Big Trouble [2002]

Big Trouble is a very underrated and undemanding comedy you can watch any time you want. Directed by Barry Sonnenfeld (The Addams Family, Men in Black, Wild Wild West) and based on a novel by Dave Barry it offers tight storytelling and snappy dialogues. The cast is full of familiar faces and those who are on their way to becoming familiar like Ben Foster or Zooey Deschanel. We follow several bizarre and very ordinary characters as they’re about to come crashing together in one glorious plot.

The story takes place in Miami also known as the Magic City and magic it will be. The story starts innocently enough but soon escalates to unbelievable proportions. Now, the pacing is a bit too leisurely for my taste but this also makes the whole movie much easier to watch. Luckily, things also start happening pretty quickly. I’m not the biggest Tim Allen fan but this is not a Tim Allen movie same as Galaxy Quest for example. Just wanted to say that because he’s the lead here.

Arthur Herk made a very wrong decision when he stole money from the mafia. I mean, what did he expect was going to happen? Now, there are two hitmen on their way to whack him in his own home. However, at the same, two teenagers are also on a mission. Mission to squirt someone with their squirt gun. How this is going to tie with the FBI, Police, Russian criminals, hippies, and others is up to you to find out.

With a runtime of just eighty minutes, Big Trouble will be over before you know it. It’s not going to blow you away but it will definitely surprise you. If you’re reading that plot summary and thinking boy this is totally crazy, I have to remind you that crazier things have happened in those parts. Did you hear a story about how one Miami mobster tried to buy a Russian submarine? Well, I recommend you check out the documentary Operation Odessa as soon as possible if you want to know more.

Now that’s a pretty classic Florida Man edition right there. Finally, I would like to add that Big Trouble feels a bit snobby and quirky but still offers enough fun to warrant a viewing.

Director: Barry Sonnenfeld

Writers: Dave Barry, Robert Ramsey, Matthew Stone

Cast: Tim Allen, Rene Russo, Stanley Tucci, Tom Sizemore, Ben Foster, Zooey Deschanel, Jason Lee

Fun Facts: Barry Sonnenfeld delivered the film to the studio $1 million under budget.

Rating:

IMDb Link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0246464/