Review of Rat Race

Introduction

Rat Race is a film you`re either going to love or you`re going to hate. I admit I`m one of the former, but I`ve heard a number of people cite the performances of John Cleese and Rowan Atkinson for their hatred of the movie.

John Cleese plays Donald Sinclair, the owner of one of the major casinos in Las Vegas. He is a man with no moral outlook on life and possibly the worst-fitting set of false teeth in the Western Hemisphere. In true Willy Wonka style, he puts six gold tokens in six one-armed-bandits in the hotel-casino complex which are won by: Whoopi Goldberg as a mother being reunited with the daughter she gave up for adoption 25 years ago; Jon Lovitz playing his usual sleazy character, this time on holiday with his two kids and wife (Kathy Najimy); Seth Green is in Vegas to scam damages out of a hotel with the aid of his dozy brother who has a speech impediment thanks to a DIY tongue piercing kit; Cuba Gooding Jr. is a top football referee hiding out in Vegas after making the stupidest coin toss call in history; Rowan Atkinson as a narcoleptic Neapolitan called Enrico Pollini and Breckin Meyer (from Road Trip) as an uptight young lawyer with his sights on the Supreme Court. The prize is the chance to compete in a race to New Mexico and a railroad terminal locker containing $2million.

The stage is set for an updating of the classic "It`s A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World". Each contestant (whose antics are being wagered on by Sinclair and his high-roller cronies) gets into a series of wild and highly improbable adventures. Whoopi and daughter are sent on a shortcut by a lady selling squirrels, Rowan Atkinson gets knocked down by an ambulance transporting a human heart across country, Jon Lovitz and family steal Adolf Hitler`s touring car, Cuba Gooding Jr. discovers He Doesn`t Love Lucy, and Breckin Meyer hitches a lift with a psychotically jealous blonde helicopter pilot (Amy Smart).

It`s all good stupid fun, although the ending isn`t as cynical as the 1963 original, and smacks a little of questionable taste.

Video

A spotless anamorphic widescreen transfer of a brand new movie, just as it should be.

Audio

Sound is in Dolby Digital 5.1

Features

A good selection of goodies such as a director`s commentary, theatrical trailer, gag reel, deleted scenes and a "making of" short.

Conclusion

Most people`s savagery is aimed at Rowan Atkinson for turning in a performance as Mr Bean`s Italian Cousin, but in actual fact he is the most likeable character in the film. Like the 1963 movie this is an homage to, it`s a light, easygoing comedy about greed. Don`t overanalyse it.