- Starring
- Tom Hanks, Carrie Fisher, Bruce Dern, Corey Feldman, Rick Ducommun, Henry Gibson
- Director
- Joe Dante
- Rating
- PG
- Genre
- Dark Comedy, Mystery, Thriller
- Release date
- February 17, 1989
- Where to watch
- Vudu (rent or buy), Amazon Prime (rent or buy)
Overall Score
Rating Overview
Rating Summary
The Burbs” is a film that will be remembered for its unique blend of suspense, dark humor and its all-star cast. Directed by Joe Dante, the film tells the story of a suburban neighborhood where strange and mysterious things begin to happen when a new family moves in next door. The film is a perfect blend of genres and it is a must-watch for anyone who loves a good mystery and dark comedy.
The Burbs
The film’s biggest strength is its cast, led by Tom Hanks in one of his most memorable comedic roles. He perfectly captures the paranoia and absurdity of the situation, and his chemistry with the rest of the cast is top-notch. Bruce Dern and Carrie Fisher also deliver strong performances, adding to the film’s comedic tone. The casting and performances of the actors were spot on; they all were able to bring their characters to life and make the audience laugh and feel the suspense.
The film’s direction is also noteworthy. Joe Dante masterfully builds tension and suspense while infusing the film with moments of dark humor. The film’s special effects, particularly the gory finale, are also well done and add to the film’s overall sense of unease.
The film’s pacing, although it starts off slowly, the second half picks up the pace, and the climax is both suspenseful and satisfying. The film’s ending leaves the audience with a sense of satisfaction and closure, making it a complete film.
In conclusion, “The Burbs” is a film that should not be missed. With a talented cast, exceptional direction, and a unique blend of genres, it’s a film that will be remembered for a long time. It’s not without its flaws, but it’s an enjoyable film that will keep you on the edge of your seat. It’s a terrific blend of suspense, dark humor, and mystery that will keep you entertained throughout. It’s a movie that will leave you wanting more, and it’s a definite must-watch for anyone who loves mystery and dark comedy.
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James Carrick
James Carrick is a passionate film enthusiast with a degree in theater and philosophy. James approaches dramatic criticism from a philosophic foundation grounded in aesthetics and ethics, offering insight and analysis that reveals layers of cinematic narrative with a touch of irreverence and a dash of snark.
Many years ago, when the first live-action Transformers movie was released on DVD, I didn’t know if I wanted to follow the hype and watch it. I had never seen any Transformers cartoons before and didn’t know what the fuss would be about. So I went to the library and picked up a Season One boxed set of the original Transformers cartoon. When I brought the box to the circulation desk to be unlocked, the clerk on duty looked at me with surprise that I had chosen to watch the cartoon instead of the hyped up Michael Bay movie. Since then, whenever a modern reboot comes out, I usually like to check out the original or best-known version first if I can find it. I figure it must have had something special in it if modern filmmakers are trying to copy it or steal its thunder. This strategy has worked well for me.
The Burbs is your standard 1980s family adventure movie premise. In the heart of an ordinary suburban neighborhood street, strange new people move into the crumbling, poorly-maintained house across the way and the previous family occupying that house disappeared under mysterious circumstances. Suspicious things happen around that house, so it’s up to our heroes to investigate and solve the mystery. However, our heroes are not a group of curious and resourceful young boys or intrepid and adventurous teenagers. Our heroes are a trio of fully-grown men. And they’re not normality-obsessed suburban caricatures you’d find in a bad Twilight Zone reboot warning against the dangers of prejudice: they’re ordinary men with their own silly quirks and a desire to protect the sanctity of their homes. These three men are also joined by their wives, who love their husbands but try to rein in their overactive imaginations and their crazy antics before they get carried away and end up alienating the neighbors and destroying the whole neighborhood.
The Burbs has a few relics of the 1980s in terms of the fashions and some of the stereotypes presented. I like going back to a time when plots weren’t so heavily sanitized and algorithmically determined and characters weren’t constantly dog-piling all over each other trying to gun for social status and audience approval. The humor is cartoonish and prone to slapstick, but well-timed and not over-the-top. The only major effects used are lighting effects and not nauseating camera angles or digital filtering. Carrie Fisher’s character can bicker with her husband and show disapproval for his escapades that get him into deep trouble without being shrill, hateful or controlling because you know she cares about him. Just as the heroes’ imaginations get the better of them, many of the “clues” planted have an ambiguous nature; they’re unsettling and unpleasant to be sure, but the viewer is kept guessing because despite the wild speculation, most of the time you can’t really be sure about what you’re seeing and whether or not there actually is a plausible explanation for it.
Invite your all friends, pull up a folding chair, bring out the boom box, call the pizza guy and enjoy the show. You’ll love this street.
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