I enjoyed Simon Pegg’s Man Up (Patti Abbott recommended it, my review is here). But Absolutely Anything is a completely different movie. A band of space aliens called the Galactic Council have to decide whether to destroy Humanity or allow it to develop (the aliens are voiced by the MONTY PYTHON team of John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, amd Michael Palin). They have a “test” that allows how their decision should be made. The aliens choose one Earthly at random and give them the power to do absolutely anything.
Simon Pegg, a struggling teacher, discovers he suddenly has amazing powers. Simon is in love with Catherine West (Kate Beckinsale) who is struggling with her job at the BBC. Simon tries to win Catherine’s love by using his new powers, but he only messes things up. Simon also gives his dog, Dennis, the power to speak. The voice of Dennis is Robin Williams. This was Robin Williams’s last film role.
There’s a lot of silliness in Absolutely Anything. Kate Beckinsale is the best thing about this occasionally comic movie. But, set the bar low. GRADE: C+
Always a problem with a comedy-leaning into silly too much.
Patti, Simon Pegg’s character makes a lot of silly mistakes with his new powers. It borders on ridiculous.
I like Pegg, but I have a feeling that Jackie will hate this one.
Jeff, Diane was rolling her eyes a lot during ABSOLUTELY ANYTHING.
I haven’t heard of this, and I’ve liked most of Simon Pegg’s movies. I’ll give it a go on Netflix
Maggie, I suspect Beth would love ABSOLUTELY ANYTHING because of Dennis the dog (voiced by Robin Williams).
We watched MAN UP and liked it too.
This one is at 18% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Jeff, and a well-deserved 18% it is! But I’ll watch anything with Kate Beckinsale in it.
No comment on the film, but I want to tell you this is my first blog stop every morning, and I enjoy your blog immensely, even when the subject of a post doesn’t particularly interest me. Thanks for being here, George.
Rick, thank you for your kind words. I try to offer up a diversity of books, movies, and music knowing that some of it will not appeal to some of my blog visitors. But, I hope there’s enough interest in some of the posts to keep people coming back.
Pegg & Beckinsale? This I gotta see. Pegg was in a great zombie comedy, SHAUN OF THE DEAD. And Beckinsale is always great. Have you seen her film, NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH?