Flubber

Plot synopsis:
Professor Philip Brainard (Robin Williams) of Medfield College is developing a new energy source, in an attempt to raise enough money to save the college from closure. His preoccupancy with his research distracts him from his fiancée and the college president Sara Jean Reynolds (Marcia Gay Harden); he has missed two weddings in the past as a result of this, much to the anger of Sara. On the day of the third attempted wedding, Philip is approached by his former partner Wilson Croft (Christopher McDonald), who has profited from ideas he has stolen from the chemist and now desires to steal Sara from Philip and make her his wife, which he declares directly to Philip. Before he can make it to the wedding, his latest experiment shows fast development, forcing him to miss another wedding. The resulting substance created from the experiment is a green goo that increases in speed as it bounces and proves to be difficult to control, wreaking havoc on the neighborhood before the professor finally manages to capture it. Weebo (voiced by Jodi Benson), Philip's hovering robot assistant, classifies the substance as "flying rubber", leading Philip to christen it as "Flubber".
Philip continues to work on Flubber into the early morning, looking to stabilize the rubber's movement as opposed to stimulation. Philip's watch alarm goes off at 6 a.m. (set wrong) and Weebo informs him that he has missed the third wedding. Philip goes to Sara's office and unsuccessfully attempts to explain the situation to her. Meanwhile, Medfield College sponsor Chester Hoenicker (Raymond J. Barry) is unhappy that Philip failed his son Bennett (Wil Wheaton) in chemistry class. That night, Hoenicker sends his two security guards Smith (Clancy Brown) and Wesson (Ted Levine) to Philip's house in an attempt to persuade Philip into giving Bennett a better grade. However, Philip is too busy testing the Flubber to even notice them and suddenly knocks them out unconscious with a Flubber-coated golf ball and bowling ball. He uses Flubber to give his vintage Ford Thunderbird flight. During a test run, he discovers Wilson making the moves on Sara. Afterward, Weebo attempts to confess her love of Philip, only to be shrugged off as a computer. In response, she secretly creates a holographic human version of herself named Sylvia (Leslie Stefanson) in hopes of winning him over. Before Weebo can make out with Philip in this form as he sleeps, Philip awakens with another idea for Flubber. He enters an empty basketball arena and tests the effects of Flubber on a basketball. Later, he gives Flubber-padded shoes to the unskilled Medfield basketball team to increase their abilities.
Back in Philip's home, a spiteful Weebo unleashes Flubber from his case, allowing him to dance around the house and cause general mayhem. After the close but successful basketball game, Philip's attempt to win Sara back into his favor fails. Philip dumps all of his emotional baggage onto Weebo, saying his absent-mindedness is due to his love of Sara. Weebo records Philip's ramblings and shows the footage to Sara, who then reconciles with Philip. Philip demonstrates Flubber's abilities to Sara and they discuss how it can be used for profit. However, Hoenicker discovers Flubber's existence and sends Smith and Wesson to infiltrate Philip's house and steal Flubber. Weebo attempts to fend off the henchmen, only to be struck down by Wesson with a baseball bat. Philip and Sara return home and find Weber (Philip's house-robot) cleaning up, Flubber gone and Weebo destroyed. Later, Philip discovers that Weebo had downloaded backup data of herself onto his computer in the event of her destruction, as well as a video recording of Weebo's hologram professing her love for him.
Philip and Sara confront Hoenicker and try to retrieve Flubber, only to discover that Wilson is allied with the millionaire. After a battle, Philip and Sara defeat Wilson, Bennett, Hoenicker and his henchmen, get Flubber back, raise enough money to save the college and finally have a successful marriage, along with Flubber and the "daughter" of Weebo, called Weebette. The film ends with the family heading to Hawaii in the Thunderbird.

Tags: romantic

Review:
Of course there are redeeming qualities, such as the fun music score by Danny Elfman, one of my all time favourite film composers and an amusing turn from Robin Williams.
For example - the professor has created a flying robot that has full intelligence and character but yet he hasn't made any money for himself or his college!, is the flubber alive or not?
Jokes include the usual "people getting hit in the head" style humour.Williams character is not funny at all - a bit of a weakness in a comedy lead.
It's not really a movie about performances but I think it's still important.The best characters are Weebo and the flubber.
The flubber is good - best in one big musical number halfway through and I wonder if they could have had more imaginative scenes with it as a character rather than just a bouncy ball.Overall it's a kids film - don't expect anything more than that..
This is a mildly entertaining film, mostly due to Williams star power and the spectacular visual effects the movie offers.
Even so, it is not a stretch to say that most families will like Flubber, as everyone will be amazed by the stunning look of the movie..
We see and hear the following impossible things: inanimate objects become human (with feelings, no less!) and a flying computer called "Weebo." Obviously, this is just a far-off story designs only for laughs (I know one person who actually took some of this stuff seriously.)Despite a bowling bowl repeatedly hitting someone in the head, it's a fairly harmless movie with no language problems, which is a rarity in a Robin Williams film.
Robin is the "absent- minded professor," in this "Dr. Philip Brainiard." You can call him, "Dr. Phil." There are one or two sneaky-vulgar lines but nothing much.With the flubber-substance making balls bounce forever, into every object, you get a lot of slapstick scenes that are either stupid or laugh-out-loud funny.
The central character, Professor Philip Brainard, is a brilliant inventor who has not only invented a robot that will do the housework for him but has also cracked the artificial intelligence problem by producing Weebo, a computer with its own personality that can not only talk to him but also fly.
For all his intellectual brilliance, however, his private life is so disorganised that he has forgotten to turn up to his own wedding to his attractive sweetheart Sara, not once but three times.The plot turns upon Brainard's attempts to produce his flubber, which he sees as a solution to the financial problems confronting the college at which he teaches and of which Sara is the principal.
Along the way, he has to fight off Wilson, the handsome but too smooth principal of another college who is his rival for Sara's affections, and a corrupt businessman who wants to use the flubber for his own selfish ends.The film was clearly designed as a comedy for children, and works quite well as such, aided by a good deal of slapstick humour, mostly involving Robin Williams as Brainard.
Williams is clearly a talented comedian, but strangely enough, with a few exceptions such as "Mrs Doubtfire", he has been most successful in films with a serious purpose like "Dead Poets Society" or "Good Morning Vietnam", although even in these he often manages to find a use for his comic talents.
I admire Robin Williams.His quick,improvisational humor make him the most unique entertainer of our time.However,he does from time to time make bad choices,and Flubber was indeed a bad one,at least scriptwise.This movie's problem is not from bad performances,but from terrible writing,and that often makes the performers look bad.The intentions here are good,but the movie just fell flat in all aspects.If you want to see a movie about flubber,I would highly suggest "The Absent Minded Professor".It's a classic and it's much better..
Disney got Robin William's who became popular in the 1990s with family entertainment films to remake the The Absent Minded Professor.
Popular with kids at the time mainly because it was co- written by John Hughes who put some of his Home alone slapstick formula with two comedy henchman played by Ted Levine and Clancy Brown.William's discovers discovers some kind of flying rubber which may save his college which is in a financial crisis.
Why his bride to be could not make sure that in case he forgets, he is accompanied by two people to drag him to the church on time is anyone's guess.His girlfriend who also happens to be the College Dean gets the attention of a love rival and a mobster wants the formula for flubber and sends his henchman to retrieve it.Williams is assisted by an Artificial Intelligent flying robot called Weebo which strangely is not marketed by Williams to save the college.The film is knockabout slapstick squarely aimed at kids and they will appreciate it the most.
The story was originally from the 1961 comedy film, "The Absent-Minded Professor".
The absent-minded professor tried to convince his colleagues that flubber can saved their university from going into shambles.Here, Robin Williams plays the absent-minded professor.
Professor Phillip Brainard, (who could be a distant relative or son of the original Absent-Minded Professor), is in the process of creating a new substance that can raise money to save the college from closure.
Their sneakers are also sprayed with flubber, making them bounce more higher and faster than ever.There are, however, bad guys in Flubber, and their job in the movie is to try to steal the substance from Brainard.
And I supposed Flubber can be included in this specific category of forgettable John Hughes' movies.Robin Williams looks as if he was practically on speed throughout the entire movie.
Watch "Flubber" then count with me the ways:1) Williams isn't funny (his hair seems to put in more acting time than he does).2) It's written by John Hughes (and it isn't even good on a slapstick level!
Good!).4) There aren't HALF as many funny situations in this one as there was in the original.5) The bad guys act as if they're in a serious movie (though since there wasn't any laughs in this one, I can see where they would get confused for content).6) There are more FX than anything else (when a movie forsakes its story in favor of an FX loop, it's not a good sign).There are more, but we're only allowed 1,000 words for reviews here.One star.
There is no gore or extreme violence in this, everything has a light-hearted touch to it and the flubber truly seems fun to play with.Robin does do a good job as the professor, making many wacky inventions and always forgetting.
Weebo played by Jodi, continues to be the kind, thoughtful person - or in this case computer - that she is when she plays Ariel in the little mermaid.Overrall it's a pretty good film, not ideal for adults but then why get a kids film?.
The characters should be enjoyable for them and some of the comical situations are good enough to make them laugh.Robin Williams is always fun to watch in a comedy but however in this case it feels like he's holding back to not completely play a nutty professor.
Of course it's not a very good sign when the best developed- and featured character of the movie is not even an human...Also the use of 'Flubber' is highly below par.
It however doesn't play a that significant role in the movie and the things that are done with the Flubber are far from original or interesting.
A remake of an old black and white Disney flick called The Absent Minded Professor that has long since gotten a bit stale, Flubber took all the best elements of that and breathed new 90's life into the premise, most of the pep in its step coming from star Robin Williams.
This is the remake of 1961's Absent-Minded Professor, where Robin Williams plays Professor Phillip Brainard.
He works with his assistant Weebo, a talking miniature flying robot, and created a rubber-like substance called Flubber, which can make objects fly through air.
His scientific research has caused him to miss his wedding to fiancée Dr. Sara Jean Reynolds (Marcia Gay Harden), who ends up going out with Professor Wilson Croft (Christopher McDonald).
The little flying robot reminded me of the little aliens in the sci-fi flick *batteries not included, and her little TV screen that shows various Disney cartoon scenes whenever she makes emotions is a clever touch.Overall, I didn't think it was a really exciting movie, but for its whimsical, slapstick and childish elements, this movie is best left for younger children to enjoy.Grade C.
Nonetheless, he thinks about how he's going to use flubber to save Medfield College, and tries to once again win the heart of Sara, who is now going out with Wilson Croft, Brainard's rival.
Another problem I can't forget is the villains, ones which may not belong."Flubber" is a remake of the 1961 Disney film, "The Absent Minded Professor", which I haven't seen (I didn't even know "Flubber" was a remake until around the time I last saw it), but know the 1961 original is generally considered superior.
Whether you've seen "The Absent Minded Professor" or not, and whether you like it or not if you have seen it, you have to remember that "Flubber" is a kids' movie, and for most adults, other than parents, it is an insignificant flick, and probably not worth it..
I remember I saw this movie when I was little and I loved it but then I rewatch it now and it's a ok movie at best there are parts in the movie that are funny but some there just Dumb robin acting in this is fine and the special effects are mediocre.
Not the best of Robin Williams performances when compared to his more classic performances (Aladdin/Jumanji), but still has his moments aimed at kids where they would class it as hilarious, but adults would class it as a little funny.
This movie is not that great if you are looking to compare it with others, but if you are watching it alone or with friends, this movie is a blast, the premise is so stupid and goofy that it just works, the cartoony slapstick is, kinda obvious but its good, the only lowlight were the scenes with the robot assistant to robin williams (forgot her name) and that flubber dancing scene, but the movie is, at least in my opinion, harmless fun.
Weebo, the assistant of the scientist played by Williams, ends up becoming the most complete character of the film, with a strong dramatic and psychological depth and well-made humor moments.
Due to having two sons I watch a lot of kids movies, and appreciate them for what they are, some I enjoy ("Underdog") and some I loathe ("Son Of The Mask") but I always bare in mind it's aimed at kids!!Plot In A Paragraph: An absent minded professor Philip Brainard (Robin Williams) tries to save his college from being closed down by developing a new energy source.
This fails on almost every level, it's special effects looked awfully dated, it's script was awful, and it's plot was pretty much throws every cliché in the book at you.I could understand the late Robin Williams taking this at a low point in his career, but he was still a really popular actor when he made this tripe.
But anyways, if you want to see a good clean comedy, see Flubber, because I thought it was a very entertaining Disney flick (and I'm fourteen) so that's showing something that it's not just for kids.
To make sure it would be a crazy comedy, they chose «the man of the 1000 voices», Robin Williams, as the absent-minded/nutty scientist professor Philip Brainard.
He wasn't great in this film, but you can tell he enjoyed making the flick.So, Flubber is not quite as bad as you can imagine it to be, but to be honest, its not my type of thing!Rating: 6.
Phillip Brainard (Robin Williams) is the absent-minded professor.
Time for some wacky, funny, scientific fun with Robin Williams as he takes the stage as the "Absent-Minded Professor" in Disney's 1997 remake of that movie, known simply as "Flubber!!!!!"He has a robot assistant, Weebo, and he was late (again) for his wedding, all because he was making "flubber," flying rubber as it was known.
Also, robots that have emotions and intelligence are not feasible, not to mention them falling in love, or "dying".With that said, the movie still could have been made FUNNY, especially with Robin Williams.
Well, I didn't go to this movie to see CGI, I went for Robin Williams, which is my favorite actor, and discovered that even a great actor can't save a bad script.The script was so unamusing, that I would have stopped watching it in the middle if I weren't with my girlfriend.
He could obviously not get through to them as he did with the actors in Hook,and other movies like that.)It's a story of how one absent minded proffessor, wins back the day with FLUBBER.
It has nothing to redeem it.The main problem is that it is dull.It fails to entertain on any level.Discerning movie fans and kids of all ages will find it a major effort to stay with this one for the duration.A low point for both Robin Williams and the Disney Studio.Watch paint dry instead.You'll find that more worthwhile!.
What Disney is basically renamed it's orginal title"The Absent Minded Professor" and changed it to "Flubber".I like the first title better than new one!!If you like disney's so called family films(some of which should of been rated PG or even PG-13!) , then you can watch this junk all you want!!I will stick to the orginal and so should you if know what the other reviews on here have said!!Avoid this movie ,it's a movie that just plain sucks!!.
There's kissing!I liked Flubber okay, but for one thing, getting hit in the head by a bowling ball is a little inappropriate for a children's movie.I also think that getting hit in the head by a glass dish is very inappropriate, also.
It's a Disney movie starring Robin Williams after all.
This remake of Disney's 1961 classic, "The Absent-Minded Professor", stars Robin Williams as Professor Philip Brainard, who invents a hyperelastic polymer which returns more energy than is put into it.
And in a remarkable stroke of luck for Hollywood's legions of character animators, Flubber is also intelligent and imbued with a lively and playful personality.No Disney movie these days is complete without a cute little sidekick-who-messes-things-up-but-then-saves-the-day.
In "Flubber" this role is played by "Weebo", a flying pet robot that Brainard invented.
If you wonder why your kid is failing science, look no further.Robin Williams is wasted in this movie.
Webo the flying robot is also funny and the close relationship between her and the professor really brings a family feel to the movie.
Tastes and times have changed drastically since 1961 when Fred MacMurray originally introduced the super-elastic stuff called 'flubber' to film audiences in Walt Disney's "The Absent Minded Professor." In the high-tech, 1990's Disney remake "Flubber" reinvents itself as an animated, gooey-green, silly putty blob of flying rubber that talks and dances.
By now, I have seen both this and the original Absent-Minded Professor, and loved both that and Flubber.
This movie is about Robin Williams who plays a professor who is also an inventor and invents a lot of robots to help him around the house, but is so focused on his work that he misses his own wedding...three times.
Taylor, 'Flubber' tells the story of Professor Phillip Brainard (Robin Williams) on his search for an energy based scientific breakthrough, in order to save his college from closing; while fending off, rivals trying to steal his research for themselves.
The reason, why, is because the original 1961's film, 'The Absent Minded Professor', in which, this remake was based off, has not aged well since then.
Not only that; but, like the main character from the original movie, this version of Brainard is also a downright cheater who put a whole innocent basketball team in risk with Flubber enhanced sneakers, without telling them.
I remember seeing this as a kid and I found it really funny,but I haven't seen this in ages so I decided to buy the DVD of it this year and watched it last night.The story is about a professor called Phillip(played by the late Robin Williams) who creates this rubber like substance and calls Flubber.
So she starts to have feelings for him and in one scene she creates a hologram of a woman just to get close to him(which sounds kinda silly but still though she was made by the Professor).Overall it was a really long time ago since I last seen it but it was a funny movie,the slapstick is great and Robin Williams is such an energetic person.
_Comparing to the original The Absent Minded Professor's 2 movies, this is less than half of the fun of any of them.The Last Remark : In the movie's start, one character asks (Robin Williams) as Professor Brainard about how he handles his I don't remember what, and hearing mistakenly, he replays about how he handles his "private parts" ??!!..
Williams plays the really absent minded Professor Philip Brainard.
The special effects are great, Williams is amusing and the comedy is fun for the kids and adults together.
I must admit that Robin Williams is a funny guy, but this is not one of his funniest movies.
I enjoyed it, a bit, but I have seen better.Basically, a college is about to be shut down and Robin Williams is an absent minded professor who has missed his wedding three times.
Robin Williams plays a moronically brilliant professor who works in his house and forgets his wedding day...and no one can find this "known to be absent minded moronically brilliant" professor.