Jekyll and Hyde... Together Again

alot of people will not enjoy this movie, but it is not due to a lack of humor. it is filled with drug/sex jokes and references which would turn off lots of conservative minded viewers but if theses things dont bother you, this movie is hilarious. it is reminiscent of airplane (anything zucker) but also has elements of python-style surrealisim. the transformation scene, complete with erection and jewelry is classic and his colleague's (thomerson's) gradual breakdown/outing are priceless. blankfield's hyde is classic and should have had him working for years. in summary, how can you not like a villan who, when confronted with a woman screaming "RAPE!" responds "later, if there's time"

This was the funniest movie in the world when I was 8 years old. Now, not so much. Dr. Jekyll (Mark Blankfield) inadvertently snorts a powder he was mixing and becomes the disco-bopping, sex crazed Mr. Hyde. That is really all there is to this remixing of the Stevenson novel and THE NUTTY PROFESSOR. Director Jerry Belson throws out gags every 30 seconds and I'd say one out of three work. Blankfield truly has the energy for the part, that is for sure. I wonder why he was never a bigger comedy star? Look for small roles by George Wendt, Cassandra Peterson, Lin Shaye, and Art La Fleur. Seeing it some 25 years later, the best thing about it is the performance by one of my now favorites Tim Thomerson as a smug plastic surgeon. He is hilarious.

In the tradition of those outrageously silly comedy spoofs; "Jekyll and Hyde… Together Again" seemed to fall amongst the cracks which are rather disappointing because this item has its fair share of laughs and sexual innuendo. Like most of its ilk, it can be hit or miss with its surgically placed gags but it's a lot of wacky fun to watch because of Mark Blankfield's comic performance as the straight-laced Jekyll and maniacally tripped-out Hyde. Especially the risible transformation scenes and his off-the-rocker interactions. Still he has great support in the shape of Tim Thomerson, Michael McGuire, Bess Armstrong, Krista Errickson and bit part for Cassandra Peterson aka Elvira as a busty nurse. Judging by its title, it's easy to guess how the premise will play out. Yep this is a bastardised version of Robert Louis Steven's story "The Strange Case of Doctor Jekyll and Mr Hyde", which sees the medical practice and hipster scene coming together where Dr. Jekyll struggles to harness this animal instinct in to descent thanks to the temptation of a certain white magic powder. This time it's mostly set in America, but heads to the story's basis country of origin England in the latter half. There it plays around with its source material and gives a wink to the original author. What the script snorts up is purely madcap, where one minute it would be dry then suddenly quite low-brow and then plain goofy. The dialogs are just madness. A pleasurably comical low-budget b-grade cult comedy spoof.

"Only if the animal in man could be released."

This is sweet. The actress who played the nurse with the gonzongas is the same actress who plays Elvira mistress of the dark. Another little tidbit is the actress who played the nurse who would give her wedding ring was the landlord lady of Roy Munsin in King Pin. This is most glorious story ever to be told. It should sell more copies than the bible. My parents played a part in suggesting the release of this movie to a local movie theater. The movie ran for a week and we were one of 4 families to see it. The lady who gave the go ahead (friend of the family) was let go by the theater. I was 3 years old. I have burned through 4 copies on VHS and finally had it converted to DVD. It's beautiful.

This is one of those rare comedies where try as you might, you can't help but giggle, chortle, guffaw and yes, even laugh out loud. The lead actor's performance as Hyde is pure manic genius. See if you can keep a straight face when he does his transformation. Good luck. :) On the downside there are times when the movie does bog down. It seemed longer than its 90 minutes.