A parody of espionage films from the '40s, it's Val Kilmer's first movie...

Rating: 6/10 (17 April 2010)

There are lots of laughs in this film from the Zuckers who know how to create visual gags that are even funnier if you know what film is being spoofed. The main plot (if there is one) seems to be based on a certain Hedy Lamarr film called THE CONSPIRATORS with she and Paul Henried trying to escape the Nazis during WWII's Lisbon.
Homage to a lot of other Hollywood films are scattered throughout. Fast-moving and fun loose, it's one of those films where you're waiting to see what the next gag will be.
Everyone plays their roles with a straight poker face, particularly VAL KILMER in the lead as Nick Rivers, a rip-off of Elvis Presley. He doesn't show any particular flair for comedy except when he goes into his Elvis act. Then the wooden expression vanishes and he's limber enough to give the impression that he can sing and dance with the best of them.
JEREMY KEMP does his best to look sinister as a Nazi officer and LUCY GUTTERIDGE is the pretty wide-eyed miss who gets Kilmer involved in a messy espionage situation. All of it is played for laughs and there are plenty of those, but I suspect this will appeal more to anyone who has experienced all the movies being parodied--even, for one fleeting moment, "The Wizard of Oz." Summing up: Some uneven moments but generally an enjoyable romp. Kilmer went on to better, more serious roles for the rest of his career.