Big Trouble

Plot synopsis:
In a high-school game of Killer (in which a student must shoot another with a squirt gun) Matt Arnold has to "shoot" classmate Jenny Herk, and decides to sneak up on her at home. By coincidence hitmen are also there to kill Arthur Herk, who has secretly embezzled money from his company. When the fake assassination attempt crosses paths with the real one, police officers Monica and Walter are called out to the resulting disturbance. Eliot Arnold, Matt's father, who was contacted by Matt's friend, Andrew, immediately feels a mutual attraction to Anne Herk (Jenny's mother), as Matt and Jenny begin to feel attracted to each other as well. The Herks' Mexican housemaid Nina, meanwhile, falls in love with a young man named Puggy, who lives in a tree on their property, after she runs from the shootings and he saves her from the hitmen.Realizing that he is the intended victim, Arthur visits arms dealers, for a weapon, but ends up with suitcase nuclear bomb. Escaped convicts Snake and Eddie, who were previously kicked out of a bar called the Jolly Jackal for disorderly conduct, hold up the bar and kidnap Arthur and Puggy (who is an employee there) for the suitcase, not knowing its contents.Meanwhile, Matt tries to "kill" Jenny in a mall parking lot, but a security guard thinks that Matt's gun is real. After the guard opens fire on them, Matt and Jenny run to the Herk house, followed by Monica and Walter, who stumble across the confusion. Eliot is called over as well.The convicts force Arthur to return to his home, where they capture everyone and tie them up. Taking Puggy and kidnapping Jenny, they leave (with the suitcase) for the Airport. Nina, who was hiding in her room, frees everyone except for Monica and Arthur (who were handcuffed to a heavy brass etagere). Shortly after, the house is visited by two FBI agents who are tracking the bomb. They free Monica and have her lead them to the airport (leaving Arthur, as he was poisoned by a hallucinogenic toad, causing him to think that his dog is possessed by Martha Stewart).The criminals reach the plane still holding Jenny hostage. Puggy manages to escape, but the bomb is enabled when going through security; as a condition of them being let through. They made security believe it was a garbage disposal. The FBI agents tell everyone that unless the bomb is retrieved soon, the plane must be shot down. They find Puggy who leads the group to the criminals' plane, which Eliot sneaks onto.Meanwhile, the two hitmen get out of the traffic jam (caused by Snake and Eddie) and reach the airport. They bump into Officer Romero, and Special Agents Greer and Seitz, knocking the hitmen's Remington Sniper Rifle out of their golf bag in the process. The FBI agents, having more serious problems, leave this to Romero since it's her "jurisdiction." Romero grabs the rifle, and removes its bolt, rendering it useless. She then tosses the rifle down, saying: "gentlemen" and leaves. Henry Desalvo remarks to Leonard that Miami sucks...but the cops are kinda nice.Eliot, having sneaked onto the plane, attacks the criminals by knocking Eddie out with a fire extinguisher and blasting the extinguisher at Snake. After being told the suitcase must be gotten off the plane, Eliot hurls it out of the now open plane door, only for Snake to leap after it. In a memorable feat of dumb luck, Snake manages to cling onto some steps still coupled to the plane. Despite Eliot's persistence in trying to convince Snake to release the suitcase, Snake shoots at him, and is then told by the pilot that the suitcase is a bomb, prompting Eliot to pull an emergency lever, decoupling said stairs. Snake (in a nod to the stubborn as a mule tale) plunges into the ocean with a defiant smile, still clinging to the bomb, which explodes safely in the water. Eliot is congratulated by the FBI, promised he will receive presidential cowboy boots and a hat, and told the events that took place will never be acknowledged.The last scene reveals what happens to the main characters: After chasing down a plane, subduing two criminals, and saving Miami from a nuclear disaster, Eliot finally won Matt's respect. Anne and Eliot get married, a week after Anne gets divorced from Arthur. Walter, after a forced strip search by idiotic ariport guards, becomes a male stripper. The two hitmen manage to get on a plane out of Miami after a series of very weird events. They claim their Miami job was the lowest point in their careers. However, they're surrounded by the fans of Florida Gators on their plane home; which was a constant joke in the film and unfortunately are delayed on the tarmac due to an obstruction on the runway which happened to be the goats that got released during the traffic jam caused previously by Snake and Eddie. Eddie goes back to jail in a prison outside of Jacksonville, but becomes friends with another dimwitted inmate who shares the same affinity for...crude jokes as Eddie does. Arthur is last seen still handcuffed and tormented by his dog.

Tags: cult, comedy, violence, flashback

Review:
I guess it didn't help that BIG TROUBLE's originally-scheduled December 2001 release was delayed due to worries that a plot involving smuggling an A-bomb through laissez-faire airport security would seem more disturbing than funny after the horrific events of 9/11/2001.
Maybe most audiences are still too spooked right now to appreciate the satiric possibilities in Sonnenfeld & Co.'s cynically funny, Billy Wilder-esque treatment of these elements -- but I hope that down the line, folks will give BIG TROUBLE a chance, because really, it's like what might have resulted if Billy Wilder had ever had an opportunity to direct The Marx Brothers.
The ensemble cast is superb, from Patrick Warburton and Janeane Garofalo as members of Miami's Finest, to Tom Sizemore and Johnny Knoxville as dunderheaded crooks, to Tim Allen and Rene Russo's chemistry as single (well, unhappily married in Russo's case) parents who get drawn into the shenanigans when their respective teenage kids Ben Foster and Zooey Deschanel (both delightful -- I wouldn't be surprised if these two became big stars someday!) accidentally foil a hit on Stanley Tucci (hilariously obnoxious as Russo's dreadful second husband) by Jack Kehler and Dennis Farina (spoofing his earlier role in Sonnenfeld's GET SHORTY adaptation).
Dave Barry, author of the book, does a really good job of portraying humor about his home town (Miami), teenagers, parents, divorce, marriage, autos, airports, difficulties of working in a strange town.
(Can't say what those are; gives too much away.)  So if you are in need of a comedy to enjoy, but which may leave a residue of some of the problems of today's world, watch "Big Trouble"..
Although I had never heard of humorist Dave Barry before I saw this movie, I had a great time watching 'Big Trouble'.Director Barry Sonnenfeld ('Men in Black', 'Get Shorty') does a great job of juggling the huge ensemble cast, and everyone (including Tim Allen) are all wonderfully funny and, it must be said, a little bit nuts.
I particularly liked Dennis Farina as a hit-man who despises Miami (where the story takes place) and Zooey Deschanel as a deadpan teenager.'Big Trouble' is outrageous fun for all, and this is a great comic ride..
The cast is great, and every character, and there are a lot of them, is memorably wonderful, including two of the most sympathetic hit men in cinematic history, one of whom is played by the ever terrific Dennis Farina.
Or better - I'd like to know, what films they regard as being funny, if not "Big Trouble".And my last remark - it's been a very long time since I've heard such a brilliant movie score as James Newton Howard had written for "Big Trouble".
It is for this reason most of all that they succeed.The strengths of this film are actors like Tim Allen, Jason Lee, Dennis Farina, and Tom Sizemore.
Whether you agree with this marketing philosophy or not, it does allow for success of a different kind, namely that it succeeds because it is so unreal that the viewer can laugh without getting disgusted by some of the characters.The things that detract from this comedy are some weak supporting actors.
While this movie is sidesplittingly funny, I found most of the humor as a big "inside joke".
The plot of a Russian arms trader working out of a small Miami bar gives the opportunity for a group of characters including a drifter, a maid, few high school kids, a couple of hit men, the fbi, the local police, a corrupt business exec, a couple of small time crooks and an ad man to all become entangled in the same search for a stolen weapon.
Like a very good host at a very good party, he doesn't need to be around a lot for the film to be a success.Kudos to Zooey Deschanel, Jason Lee, Janeane Garafalo and Tom Sizemore for strong supporting roles.
Even if you don't like Tim Allen, even if there's something tiny in it you think might bug you, don't fear; you'll love this movie.
Lots of film buffs I know turned their noses up at this film saying it was too pedestrian but I loved it.Tim Allen's opening sequence ridiculing the advertising business in Florida set the pace.It never let up.Although some of the characters seemed stock their funny moments and scenes more than made up for that deficit.Worth mentioning are the scenes with Stanley Tucci playing a greedy demented businessman suffering a frog fixation.While this ensemble cast works successfully together my Oscar vote goes to Dennis Farina.Along with the warhead he literally stole this film.Several memorable lines of dialogue including a radio call in show commentary were side splitters.Other scenes to remember include those with a Russian arms dealer/bar owner, a homeless man who resembles Jesus and a couple of mentally deranged ex-cons.
The actors are great (especially Tim Allen and Zooey Deschanel) and it just makes you laugh (with running gags as well as with jokes and 'standard' comedy)!
This film is a quirky adaptation of a Dave Barry novel with surprisingly well-written characters and blisteringly funny dialogue.
BIG TROUBLE  ***+  Comedy / Dir: Barry Sonnenfeld / Written by Dave Barry / Tim Allen, Omar Epps, Dennis Farina, Janeane GarofaloTake a pair of professional assassins, a couple of stupid criminals, two policemen, an ad agent and his son, Russian bar owners, a family, Jesus, a nuclear bomb, a cane toad, and a truckload of goats, shake well, and turn them loose in Miami.
I've never read the original novel by Dave Barry, but the movie makes the book look appealing..
Barry Sonnenfeld proves that he has a tremendous talent for timing and his cast, especially Zooey Deschanel, Johnny Knoxville, Andy Richter, and Jason Lee, prove to be more than able puppets in this smart and slick comedy show.
One of the funniest movies I've seen in a long time, full of Dave Barry's off-beat sense of humor and downright silliness.
Big Trouble is no different, as dark and funny as a movie can be.
Other films that have done this with great success have been "Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels" and the most recent "Gosford Park" I most enjoyed the hitmen characters played by Dennis Farina and his side kick and the Big Burly Cop. Mr.Uxo's Take: 4/4 stars, As good as any dark comedy can be..
The cast is hilarious, the ironic situations that keep popping it up expertly written, and the one liners and running gags keep you laughing throughout the whole movie, even the few that weren't in the novel.
Tim Allen, Patrick Warburton, Tom Seizmore, and Stanley Tucci were all hilarious in this movie.
The cast is huge and includes some of the funniest people around; Andy Richter, Johnny Knowville from MTV's Jackass Tv show, Stanley Tucci (who is absolutely brilliant), Dennis Farina (who is deadpan funny), Patrick Warburton, Rene Russo and Tim Allen (who plays the straight man to all the other character's comedy.) The story is about how all of these people's lives come together over one night in Miami.
The film makes you laugh at least once a minute and I literally laughed so hard in one scene (when Tim Allen and Rene Russo) "Declare their love" for each other.
reminds me of some of Westlake's funnier, quirkier stuff, like "Why Me".I laughed out loud, which I don't often do at movies, and I *loved* the supporting cast.I'm disappointed that some reviewers have let September 11th make them hypersensitive about anything involving explosives or an airport.
There aren't any actual terrorists in the film, no Arabs or other Middle-Eastern types with evil on their mind, just silly characters.This was good, comic fun, and when it comes out on DVD, it will be a welcome addition to my collection..
If you're looking for a movie that pokes good clean fun at some of the issues of today, while making you laugh, you're in the right place.Grab a box of Goobers, a large popcorn with extra butter, a non-diet drink and set your slightly big butt in a comfortable seat.
This is one of them.When I saw he played a former humor columnist for a Miami newspaper I immediately thought Dave Barry, one of the funniest guys alive, but I had no idea the movie was based on a novel of his (thought he might have written the screenplay, though).Everyone in the cast plays his or her role to perfection and it's just nonstop laughs and fun.
Then the normal father Elliot (Tim Allen) who has a son who thinks he's a loser.Also the banker who's stolen money who the 2 hit men are after, his wife who's interested in Tim and the plot continues with a large suitcase which contains what isn't a garbage disposal.Highly entertaining movie, non stop in less than 90 mins, so many ridiculous moments, the actors lines are hilarious, backed with great acting.
it's good clean fun with no strings attached.I began to chortle and chuckle from the very start and although I was never moved to belly laughs, it did lift me and kept me smiling throughout...what more can you ask of a simple comedy?I actually watched twice and saw a lot of references that I'd missed first time.
The story is told at a fast pace so keeps your interest with lots of simple gags.I particularly enjoyed the moment when the character Puggy is mistaken for Jesus!!It's a great shame that this filmed bombed due to its post 9/11 timing.
Tim Allen has wonderful understated timing as a comic with his non-commital style.Don't expect to be moved in a Schindlers List fashion, but get this film if you want a good giggle..
Tim Allen, Rene Russo, Ben Foster, Dennis Farina, Stanley Tucci, Janeane Garrafolo, and Tom Sizemore all star in this laugh out loud comedy about how a (seemingly) easy hit-job goes terribly awry.
Tucci is one of the best character actors, you always believe he is who he's playing, and Allen is just always good at delivering those quick-witted lines.
This movie has a great cast, a very stupid story line and everything else that makes a crazy comedy.
I was in the mood for a laugh and having seen Tim Allen is a few films, I decided to try Big Trouble.Being from Oz, we hadn't heard anything about this flick and I knew I was taking a gamble.But it was a gamble that paid off big time.
From the start, Jason Lee is delightful as the innocent bystander drawn into an insane story by random acts of fate.Allen was great with his quiet yet hilarious character who was offset by Foster as his overly sarcastic, yet still lovable son.The highlight of the piece however for me was Dennis Farina.
I enjoyed seeing him in Snatch and Out Of Sight and he played the grumpy, easily annoyed hitman to perfection.A great ensemble cast, including Stanley Tucci, Janeane Garafolo, Rene Russo and Tom Sizemore, added truckloads to this outrageously funny comedy.With great lines and characters, Big Trouble is certainly worth a look.Easily Worth 4.5 out of 5.
Frankly, I have not laughed this much throughout the entirety of a film since 'The Ref'.If you enjoy subtle comedy, this flick likely isn't for you.
My Mother and I could not stop laughing.As soon as you got through one fit of giggles something else hilarious would come along!I noticed that there are a lot of big names in this movie.Stanley Tucci and Rene Russo to name two.
Jason Lee (Puggy) looks sort of like a Jesus character (was that intended?).This movie is absolutely hilarious.
It wasn't Shakespeare or Wilde, but it was most definitely amusing 80% of the time (which is more than one can say for most comedies).A great cast, a decent adaptation, not something I paid to see in the theatre but most definitely a fun rental, enjoyed by all I saw it with..
Part of what made the book so funny was Dave Barry's descriptions of the scenes and characters, plus what was going through the minds of the dog and the toad.
I couldn't imagine how this would be done in a movie.The movie was very funny, but I think that if you haven't read the book, you may have trouble keeping up with who's who...lots of very colorful characters, each with his/her own agenda.
I think that if I hadn't read the book first, I would have been lost - the pace of the movie is very fast.Characters are fantastic, and captured Barry's descriptions very well.
The movie was funny, but the book was HILARIOUS.
Once you get past that you will find a film that will make you laugh, force you to guess what is going to happen and think about how, at least, four separate sub-plots will join together at the end.Lots of minor star power with Tim Allen, Rene Russo, and a cast of second level stars that play their parts very well.
Florida football fans may not like all the jokes but I laughed until I teared up.Great movie fun..
The ensemble cast is really perfect, with multiple great performances from the likes of Janeane Garofalo, Dennis Farina, Tim Allen, Renee Russo, and others.
Barry Sonnenfeld did better job than I would have thought possible in taking the highly convoluted plot from the book and making it eminently followable onscreen.While this is not destined to be a class like Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World, or even There's Something About Mary, it is nevertheless a VERY funny film that the whole family will enjoy...if your family is the kind that likes slapstick humor and the Florida farce of Barry, Leonard and the rest of the Miami funnymen.
A big ensemble cast and fast pacing give this movie plenty of interlocking scenes - therefore, if you don't like one character, there's another character with a different story coming right along, so be patient.
Miami Herald comedy writer Dave Barry wrote the novel that the movie is based of off.
Rena Russo and Tim Allen nailed their characters, and unbelievably funny performances from Stanley Tucci, Janeane Garofalo, Patrick Warburton, Dennis Farina and Heavy D (among many others) make this one of the best ensemble comedies I've ever seen.
The funny thing about "Big Trouble" is that plot isn't the movie's winning feature (and I say that being a Dave Barry fan) so much as the direction.
Between the characters and comedic situations, this movie graduated from the school of throwing everything at the audience, and Barry Sonnenfeld does an impressive job making it work.
This film delivered in a big way; I got a lot of laughs and felt better afterwards.
This movie is just plain crazy and some of the stuff in it will really make you laugh, definitely watch this if its on comedy central again or rent it..
big trouble in Miami - a very funny movie!.
the cast was great, everyone of them; the script is good, the directing also; my favorite character was Dennis Farina's; as a matter of fact, i love Barry Sonnenfeld movies, in general, i really think that he is a great director and big trouble is one of the funniest comedy ever!
i think that Zooey Deschanel was spot on and Tim Allen was very funny too; and the movie was also a very good start on their careers for Sofia Vergara and Ben Foster; LOVED IT!.
The movie tries to replace comedy writing with a lot of quirky characters doing weird things in an interconnected crazy plot.
"Big Trouble" is a movie which will most definitely entertain you.
It's just hilarious and your laugh meter will be exceeded, or at least mine was.One thing that makes this movie so funny is the whole cast.
All the characters are simply hilarious and yet they don't have any more depth in them, that is not the case when it comes to a movie like this.
Talking about the actors, the whole cast includes Tim Allen, Rene Russo, Stanley Tucci, Tom Sizemore, Johny Knoxville, Dennis Farina, Janeane Garofalo, Omar Epps..
This also has to be the only good movie Tim Allen ever starred in.
Based on(and pretty much word for word with) Dave Barry's first non-fiction book, "Big Trouble", people who are not familiar with his writing style would not have enjoyed this movie.
This was a funny movie - the acting seemed right on - from seriously over-the-top for Stanley Tucchi to deadpan for tim allen - everybody seemed right on.Obviously it's not one of the "classic comedies", if it was you'd have heard of it, but it certainly deserved more than the fate it got!Rent it, you'll laugh!The only problem I have is with the McGuffin - but hey, whatever!
This movie is based on a novel by the humor columnist Dave Barry.
It had its funny moments, which really surprised me because I don't like Tim Allen.
Big Trouble is an interesting movie because of three things: 1) Its release date was delayed because of an airplane and airport scene involving a nuclear bomb, 2) it´s directed by Barry Sonnenfeld and 3) it has a really impressing cast.
I watched the movie on DVD a few weeks ago and I must say that I was quite disappointed.Big Trouble has a cast that consists of numerous familiar faces.
There weren´t any scenes in this film that really made me laugh, most of the jokes are just worth a smile.Big Trouble proves that even a talented director with an ensemble cast like this can´t save a mediocre script.
Big Trouble is one of the few movies where every scene is funny and it's difficult to stop laughing.
Read the book, you'll laugh out loud, and then watch the movie where the great cast will keep you laughing throughout the short film (85 minutes)..
While it is certainly not Barry Sonnenfeld's best work and not as good as the novel, Big Trouble has been unfairly bashed at every turn.