Movie Reviews: Condorman
Comic book writer Woodrow 'Woody' Wilkins refuses to have any of his creations do anything that cannot actually be done in real life. To that end he tries to come up with a working pair of wings that can make him fly like his latest creation Condorman. Wilkins also somehow convinces a friend in the CIA to let him participate in a courier mission meeting with a beautiful Russian agent, Natalia. When it is later revealed that the Russian agent wishes to defect, but only if Condorman is the one to take care of it. Thus begins a merry romp where Wilkins and Natalia are chased all over Europe by agents of the KGB who are rather reluctant to let Natalia to join those capital pigs.
This film was a lot of fun, but I still can't see poor old Michael Crawford as anybody else than bumbling oaf Frank Spencer from Some Mother Do 'Ave 'Em. Crawford has had many successful performances as the Phantom of the Opera in the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical amongst other things, but to some people (myself included) he was never better when he was 'getting articulated'. Crawford does well as the marginally more competent hero, however. Is American accent is a bit wobbly though.
Oliver Reed hams it up wonderfully as Krokov, the lead KGB agent after Natalia. He is the sort of actor that can be relied on to provide the ham and he doesn't disappoint here.
There are plenty of exciting actions scenes to be had whether it was a thrilling car chase, boat chase, or even a cable car chase. The chases usually ended with the villains exploding in spectacular fashion. I did wonder how the KGB managed to get such cool-looking cars when you would assume they would be a symbol of the decadent West. Oh well, maybe it's best if you don't think about that sort of thing and just enjoy the silliness.
Three pointy hats.