Beautiful yet scandalous

Rating: 4/10 (29 April 1999)

Ancient formulas creatively mix with new elements. In particular, the humor is wonderfully tasteful. Overall, this is a darn good movie; I could go on for hours about it.
Unfortunately, it's tainted with a some rather disturbing elements. The movie closes out with a tasteless 80's-style love song. (Viewers of "The Hobbit" know that adopting music popular to an era is the surest way to kill a classic soundtrack.) Also, the sexism is disturbing. Buttercup, complete with the cheesy name, can be forgiven as the typical "bait chick". After all, as bait chicks go, she does have a few redeeming qualities and some individuality. However, even with her excluded and the time period considered, the cast is disturbingly male-dominated.
These offenses are not coincidental and hence inexcusable, but they shouldn't deter anyone from enjoying the film. It's just worth lamenting that this movie, as good as it is, could have been so much more.