Customer Reviews

Dragnet (Widescreen)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I must explain this that I never had any approval of this movie. I also have no approval of Elizabeth Ashley playing the police commissioner. In fact, I do not tolerate this movie anyhow. I will stick to Nancy Drew instead. Or I would stick to Sherlock Holmes movies.

This movie, while old, is a classic. The Characters are lively and funny even in todays jaded market. The movie itself, while outdated and somewhat silly, are funny in and of themselves and it is a lovely treat from the usual fare provided today. If you have never seen this movie, or if you have but it has been awhile, I fully endorse watching it again, and again, and again!

Based on what I've seen, most classic TV show-based flicks are either pretty good (such as 'The Fugitive' or 'The Untouchables'), or pretty bad ('Car 54 Where Are You?'). 'Dragnet' has the distinction of trodding the middle ground-- it ain't all that bad, but it's nothing special, either. While I thought the concept of turning the classic 'Dragnet' show into a cinematic self-satire was interesting, the final product could've been a bit better. Actually, they'da really gotten some laughs from me by trying to play it 'straight' and as true to the TV show as possible. That's probably why episodes of 'Dragnet' were only a half-hour long--it was actually a sit-com disguised as a harrowing real-case-based cop drama. I mean, seriously, do ya really think you'll ever find a law enforcement official who's even close to being the straight-laced boy scout that Joe Friday was?

I gotta admit, however, that Dan Aykroyd's unbelievably button-down, anal-retentive, and ludicrously straight-arrow portrayal of the nephew of Joe Friday was a pretty good shot at Jack Webb's most notable small screen character. And his partnering up with Tom Hanks' polar-opposite-type character made for a few smile-cracking 'Odd-Couple-With-Badges' moments of humor.

Another neat thing about this movie is that it introduced me to a little acronym I like to spring on folks from time to time: the cultish PAGAN, or People Against Goodness And Normalcy, the minions of which act as the movie's main heavies. Whenever someone talks about pagan religious rituals, I'll usually hit 'em with the reference by stating, "Oh, you mean 'the People Against Goodness And Normalcy'?" My statement is usually followed by about ten seconds of uncomfortable silence and sideways glance(s) from the speaker(s). That's when I try to break up my little faux pas by explaining the reference to 'em. After my explanation, we share one of those hearty 'boy-am-I-relieved' chuckles and part ways, never to speak to each other ever again...

'Late

There's a lot of potential in this film, as in many of Aykroyd's efforts, for deft satire; and as in so many of his films, only the most obvious gags are deployed along the way. Some jokes work, but when they don't, or in the long stretches in between, there's simply nothing to draw and hold the interest. In Webb's style, Aykroyd achieves the remarkable feat of overacting restraint. Hanks is at least personable, but not much more. Plummer is wonderfully nasty, and the film has a large budget to display. There's a lot of bloat here, however, and you can't help thinking that the main result of this film was a series of truly wild parties for all concerned in its production.

Any fan of Dan Akroyd's or Tom Hank's style comedy will love it. Anyone that likes movies like "Beverly Hills Cop", "Police Academy", or "Naked Gun" should like it. Even fans of serious police movies or shows will probably get a kick out of it.

Joe Friday, played by Dan Akroyd, is serious about his work, even if his partner Pep Streebek, played by Tom Hanks, is not. Akroyd does a great job of emulating the original Dragnet Friday's inflections and no nonsense style. A cameo by Harry Morgan is fitting since he played in the original TV show.

The duo must uncover the leadership and plans of a satanic cult that is playing havoc with the city of Los Angeles. In their search they encounter a smut magazine king, a religious leader, the mayor, and a bevy of pin-up girls. Several sight gags and Akroyd's performance make this DVD worth owning.

Not much in the extras department. It would have been better if it included a making of feature and/or commentary by Dan Akroyd and Tom Hanks. I would have given it four stars then.

"Dragnet" is one of those movies I never got sick of as a kid, although it did take some growing up for me to get some of the more adult jokes ("Oh thank God...vibrator repair??"). Today, I still enjoy the hilarious banter between Dan Aykroyd as clean-cut Joe Friday, and Tom Hanks as "hipster freebird cop" Pep Streebeck. While Aykroyd has always been a comic genius, I think Hanks' slapstick talent has been underrated due to his super dramatic success. He was very funny in this film and other 80s films like "Big" and "The Money Pit."

The reason I don't give "Dragnet" five stars is the story problem. About halfway through, this movie becomes a sappy mess of a love story/kidnapping plot. It shifts focus from Friday and Streebeck trailing a bevy of PAGAN incidents to Joe trying to save the virgin Connie Swail (Alexandra Paul) from the evil Reverend Jonathan Whirley (played with slime by Christopher Plummer). The romance between Joe and Connie is dull, namely because Paul can't act her way out of a paper bag in this film. But Streebeck's antics without his partner, and Plummer's grinchy grin as he attempts dastardly deeds, save the second half from total destruction.

I believe "Dragnet" is not the dud that most critics make it out to be. It has some very funny moments and some witty dialogue. But it doesn't tie the comedy and drama/action together very well. In a way, it's almost like two different movies. One is fantastic and entertaining, while the other is a bit boring.

Don't expect a glitsy DVD with bucketloads of special features. I guess Universal reserves those special editions for "higher caliber" films. But enjoy the laughs anyway. Key moments: Friday and Streebeck go undercover, the officers meet Enid Borden, a trip to the zoo, chasing Emil Muzz, and a visit to the Bait Magazine mansion.

This film is better and funnier the SECOND time you watch it. Tom Hanks and Dabney Coleman are hilarious! But it is ultimately Dan Aykroyd, who delivers in a finely tuned, and expert performance. No one can fire out those straight and long speeches like he can.
It's a shame they couldn't of got more extras on this dvd. It would of been great to have had interviews with Tom and Danny or better still, some live commentry from these legends.

The cover box says it's widescreen but when played, it's in full screen 8( This is not the first time I had this problem, happened to my Beverly Hills Complete Line-up collection too. Well, I still give it 5 stars since it's DRAGNET!!!

I love this movie!! I never get tired of watching it, and crack up whenever I do.Aykroyd and Hanks make a great team, total opposites, Hanks being the footloose, funny one, and Aykroyd playing the straight, by the book cop. Their antics are so funny you forget the bizarre plot, plus the references the series are well placed as well. What more can I say? Its hilarious, watch and you will crack up.

But the direction lacks invention. It kind of goes downhill with a pretty uninteresting story about PAGANS. There are some funny moments though. But they are all at the beginning. If this film was a little more cynical and a little more observant and a little more profesionally handled it would have been very good. Though it's still one to keep and enjoy.

I first saw this film when it came out when I was just a kid. I suppose you could say I've grown up watching films like this and 'The 'burbs' and 'Spies Like Us' and other AYKROYD/CHASE/HANKS comedies. This one however always makes me laugh. There are so many funny scenes. A film like that I can enjoy for a long time even if the plot is by-the-numbers. And especially when the opening theme song is this cool.

The DVD is in Dolby 2.0 Surround and is anamorphically enhanced at 1.78:1. The only extra is a trailer which features scenes not in the movie.