The Stupids are a family with, as you can guess, a below-average intelligence. I think this might be due to inbreeding. The plot is fairly simple, more a series of vignettes: the family gets into some mess because of a mistake they make, and then get out of it in some silly manner. It sort of comes together in the end, but that’s how the whole movie goes.
The Stupids is a kid’s movie, and it was made with that exact audience in mind. It’s not really there to entertain adults and…the level of humor is about the same as your average Saturday morning cartoon. It’s full of puns, silly situations, and obvious references. Of course, a good kid’s movie entertains both kids and adults, and The Stupids doesn’t even attempt that. The movie is nothing more than a series of sketches, and once you accept that, you’re in good hands. It’s hit-or-miss like any sketch movie, but when it hits the silly and surreal stride it strives for, it’s a lot of fun.
This being a John Landis film, it’s filled with great cameos and some pretty obscure movie refences. David Cronenberg as a postmaster is probably the best cameo, but the film has many great ones.The acting is over the top, but with any movie starring Tom Arnold you’d expect nothing less. Everything fits the tone of the movie from Tom Arnold’s overacting to Christopher Lee’s evil style, and the bad acting adds to the overall silliness of the film. You can tell people were having a good time making the movie, and it comes across from nearly everyone — yes, even Mr. Rosanne. The film is dumb fun and the actors know it, so playing it completely over the top works.
Video
The Stupids is presented in both 1.85:1 Anamorphic Widescreen and 1.33:1 Fullscreen versions. The colors are bright, the image is sharp and the black level and skin tones are well set. A very nice transfer indeed.
Audio
The Stupids has a Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround track. There is little use of the surround speakers but the dialogue comes through crisp and clear through the centre channel. There is little exercise for the sub woofer here, although there is a decent dynamic range. The musical soundtrack is very cartoonish, but appropriate for the material I guess.
Special Features
The extras consist of the trailer for the movie and a few other New Line movies. But honestly, would anyone really listen to a commentary on this flick? Or how about an “eight years later” retrospective documentary? I doubt it, and if you wanted one…get a life!
Final Thoughts
The Stupids is exactly what the title promises – one idiotic event followed by another but in a relatively inoffensive manner (the only people that would be offended would be stupid people I guess). Worth a rental if all of the new releases are off the shelf.
Special Features List
- Trailers
