Someone got the rather inspired (but ultimately misguided) idea to match Hong Kong action director Stanley Tong with comedy stalwart Leslie Nielsen in this dimwitted live-action Disney version of the vintage cartoon, in which the
very nearsighted tycoon bumbles his way into the heist of a giant, priceless ruby known as the Star of Kuristan. The result is an abundance of slapstick humor related to Mr. Magoo's visual impairment (prompting a brief protest during the film's 1997 release by the National Federation of the Blind), and a tired plot involving a lovely jewel thief (Kelly Lynch) who'll stop at nothing to get her stolen jewel back. Of course, Magoo manages to foil the thieves at every turn, even though he's frequently unaware of his unintentional heroics. This standard family fare from Disney (best suited for kids 12 and under) will probably play better on home video, but you'll have to watch and listen closely for the few gags that really pay off.
--Jeff Shannon
1 Not necessarily excellent
This was basically your average comedy movie. First half wasn't very funny; second have was hilarious. First of all, Leslie Nielsen plays a great Quincy Magoo, acting like he is blind, and all. Angus, the dog, is a pretty good part, too, though some of the gags near the beginning with Angus didn't really hit the spot. Some jokes hilarious, for example, the chicken scene. Only poor Mr. Magoo could end up sandpapering a boiling chicken!
The other acting wasn't that great, unfortunately. If the other actors hadn't acted like it was so much of a drama, and treated it more like a comedy, it could've turned out a little better. I would recommend this for lovers of comedy.
Recommended for ages 6 and up. Rated PG for mild language (hardly noticeable) and some action sequences.
This movie may be a bit scary for younger children, because of some of the gun fighting, but this is lightened up by the near-sightedness (or is it pure stupidity?) of Magoo. Younger children will enjoy the silly slapstick comedy.
2 Funny, entertaining
We really liked the movie, the kids all love it, they find it very funny. We have seen the original Mr. Magoo cartoons and enjoyed them. This movie is as funny as the cartoons.
3 Very Funny!!!
It is indeed very interesting and amusing to see the cartoon Mr. Magoo 'come to life' acted out by non other than the great comedian Leslie Nielsen. I burst out laughing a few times watching this movie, for example, the part when Mr. Magoo was trying to prepare the 'chicken dish' for the lovely but fatal Prunela (Kelly Lynch). He was watching a 'cooking' program when it was changed to an 'aerobics' program and next to a 'carpentary' program. Mr. Magoo as usual being visually impaired, went through all the 'rituals' with his chicken. It was hilarious! Get this movie and laugh your way through with Mr. Magoo from the beginning when the jewel was stolen to the end when he restored it to its rightful place, all the while not realizing the dangers he was in. This is because as in the cartoon, he always walks away smoothly from all harm despite his bad eyesight. This is a wonderful movie for 'tired, sore' eyes!
4 THE "CITIZEN KANE" OF MOVIE COMEDIES!
Simply one of the ten greatest comedies ever made! Where's the sequel???
5 Excellent
Excellent movie! Leslie Nielson does a terrific job paying Mr. Magoo. The movie is a little kidddish but adults will still like it. The dog also does a terrific job. The only bad part of the movie is that it is very unrealistic, but thats Hollywood for yall!
6 Nothing extremely great or terrible.....2.5 stars from me
I haven't ever watched the cartoon of Mr. Magoo, but I always heard what it was about. I don't know why, but when I heard about Leslie Nielsen (one of the best comedy actors there is) starring in "Mr. Magoo," I wanted to see it.
Mr. Magoo is a VERY visually impaired and wealthy man. He unfortunately gets involved in the middle of a plot that deals with thieves stealing extremely valuable jewels. Whether Mr. Magoo successfully gets out of the middle of the action or not, one thing's for sure, he sure needs a new eye doctor.
Unlike what I've read from some of the other reviews, I didn't think that Leslie Nielsen did a bad job at all in "Mr. Magoo." I do agree that the movie seems generic and that it is somewhat pointless, but I still moderately liked it. Mr. Magoo isn't trying to be funny, but he is, since he is nearly blind. You will see him do such things such as go fishing and catch a man, but think that he has a lunker of a fish, take what he thinks is a skiing detour, but that is actually the edge of a cliff, and a lot more.
I thought Leslie Nielsen did a great job of acting like he was nearly blind, and the rest of the people in the film did ok, but not great, with the exception of the dog, who was brilliant.
As for the movie itself, "Mr. Magoo" isn't one of the best comedies and it's not one of the funniest, but I did think parts were hilarious. But there were also many parts that tried to be funny, that didn't even make me grin. All in all, it's a mixed bag of laughs and failed grins. If you're a fan of comedy movies and Leslie Nielsen films, I would recommend renting "Mr. Magoo" before buying it.
7 oh Leslie
First off, for those of you that like my reviews, you have probably noticed that I either totally like a movie, or totally despise it for killing brain cells. This, to those of you, is the latter. Mr Magoo, a retired idea from a retired cartoon, that neither should have made it past phase one. After you laugh at one thing (As Ebert said about Money Pit) you have nothing more to laugh at. The jokes are neither funny nor inspiring. New material is essential to the survival of a comedy. Unless, that is, you enjoy redundancy. Leslie Nielson, is one of my favorite comedians, (With the exception of the unnecessary Wrongfully accused, in which I laughed twice) and I have to say he was the best for the job. But, how unfortunate for him, that the material was plucked from an animated floozy. I am mr magoo, here is my chicken.
8 Mr. Magoo
almost everyday I watch a new movie, and since more than 5 years I didn't watch something like this, this movie should have an academy award for the WORST MOVIE IN HISTORY OF CINEMA. here I took some notes from other people reviews and I think I can not say anything more:
1 - The dog was the best actor of all 2 - In the worst performance of his career, Leslie Nielsen stars in Mr. Magoo 3- it's hard to believe that movies as bad as this actually get made.
I couldn't believe how Leslie Nielsen agreed and signed a contract for this movie I've always considered him one of the best Comedy actors and I didn't believed that he worked in this movie.
bottom line : 1.10 hours waste of time.
9 A dreadful attempt at a comedy.
In the worst perfromance of his career, Leslie Nielsen stars in "Mr Magoo", a dreadful attempt at a comedy which fails on every level. Pointless from beginning to end, it's hard to believe that movies as bad as this actually get made.
10 Mr. Magoo stinks!!Pwew!
I am dictating for my 5 year old son.....Mr. Magoo is the stupidest movie in the world, so far. That movie is also very unfunny. The previews were the only reason we got the movie. I laughed once, when the dog fell in the snow. The dog was the best actor of all. > But, I still hated the movie and that movie is sooooo outrageous. My favorite funny movie is Home Alone. For funny, stupid movies try Mouse Hunt or Flubber. Have a good time with those movies.
11 Excellent
Definately one of the funniest movies I've seen in a long time. I laughed from beginning to end. I've always been a big fan of Leslie Nielsen and he has played many a funny part. I saw this on the Disney Channel and wanted to own the movie myself. I, myself am 39 years old, but love a good comedy and am a great fan of Disney! Anybody who watches this movie and says it isn't funny, must not enjoy the simple things in life, or at least, making fun of it. Keep up the great work, Leslie!
12 Boring!
I mean, if a , tv show, or a newspaper or anything like that just says: "Zany!", "Fun!", "Thrills!", or "Slapstick!", it usually mean they hated it and were either payed to say these things or they were looking for something possitive(unlikley!)
13 ugh, an awful movie!
no offense to the director, but this was a purely awful movie. Unless you love stupid humor, you should not see this. all the "comedy" is based on the same premis, that mr. magoo cant see well. i could barely sit throgh the movie because of the one-sided characters and the pathetic plot.
14 Funny
My favorite part is where the robber steals his car, and they have to take the "Eggplant Mobile." Why do the make such a big deal over the gem, in real life it's just plastic.
15 GREAT MOVIE!
I thought this movie was very funny! There are alot of laughs and funny scenes. Mr.Magoo is near sighted, so he reads signs wrong and walks off cliffs.There was a little violence, like kicking and punching, but very little of it in the movie. The one thing I didn't like was at the beginning it started out as a cartoon, then went to real life,and ended as a cartoon. But overall it was a great movie! I recommend it to anyone ages 7+
16 Aysha Salem
I think this movie is totally pathetic. It is really boring. if you're looking for a great movie go for The Parent Trap (1998). Now that's a great movie.
17 Funny But Stupid
the film is funny but you wont understand it but it is still stupi
18 One joke can't carry a movie.
At cartoon-length, Mr. Magoo is hilarious. The animated opening sequence is the best part of the movie. But dragging it out over 90 minutes and trying to make it work in live-action? Big mistake. Leslie Nielsen is a little too perky to be a convincing Mr. Magoo, anyway.
19 Hillarious
Leslie Neilson is a #1 comidien to make laughs
20 A FEW LAUGHS,BUT NOT MANY. COMEDY FANS:DO NOT RENT THIS!!!!!
THERE ARE A FEW LAUGHS,BUT MOST OF THEM ARE MISFIRES. DIE HARD LESLIE NIELSON FANS MAY HAVE A HARD TIME LIKING THIS. RECOMMENDED FOR KIDS ONLY.
21 THIS WAS VERY,VERY BORING AND I NEVER WANT TO SEE IT AGAIN
I watched this movie once and it was 5 minutes in and I hated it.You know the ratings on movies and books in ''Seventeen magizne'',well i give this poor.I really feel sorry for people who have to see this more than once.If you're looking for a good movie how 'bout Practical magic or scream.If you're younger how 'bout freaky friday or homeward bound.
22 <<>>
i liked the humor in this flik, it was light and enjoyable, and could be uswd for kids as well, might get old if u saw it a lot of times
23 very bad stuipd
I found it not as funny as they had said. it was a bad movie. i say you shoulden't see it.
