very funny and Randy Quaid is a likable goofball. Geena Davis manages to impress but the real star is Murray, as always. All in all a pleasant way to spend an evening and certainly a memorable comedy--if a slightly uneven one.

4/5 stars.

• John Ulmer

This one is absolutely chocked full of accomplished writing, unforgettably comic performances, unexpectedly clever situations, and hilarious slapstick comedy.

It only slows when the script turns to unnecessary melodrama. Otherwise it's combination of witty dialog, drool understated delivery by Murray and fast pacing keep this a fascinating wild farce that surprises in almost every scene. Check out Philip Bosco as the anal retentive bus driver, Tony Shalhoub as the whacked out cab driver who because he cant speak a word of English must communicate in wild pantomime. There are so many fine comic performances that I tend to lose track of them.

Too bad it did not do better at the box office. Maybe it was ahead of it's time. Were it released today it might have had a better chance..

Don't debate, rent it on DVD and watch it over and over!

I've seen this movie a few times, and I always get some good laughs out of it. It's not a genuinely hilarious comedy, yet it earns its laughs honestly, unlike most of the silly fluff that comes out recently. Bill Murray is in top form. Randy Quaid steals some scenes, and Geena Davis and Jason Robards top off a fine supporting cast. I liked the way the movie poked fun at New York City, being that 90 percent of the bystanders in each scene are complete wackos. Don't get me wrong, New York is a great city, but anyone who has lived in or spent a lot of time in NYC should have a good time with the little inside gags. I loved the theme song, and the little surprise at the end was pretty nifty. If you want good, solid comedy that you can laugh with, rather than at, "Quick Change" is the film for you.

My score: 7 (out of 10)

This movie is, combined with some popcorn and a coke, perfect for an enjoyable TV evening. But I wouldn't recommend watching this movie on the big screen, because the irritating character Loomis, played by Randy Quaid, will attract too much attention. I noticed how everytime Quaid said something (mostly while nodding his head hysterically or while jumping around) my eyes focused on something else than the TV, and it's hard to focus on something else when all you can see is the big screen in front of you. I know the character needs to be like that but it still irritates me.

Bill Murray however acts almost perfect. He has to play, as usual, the guy who makes sarcastic remarks or who acts like nothing has happened when everything goes wrong, and he's so damn good at it. Geena Davis has a crappy part, with a character that almost constantly changes her opinion, but she still manages to make something out of it.

There's nothing specific to say about directing or music or whatever, those are the quite-good-but-nothing-special-type of things that make this movie perfect for TV.

7/10

Not many people I've talked to have seen "Quick Change". It wasn't really a hit, which is what makes it such a nice surprise when you see a film like this which is very funny. Maybe that's partially why I enjoyed the film so much, as it makes me feel a little bit like a pirate who's discovered lost treasure, or like an explorer who's conquered uncharted territory.

It may not be Bill Murray's best, but it's pretty good. But make no mistake, this is a Bill Murray movie, he even co-directed it, and if you don't like him in general, then this film isn't likely to make a convert out of you. I've always been a fan, and try to forgive certain transgressions like "Larger Than Life" or "The Man Who Knew Too Little" which are the kinds of films I avoid completely for fear that it will taint my high regard for Mr. Murray. They might be good, but I'm not taking any chances without some seriously reliable source that assures me they aren't merely "paycheques" for those involved. But in case some of you think the man has lost it, never to recapture any of his past glory, probably you should check out "Rushmore," and see a true master at work.

"Quick Change" has a story that is fun and the lines are executed with razor sharp comic timing. So what if some of the characters are one-dimensional? It gets the job done and sets up the bits and not in a low-brow kind of way.

I'd be interested to hear what New York residents think of this film, as its story revolves around three people who just want to escape New York forever and find that robbing a bank is easier than making it to the airport.

So if you consider yourself a member of the Bill Murray fan club, check this one out and you'll probably enjoy it. He's got plenty of support from some talented comedic actors including Tony Shalhoub, Stanley Tucci, Phil Hartman, Jason Robards and of course Randy Quaid and Geena Davis.